As with this car's CUPRA Born VZ clone, it's hard to imagine why this model wasn't envisioned at the outset in Dual Motor AWD form, as is the case with quite a few better value rivals, including one - the Skoda Elroq vRS - riding on the exactly the same MEB platform.
A rear-driven confection with a lot less power for much the same sort of money as those competitors doesn't immediately sound too appealing, but there are arguments in Volkswagen's favour here. Dual motor opposition EV hot hatches in this segment all make you pay heavily for their twin motor traction with dramatically reduced EV drive range figures. The only one that doesn't - that Elroq vRS - can't match this ID.3 GTX for driver appeal.
The problem though for Volkswagen is that you'd feel even more of that in a Born VZ. Still, the ID.3 GTX Performance feels less 'mid-life crisis' than that CUPRA or many of its other rivals. You'll slot it into the office car park without the boss lifting an amused eyebrow. And you'll feel, as so often with a Volkswagen, that you've made perhaps not the best choice in the segment but possibly the cleverest one.

Discover pro navigation with 12.9" screen

Leather wrapped multifunction heated steering wheel with touch control

Isofix child seat preparation easy-fit (for two outer rear seats, and front passenger seat) compatible with I-size

Automatically front heated washer nozzles

2 USB C ports in front, 2 USB charging sockets on the centre console in the rear charging capacity upto 45W

Adaptive Chassis Control DCC including Driving Profile Selection

Art velour ECO microfleece upholstery with top sport seat plus

Ergoactive seats in front with power adjustment, memory feature and adjustable thigh support

Rear tinted glass from B-pillar backwards approx 65% tinted

Air Care climatronic 2 zone air conditioning

Separate LED daytime running lights which also perform the indicator function

LED rear tail lights with dynamic turn signal

Remote electrically foldable door mirrors, puddle lights and reverse activated passenger's door mirror

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins)

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins)

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins)

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins)

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years

Man Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty

Volkswagen ID.3

240kW GTX Performance 79kWh 5dr Auto