Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance

Overview

Volkswagen cranks up the excitement with the ID.3 GTX Performance, the hottest version of its popular electric hatchback. This pocket rocket aims to thrill, blending everyday usability with a serious performance punch thanks to its potent rear-wheel-drive setup. It’s the ID.3 for those who crave more spice and engagement on their daily commute or weekend blasts. In Europe, expect the new ID.3 GTX Performance to be priced from around €52,295, with nearly-new examples close to €51,890, positioning it as a premium electric hot hatch ready to take on rivals.

What's New for 2025?

The big news for the ID.3 in 2025 is undoubtedly the arrival of this fire-breathing GTX Performance trim! It transforms the sensible hatch with a significantly more powerful motor, a sport-tuned chassis for sharper handling, and aggressive GTX-specific styling cues inside and out. Think bespoke bumpers, unique alloy wheels, and sporty interior accents. Alongside the performance upgrades, it benefits from Volkswagen's latest generation infotainment system, featuring a larger, more responsive touchscreen and improved software, making the tech experience much slicker than earlier ID.3s.

Design & Exterior

The ID.3 GTX Performance isn't shy about its sporty intentions. It flaunts a more aggressive look with unique GTX bumpers featuring a distinctive honeycomb grille and arrow-shaped daytime running lights. Gloss black accents abound, and it rides on striking 20-inch 'Skagen' alloy wheels that properly fill the arches. Full LED lighting, including optional IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, enhances its modern appeal. Dimensionally, it measures 4264 mm in length, 1809 mm in width (excluding mirrors), and 1564 mm in height, maintaining a compact yet purposeful stance.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the ID.3 GTX Performance, and you're greeted by a cabin that echoes its sporty exterior. Premium sports seats with distinctive GTX lettering and red contrast stitching offer excellent support. While some hard plastics remain, material quality has seen an uplift. Passenger space is decent for a hatch, seating five. The latest-gen infotainment steals the show, boasting a crisp 12.9-inch central display and a smaller digital driver’s screen, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Cargo is practical at 385 litres, expanding to 1267 litres with seats down, though there's no frunk.

Performance & Driving Experience

This is where the ID.3 GTX Performance truly shines! Its potent single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) sends a thrilling 240 kW and a hefty 545 Nm of torque exclusively to the rear wheels. Naught to 100 km/h is dispatched in a blistering 5.7 seconds, with a top speed of 200 km/h. Expect properly engaging handling thanks to a stiffer sports suspension and responsive steering, making it a hoot on twisty roads. The RWD setup offers a purer driving feel, and robust regenerative braking helps recapture energy efficiently.

Range, Battery & Charging

The ID.3 GTX Performance packs a 79 kWh usable battery, delivering Green Cars Compare's calculated 'real-world' range estimate of around 511 kilometres, with an efficiency of 6.47 km/kWh. For AC charging, its standard 11 kW on-board charger will juice it up from empty in about 7-8 hours via its CCS Type 2 port. When you're out and about, its 400V architecture supports DC fast charging at up to 185 kW, meaning a 10-80% top-up can take as little as 26 minutes. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability is also anticipated.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is paramount, and the Volkswagen ID.3 lineup, including the GTX, boasts a top 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Standard assistance includes Front Assist with emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, plus Lane Assist. For more relaxed cruising, the optional 'IQ.DRIVE Assist' package typically bundles Adaptive Cruise Control with stop & go, Travel Assist for semi-autonomous driving, and enhanced parking aids like Park Assist Plus with memory function. Blind-spot monitoring is also usually available, often as part of an assistance pack, ensuring you’re well covered.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Volkswagen typically offers a 2-year/unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty in Europe for the ID.3 GTX Performance, though some markets may offer longer terms up to 5 years. Crucially, the high-voltage battery is covered for 8 years or 160,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, guaranteeing at least 70% of its original usable capacity. Powertrain components often share this robust battery warranty. Maintenance is minimal thanks to its EV nature, primarily involving checks for brakes, tyres, and cabin filters, keeping running costs relatively low compared to petrol hot hatches.