The Volkswagen ID. 3 has received an update for 2023 that improves the vehicle's looks, interior materials, and also software gremlins and issues that have plagued the vehicle since launch. To our dismay, the vehicle isn't sold in the US, but the updates here will most likely preview updates to the ID. 4.

The update appears to focus a lot on the car's design which is great, but most of the criticism of the vehicle has been over the software since it debuted. Luckily, VW rolled out a major update to the ID. 4 last year that was meant to address owner concerns and it seems that update is also coming to the ID. 3.

The ID.3, like the ID.4 has a good-looking design, although one that some may have considered bland. VW apparently agreed, because most of the changes to the outside are meant to give the car a little more character. The vehicle's now more sharpened and angular in places, with the company adding to the car's design without drastically changing it.

New air-cooling openings were added to the front that gives the car a more commanding presence and adds better cooling to the front wheels. The black strip under the windshield was also removed so the hood looks longer and sleeker. The taillights are still separated unlike the vehicle's siblings and appear mostly unchanged as does most of the rest of the outside of the car. New colors have been added, like Dark Olivine Green, which we have to say looks pretty good on the little car.

The interior sees more substantial updates. First of all, VW has recently announced that all of the ID. models will be getting more sustainable materials, many of which have been previewed on the ID. Buzz. VW is now using the microfiber material Artvelours Eco on the door trims and seat covers which is made of 71% recycled material from plastic waste. The interior also features more soft-touch surfaces to make it more comfortable, and all of it is now animal-free.

The newest software is already loaded into the system and is now operated on the newly standard 12-inch touch display and previously standard 5.3-inch display screen. A new menu structure has also been implemented, with better access to charging menus and a better layout. Unfortunately, the annoying steering wheel-mounted controls look to still be in place, though we know the company is moving away from them.

The updated software brings some great new features like Intelligent Vehicle Route Planner that will allow you to use your navigation to choose a route that features specific charging stops that are calculated to allow you to reach your destination in the shortest amount of time. It's a cool feature that will use different calculations to decide if one, lower power charging stop is better for your trip or two high-powered ones.

The car also features a cool heads-up display system and Travel Assist with swarm data that is fancy wording for adaptive cruise control and a lane-keeping assist for use with navigation on certain rides.

Plug & Charge has also come to the car which will make charging the car much easier since there will be less fiddling with apps and cars. Most of these features will find their way to the ID. 4 through software updates if they haven't already and the total package will make for a much-improved driving experience.