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VW ID.3 vs VW ID.5
At a glance
The VW ID.3 was replaced by the VW ID.3 Neo in 2026. Compare the VW ID.3 Neo with the VW ID.5
In this comparison, VW ID.3 leads on charging speed, running costs and city driving, while the VW ID.5 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the VW ID.3 if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the VW ID.5 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW ID.3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueID.5
ID.3
6.2
ID.5
7.4
Motorway RangeID.5
ID.3
5.6
ID.5
6.7
FamilyID.5
ID.3
7.4
ID.5
8.3
ChargingID.3
ID.3
6.5
ID.5
5.7
Cost Per MileID.3
ID.3
8.4
ID.5
7.5
City DrivingID.3
ID.3
8.1
ID.5
6.3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
Size Comparison
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VW ID.3
VW ID.5
Length
VW ID.34,264mm-335mm
VW ID.54,599mm
Width
VW ID.31,809mm-43mm
VW ID.51,852mm
Height
VW ID.31,564mm-54mm
VW ID.51,618mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | VW ID.3Pure Essential | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,264 mm | 4,599 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,809 mm (better) | 1,852 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,015 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,564 mm | 1,618 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.2 m | 10.2 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 591 mm spare (better) | 548 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
VW ID.3
- Peak DC charging of 145 kW, faster than 90% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- 2,770 mm wheelbase, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
VW ID.5
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  VW ID.3 Pure Essential |  VW ID.5 Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.26m | 4.60m+335mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.85m+43mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.02m | Not available |
| Height | 1.56m | 1.62m+54mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.77m+1mm |
| Ground Clearance | 150mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 385L | 539L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1267L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.2m | 10.2m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,787kg (better) | 2,128kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,000kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 52kWh | 79kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 241 mi | 352 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 145kW | 165kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,860 (better) | £36,995 |
| Price after EV grant | £30,860 (not eligible) | £35,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2024–2026 | 2026+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | VW ID.3Pure Essential | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 241 miles | 352 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 201 miles | 293 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 25 min (better) | 29 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 145 kW | 165 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.2 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 52 kWh | 79 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
VW ID.3
Pure Essential
VW ID.5
Pro Essential
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - VW ID.3 Pure Essential
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users78%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - VW ID.5 Pro Essential
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist85%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
VW ID.3
Pure Essential
Owners love
- The 2023 facelift brought better interior materials than the early cars
- Spacious and comfortable inside for a Golf-sized hatchback, with a 385-litre boot
- Rapid charging is quick, with owners reporting 10-80% in around 25 minutes on a fast charger
Watch out for
- The infotainment still draws complaints for glitches and fiddly menus despite updates
- The touch sliders for volume and temperature are imprecise to use while driving
- Winter range drops noticeably, with owners quoting around 200-215 miles from a 240-mile car in the cold
Owner tips
- Check whether the car has the heat pump if you do a lot of winter driving, and use preconditioning while plugged in
- Test the infotainment and touch controls properly on the test drive
VW ID.5
Pro Essential
Owners love
- Owners praise the design, interior quality and the roomy rear with no centre tunnel.
- It is easy to live with as a first EV, with a comfortable ride and low servicing costs.
- The adjustable regenerative braking works well for everyday driving.
Watch out for
- Touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard are easy to press by accident.
- Some owners report app problems, such as wrong charge or range readings when used with smart chargers.
- One owner reports key fob batteries draining within about a month.
Owner tips
- Test the touch controls carefully on the test drive.
- Set charging schedules in the car rather than through several apps at once.
Buying options
Get a quote
VW ID.3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
VW ID.3
- £26,2992025Car360View
- £20,9922024Car360View
- £21,6992025Car360View
VW ID.5
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW ID.5 worth the extra £6,135 over the VW ID.3?
The VW ID.5 costs £6,135 more than the VW ID.3. For that premium it adds 111 miles more WLTP range, 154 litres more boot space and 85 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the VW ID.3 or the VW ID.5?
The VW ID.3 is £6,135 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the VW ID.3 comes out roughly £6,175 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the VW ID.3 and VW ID.5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 201 miles for the VW ID.3 and 293 miles for the VW ID.5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The VW ID.5 goes roughly 93 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 25-29 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the VW ID.3 or the VW ID.5?
The VW ID.3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 43 mm narrower than the VW ID.5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 591 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.3 and about 548 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the VW ID.3 or the VW ID.5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the VW ID.3 and 84% for the VW ID.5. That gives the VW ID.3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More VW ID.3 comparisons
More VW ID.5 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the VW ID.3 and VW ID.5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the VW ID.3 and VW ID.5 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the VW ID.3 and VW ID.5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the VW ID.3 and VW ID.5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the VW ID.3 and VW ID.5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the VW ID.3 and VW ID.5 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .