Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Review

Read Caroline’s Volkswagen ID.3 GTX review for everything you need to know about buying Volkswagen’s electric hatchback in Ireland.

The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX is the most performance-focused version of VW’s electric hatchback yet, bringing up to 326hp through the rear wheels and a series of upgrades to help it manage that extra power.

Priced from €38,695 on the road for the GTX, or from €40,440 for the GTX Performance Plus tested here, it lines up against rivals such as the Cupra Born VZ, Alpine A290 and Smart #1 Brabus.

But the big question remains – is this a true hot hatch or simply a faster ID.3?

Design

The ID.3 is a smart, compact design that was quite a departure for the brand when it first appeared in 2019. It looks particularly sharp with all the sporty trimmings of the GTX and finished in King’s Red Metallic, though other colours are available too.

The GTX has a pleasant low, sporty stance. You can spot the GTX thanks to sportier bumpers front and rear, GTX badges and 20-inch alloy wheels, optionally available in black. At the front, the GTX has matrix LED headlights as standard and distinctive new LED arrowhead daytime running lights. There is also a special diamond design in the front air intake, finished in gloss black.

Wing mirror caps are painted black, plus aggressive new side sills that will please most boy racers and a sporty diffuser effect in the rear bumper.

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Interior

The ID.3’s minimalist cabin was initially a shock compared to previous VW models, but it has matured and in GTX trim, it feels both sportier and higher quality.

Highlights include sports seats with power adjustment and even plusher upholstery for the Performance Plus model I tested. There’s also a unique GTX steering wheel and dashboard trim with red stitching.

Like all new versions of the ID.3, the GTX gets the new 12.9-inch touchscreen that appears in other Volkswagen models too. It’s far better than earlier models, with new graphics and menus, clearer layout and shortcuts, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Ventilation controls are in the screen as before, while the sliders underneath for the temperature are now backlit at night.

Battery pre-conditioning is also included and can be set manually or automatically through the navigation system.

The GTX has a high spec including heated front seats, heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, Harman Kardon sound system and a parking camera.

Practicality

Volkswagen has improved practicality too with larger battery versions of the ID.3 like the GTX now coming with five seats (they used to be four seat only). There’s a good amount of legroom for rear seat passengers though headroom could feel tight for very tall adults. There are handy features like USB-C points and Isofix on the two outer seats and front passenger seat.

The boot comes in at 385 litres, which is good for a hatchback though there is no adjustable boot floor or place to store charging cables separately.

Driving the ID.3 GTX

The standard ID.3 offers 170–204hp, but the GTX ramps things up significantly. The standard GTX has 286hp, while the GTX Performance Plus tested here produces 326hp and 560Nm of torque, hitting 0-100km/h in just 5.7 seconds.

Performance upgrades include progressive steering, retuned suspension with stiffer springs and dampers, and Dynamic Chassis Control comes as standard on the Performance Plus.

On the road, the GTX offers sharp and responsive handling, and can turn into a corner with some real talent, and exit it with even more speed thanks to the rear mounted electric motor. It’s possible to get into a nice rhythm with the car on a twisty, mountain road. It’s fast and capable, but it doesn’t yet deliver the noise and engagement of a true Golf GTI, and that’s likely why VW uses the GTX badge.

The GTX rides a tad firm so you do feel the road underneath you but it’s never noisy or jarring. The DCC helps a lot to fine tune the firmness.

Battery and efficiency

The GTX uses the largest battery available in the ID.3 range, which is now a 79kWh (net) lithium-ion pack. Range figures are impressive: up to 605 kilometres (WLTP) in the standard GTX and 595 kilometres in the Performance Plus. While consumption can creep up when you’re pushing on or in high speed motorway driving, it’s quite respectable otherwise. And because the range is so good, there’s no such thing as range anxiety in the ID.3 GTX. This gives it a distinct edge over electric hot hatches like the A290 and the Smart #1 Brabus.

Charging

Charging speeds are respectable too: up to 185kW DC for a 10–80% charge in about 30 minutes, while 11kW AC is also included.

Verdict

The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX is the most exciting version of VW’s electric hatchback to date. With sporty styling, lavish interior, generous equipment and up to 326hp through the rear wheels, it brings genuine pace and polish to the ID.3 line-up.

It’s not quite a full-on hot hatch in the mould of a Golf GTI, but the GTX is a lot cheaper to buy and run, while still being fast and fun in its own way.

If you’re looking for an electric hatchback that feels a bit more special than most, the ID.3 GTX is definitely worth a look.

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX video review

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year