Test drive Volkswagen iD.3 77 kWh 2024: the electric city car improves

The Volkswagen iD.3 is an old acquaintance of our test team, a model we tested two years ago with the 58 kWh battery, but it has now been updated with significant changes that we tell you about in this test of the Volkswagen iD.3 77 kWh 2024.

The city car improves in quality and efficiency, a difficult feat with its 20-inch wheels (fitted on our test unit), and easily exceeds 500 km of range.

Updated design, better-quality materials

The VW iD.3 2024 has received a slight exterior update, with a new front bumper that incorporates two side air intakes, and minor changes that improve its efficiency. It comes as standard with 19-inch wheels (which are already quite large), but the “More” trim adds newly designed 20-inch wheels, optimised for efficiency (although with a striking design).

Inside, the quality of the finishes has been improved, which was necessary, and it shows. The central part of the dashboard is finished in a material that imitates leather, with white contrast stitching and a soft touch. The front doors (only the front ones) have replaced the hard plastic with a softer, more pleasant finish.

Finally, the interior soundproofing has been improved, and small interior details now have better fit and finish. That said, the steering wheel buttons are still touch-sensitive (even though the brand announced it would return to traditional buttons).

Improved and optimised multimedia system

Another point the previous generation needed to improve was the multimedia system interface, from which everything in the car is controlled. The brand has now improved it, with correct operation, but nothing more.

However, it remains impractical to control everything, from the climate system to the assistance systems, from the same screen, with a precision that, although improved, is still far from fully practical.

One detail they have not updated, and which many electric cars neglect, is the sound system made up of 5 speakers (4+1), which has only fair quality. It is a pity that there is no optional system with better performance, like those offered on other city models from the German brand.

Engine and handling: stable and comfortable

Pending the iD.3 GTX, the two battery versions (58 and 77 kWh) currently share the same electric motor with 204 CV of power. It has more than enough power for all kinds of journeys and situations, even with the car fully loaded.

The iD.3 is a very comfortable car, with some concessions to dynamism, but it is not a sports car and it shows. Its rear-wheel drive can be fun and adds a touch of dynamism, but it is not designed for that role and its dynamic behaviour is merely correct.

Where it stands out most is comfort, although its suspension is rather firm, without penalising comfort too much. Added to the improved interior soundproofing, this gives us a comfortable and smooth car for travelling.

Battery, charging, consumption and range: more than 500 km

The improved efficiency, combined with the 77 kWh battery, is noticeable when it comes to really good range. In mixed conditions that combine urban stretches with country roads, the consumption sits between 14-15 kWh per 100 km, we covered 200 km on national roads with this average consumption, and in the city we brought it down to 13.9 kWh per 100 km. With these figures we would reach 500 km, and if the usual route is entirely urban, we could even go a little further.

On motorway the consumption ranged between 18 and 22 kWh per 100 km, on the first run the car was lightly loaded and the weather was favourable, while on the second run it was loaded and the weather was unfavourable (cold, air conditioning running, wind and rain). This gives us a theoretical motorway range (at 120 km/h) of close to 400 km.

Our 77 kWh version has a charging power of up to 170 kW, needing around 30 minutes to charge from 0 to 80% battery. It is true that in the various charging sessions we carried out, that charging potential was maintained up to 40%, after which the power drops off as usual.

Charging at other, non-fast chargers accepts a maximum of 11 kW, so filling its 77 kWh requires 7 hours and 30 minutes.

After more than 3,000 km covered, 1,300 km of which were on motorway at 120 km/h, the final average consumption is 16.5 kWh per 100 km, a really good figure.

Personal opinion and price of the Volkswagen iD.3 77 kWh 2024

The iD.3 update has really done it good, improving quality and finishes, making it a much more recommendable product. It still has some details to refine, but the value for money is balanced.

The 77 kWh version is recommended for those who regularly have travelling plans, since that is where a larger battery makes the most sense. Being efficient and with reasonable charging times, it is true that its 11 kW on-board charger is slow for this battery if we use public charging points.

It is worth highlighting the enormous comfort of its seats, with a good body fit, which allow us to use the iD.3 day to day or make a journey without feeling the strain. In addition, the rear seats, having no central tunnel, are spacious with room for feet and head.

The Volkswagen iD.3 2024 is available from 38,540 euros with the 58 kWh battery and from 41,725 euros for the 77 kWh battery.

Photos | Test team