Volkswagen ID 3 GTX review: better than a Golf GTI?
It's quite an important car, this one.
Not only is it the first Volkswagen hot hatch powered exclusively by electricity, but it's also the first to be sold with rear-wheel drive only.
It's the new Volkswagen ID 3 GTX, a car with the unenviable task of continuing Volkswagen's hot-hatch legacy into the brave new world of electric motors and batteries.
In this review, we're going to ask whether it has what it takes to live up to this, and if it can truly be called the Golf GTI of electric cars.
Let's start with the reason why it exists: performance. With 322bhp and 402lb ft, the ID 3 GTX is already quite a lot more powerful than its combustion equivalent - the Golf GTI.
Despite weighing 2000kg, it has a brisk 0-62mph time of 5.7sec, placing it into direct competition with the heavily related Cupra Born VZ.
You can also have a lower-powered version with 282bhp and 402lb ft of torque, but this will not be sold in the UK. It comes with a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.9sec, which is still pretty quick.
As with every Volkswagen to have ever worn the GTX badge - such as the ID 4 and ID Buzz - the ID 3 gets a number of unique and sporty styling touches. These include a restyled front bumper with a high-gloss central black air intake and arrow-shaped LED daytime-running lights.
You also get a redesigned diffuser within the lower section of the rear bumper, as well as 20in alloys fitted as standard. These can be ordered in black as an option.
More sporting touches can be found inside, including a flat-bottom steering wheel with red highlights and GTX badging on the bottom spoke.
You can also have body-hugging sports seats upholstered in either fabric or synthetic leather. To liven them up a bit, they also have red stitching and perforated GTX logos mounted on the backrest.
The seats themselves are also positioned quite high, even when they're mounted in their lowest position. This is a result of the ID 3 GTX's platform - called MEB - that underpins every other electric Volkswagen, and goes against the car's sporting brief.
As usual in a Volkswagen, you get a 12.9in infotainment touchscreen with built-in voice control and ChatGPT AI. Generally, this infotainment system is fine to use, and its menu structures are something you can get used to. But it's far from the most intuitive system in the world.
As with all other ID 3 models, there’s 385 litres of luggage space at the rear, which can be expanded to 1267 litres when the rear seats are folded down, but there is no frunk like you get on a Tesla Model 3.
But what about performance? Specifically, the way this car delivers its power. After all, that's one of the main reasons why you would buy a sporty GTX model from Volkswagen.
Power comes from Volkswagen's new AP550 electric motor, which features noticeably stronger acceleration than older units used in other cars. This means it has great response, despite the heavy weight.
What's more, because it's electric it is very refined, which means it is easy and relaxing to drive for longer distances.
To help it with that, you get a new 79kWh lithium ion battery with an overall range of up to 375 miles. It also charges 15kW faster, which means you can top up from 10%-80% in 26 minutes at a compatible fast charger.
As for the way it handles, Volkswagen has tried to sharpen up the steering and chassis by giving the car re-tuned springs and dampers, as well as subtle tweaks to the steering and brakes.
Overall, the changes make it a rewarding car to drive, being direct and very precise in its cornering ability.
What's more, you can specify the car with upgraded Bridgestone Turanza tyres to provide plenty of front-end grip, and the stability control lets you have some fun in the corners without interfering too much.
One complaint we do have, though, is that the steering doesn't provide any sort of meaningful feedback that you would expect in a hot hatch such as the Golf GTI. Oh, and there is no sign of enlivening driver experiences, such as Hyundai’s N e-Shift functions for the gearbox, which mimic the sound of a gear change in a combustion car.
Which brings us to the conclusion of this review. Ultimately, the ID 3 GTX lacks the interaction and engagement buyers will expect when choosing a hot hatchback, which means it struggles to keep up with the Golf GTI for outright fun.
However, it is still a very pleasant car to drive, with impressive energy efficiency, secure handling, a roomy interior and a suite of new technology. If you're in the market for a quick and involving electric car, this is well worth considering.
