Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match

We test an updated ID.3 with a new powertrain and trim level, and it could just be the sweet spot in the range

- Alex Ingram

ESSENTIALS
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match

Price: £32,220 On sale: Now
Powertrain: 52kWh battery, 1x e-motor
Power/torque: 168bhp/310Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive 0-62/top speed: 8.2 seconds/99mph
Range: 240 miles
Max charging: 145kW (10-80% in 25min) Size (L/W/H): 4,264/1,809/1,564mm 13-33

THIS is the Volkswagen ID.3 Match. Prices for this new value-focused trim and powertrain combination start from £32,220 - or about the same as a Golf Style with a 1.5 eTSI auto, which has a similar level of performance.

That price has added appeal to the ID.3 range, which looks like it’s getting better with age. When the ID.3 was launched in 2020, it’s fair to say that it was welcomed with decidedly un-rave reviews.

What must have been frustrating for VW’s engineers, who spent time, effort and money developing an all-new fully electric architecture, was that very few of our criticisms were to do with the fact it was an electric car. Instead, the ID.3 was plagued by a range of issues in areas that were previously taken for granted. We'd banged on for ages about how good build quality and ergonomics were VW staples, but both were oddly absent.