The Volkswagen ID.3 Gets A New Name, But Don’t Call It A Golf Yet

• Volkswagen’s cheapest EV is getting a big facelift next month.
• The ID.3 electric hatchback will be called ID.3 Neo.
• VW is giving its compact EV Vehicle-to-Load functionality and more physical buttons.

The Volkswagen ID.3 is in for a big facelift come April. Next month, Volkswagen’s cheapest new EV–until the ID. Polo goes on sale, anyway–will be called ID.3 Neo, and it will get several enhancements to keep customers interested until at least 2028, when the next-generation Golf will debut as an EV.

For now, we have a couple of teaser images of the new ID.3 Neo that conveniently leave out the car’s interior. However, Volkswagen said the facelifted compact electric hatchback will get more physical buttons, likely similar to the ones found on the upcoming ID. Polo and ID. Cross.

Photo by: Volkswagen

That’s great news, considering the first-gen ID.3, as well as the ID.4, made a name for themselves due to the infuriating corner-cutting employed by Volkswagen, like the touch sliders for the climate control and the lack of standalone buttons for the electric rear windows.

But there’s more. The Volkswagen ID.3 Neo will be able to export energy from its high-voltage battery, thanks to the addition of the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) bidirectional charging feature. The hatchback is equipped with a standard 230-volt household outlet inside, and an adapter that’s sold separately can be plugged into the charging port for an extra outlet. In total, the system can output up to 3.6 kilowatts of power, making it a great solution for powering camping equipment, tools, or even household appliances in a pinch.

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Source: Volkswagen

Another nice feature of the ID.3 Neo is the optional digital key that can be stored in a smartphone’s digital wallet. It works separately from the physical key fob that’s shipped with the car, allowing owners to leave the key at home and use their phones to access their vehicle.

A new “Innovision” infotainment system is also part of the pack. It includes a new app store where drivers can download their favorite audio and streaming apps, as well as activate or extend certain vehicle functions and services.

On a separate note, the ID.4 and ID.5 EVs are also getting some goodies, including a new 58-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that increases the base models’ range. A new, more efficient, and more powerful APP350 electric motor will also be fitted to the rear-wheel drive versions of the ID.4 and ID.5, replacing the old APP310 drive unit. The new motor makes 187 horsepower.

If these changes sound familiar, it’s probably because Ford recently bestowed the European Explorer and Capri EVs with the same goodies. The two crossovers are built on the same MEB platform as Volkswagen’s ID.4 and ID.5, so it’s only logical that they’re all using many of the same components.