When it comes to rule-breaking new cars, the ID.3 is right up there.

It’s Volkswagen’s next-generation electric hatchback and it’s one that the manufacturer hopes will take EV ownership mainstream. As you’d imagine there’s a lot to learn about it, so let’s dive in and take a look. The Volkswagen ID.3 has recently undergone a mid-life update which brings a slightly updated look, new tech features and a higher-quality interior. The bonnet of the ID.3 has been reshaped to include sculpted lines and the sheet metal now goes all the way up to the base of the windscreen.

The front bumper has also been reshaped, with air curtains added at the edges and the rear lights have been altered to include a two-part shape - sections on the boot lid are now illuminated. Additionally, new alloy wheel designs have been included and a new colour, Dark Olivine Green, complete the visual changes. Volkswagen has also added the ability to subscribe to ‘function on demand’ allowing the driver to buy or rent features after purchasing the car. This includes the 30-color interior ambient lighting.

What is the Volkswagen ID.3?

You know Volkswagen is serious when it starts referring to a new model in the same breath as both the Beetle and the Golf. The ID.3 is the smallest of the ID range, smaller than that of the ID.4 and ID.5. But that’s just how the company sees its first bespoke EV - the ID.3. It’s a big moment for Volkswagen as this latest car signals some real intent to move away from combustion engines towards a fully electric future.

The question is, does the ID.3 deliver? We’ve been out behind the wheel to find out.

What’s new?

Well, pretty much everything in truth. Though Volkswagen has produced electric models in the past - the e-Golf and e-Up! being two main highlights - this is the first time that it has produced an EV from the ground up, bringing a dedicated platform and a dedicated powertrain.

As such, the ID.3 brings all of the positives of an electric vehicle without the constraints of having to fit within an existing structure.

What’s it like inside?

As we’ve already mentioned, the ID.3 is based on a completely bespoke platform which means that it has been designed with the electric powertrain in mind. It allows the ID.3 to deliver plenty of interior space, with a back row which features a decent amount of legroom given the overall size of the car.

Our only quibble is with the location of the light controls; they’ve been placed between the main infotainment screen and the steering wheel, making them hard to access and difficult to operate when on the move. The boot even has a good amount of space, with 385 litres of room to offer.

What’s the spec like? 

Initially launched with the 1st Edition trim, the ID.3 arrives with a 10.0-inch infotainment display which incorporates media and navigation functions, as well as many of the heating and ventilation systems. It’s this latter area which takes the most getting used to. During our time with the car, even making slight alterations to the cabin temperature took a few minutes of delving into the systems to do. There’s also a 5.3-inch display ahead of the driver which relays key information such as range and battery charge levels.