Volkswagen id 3

SMALL CHANGES CAN make a big difference, and that’s the theory behind tweaks to the updated Volkswagen ID 3 electric car.You see, while it was an impressive car in most repects at launch, it was let down by indifferent interior quality, a clunky infotainment system and awkward controls.This updated version seeks to put things right.

Addressing the first issue, the new ID 3 features revised materials, including better-quality dashboard plastic.The door trims have also been remodelled to include softer and larger surfaces, in an effort to create a more upmarket interior feel.

The infotainment, meanwhile, has been updated to use the German brand’s latest software, which is said to make the system easier to use and quicker to respond than before. On top of that, the central touchscreen has been upgraded from 10.0in to the same 12.0in display as that found in the closely related Cupra Born.

As before, though, there are very few physical controls on the dashboard, with most functions instead being controlled via the infotainment screen or with voice commands. We’d prefer more physical controls, because they are easier and less distracting to use when you’re driving.The previous car’s awkward touch-sensitive sliders for adjusting volume and air temperature are still used, too.

New features include an augmented reality head-up display.This not only projects key driving information such as speed directly into the driver’s line of sight, but also places visual cues at the point where you need to turn, making sat-nav directions easier to follow.

The exterior has been gently tweaked, with a more angular front bumper with larger vertical air intakes. A reshaped bonnet does away with the black panel below the windscreen, with the effect of making the ID 3 look longer while also improving aerodynamics.The rear lights are new as well.

As before, all versions have a single 201bhp electric motor that drives the rear wheels.That’s good for a 0-62mph time of 7.3sec – quicker than