Volkswagen ID.3 Pro Performance

Overview

Volkswagen's compact electric hatch, the ID.3, aimed to be the Golf of the EV world, and the Pro Performance trim strikes a neat balance between everyday usability and a bit of pep. While never officially sold stateside, think of it as a funky European cousin to city-slicking EVs. As a discontinued model that ended production in 2023, new US prices aren't applicable, and it would only be found via specialized import. It’s a shame we missed out on this one, as it’s a cracking little EV that showed VW's serious electric ambitions on their MEB platform.

What's New for 2023?

For its final 2023 model year run, the ID.3 Pro Performance received a rather welcome nip-and-tuck. Volkswagen spruced up the cabin with posher materials, addressing some earlier criticisms, and made the larger 12-inch infotainment screen standard – a big plus! Software enhancements also aimed to make the user experience slicker. While these were European-market updates, they made the car a more polished package before it bowed out. It’s these little improvements that often make a big difference to daily driving, making the final version the one to hunt for if importing.

Design & Exterior

The ID.3 Pro Performance rocks that clean, unmistakably modern VW electric family look. It's a smart-looking hatchback that’s more friendly than futuristic, with smooth lines and a distinctive C-pillar design. Measuring 167.8 inches long, 71.2 inches wide (no mirrors!), and 61.1 inches tall, it’s perfectly sized for zipping through city streets. The Pro Performance trim typically featured stylish alloy wheels and LED lighting, giving it a contemporary vibe without shouting too loudly. It’s a design that’s aged well, looking fresh even as a discontinued model.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the ID.3 Pro Performance (especially the 2023 facelifted version) offers a minimalist, screen-centric dash. Material quality saw an upgrade, feeling more premium. It’s surprisingly roomy for a compact, comfortably seating five. You get a practical 13.6 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to a generous 44.7 cubic feet with the rear seats flopped down – pretty handy! No frunk, though. Tech-wise, the updated models boast a responsive 12-inch central touchscreen, usually with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keeping you connected on the go. A digital driver’s display keeps essential info right in your eyeline.

Performance & Driving Experience

This Pro Performance isn't a rocket ship, but its rear-wheel-drive setup and single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), churning out 150 kW (around 201 hp) and 229 lb-ft of torque, make it properly nippy. Expect 0-60 mph in a brisk 7.0 seconds – plenty for darting around town and confident merging. Being RWD, it’s quite fun to steer, with a composed ride that soaks up bumps nicely. VW usually offers a couple of regenerative braking modes, including a more aggressive 'B' mode for enhanced energy recovery, making for smooth, often one-pedal, progress in traffic.

Range, Battery & Charging

The ID.3 Pro Performance packs a 58 kWh usable battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of 227 miles – solid for daily duties and some weekend jaunts. Efficiency is a decent 3.91 mi/kWh. At home, its standard 11 kW on-board AC charger can top it up fully in just over 5 hours from empty. Out and about, it supports DC fast charging up to 100 kW on its 400V system, meaning a 10-80% boost could take around 35 minutes. While it uses Europe's CCS Type 2 port, a US version would typically sport a CCS Type 1.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety-wise, the ID.3 scored a top-notch 5 stars from Euro NCAP, which is reassuring. While it never faced NHTSA testing due to not being sold in the US, VW typically loads its cars with safety kit. Expect standard features like Front Assist (automatic emergency braking) and Lane Assist. Higher-spec Pro Performance models often included, or offered as options, goodies like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and Travel Assist for semi-autonomous driving support, making highway cruises a breeze. Always good to check the spec of an imported model carefully!

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Since the ID.3 Pro Performance wasn't sold in the US, there's no official US warranty. However, if it *had* been, you'd likely expect Volkswagen's typical coverage: something like a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, protecting against significant degradation. VW US also offers Carefree Maintenance, often 2 years of complimentary scheduled services. The MEB platform underpinning the ID.3 has become quite common, with reliability generally proving to be pretty decent for VW's first wave of dedicated EVs. An import would rely on specialist support.