Volkswagen ID.3 vs. Volkswagen Golf — 5 Year Cost of Ownership Comparisons

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Tagging onto my article from yesterday on Volkswagen ID.3 cost of ownership versus cost of ownership of the Renault Megane or Skoda Octavia in Germany, here’s a brief followup for perhaps a more common comparison vehicle — the Volkswagen Golf.

The ID.3, in the eyes of many, is basically intended to replace the Golf — over time. The question I and many others have is: how long will it take for that happen? That depends on many factors, but two of the bigger ones are 1) the ID.3 becoming considerably cheaper than the Golf (in terms of cost of ownership initially, and then upfront cost), 2) people becoming aware of that.

So, let’s look at how a few cost of ownership scenarios could play out in the next 5 years in Germany.

Volkswagen ID.3 vs. Volkswagen Golf
20,000 km/year, €2/l

This first comparison includes an assumption that you drive 20,000 kilometers a year on average and the price of petrol is €2 per liter on average over the course of the 5 years. More assumptions are shown under the chart.

Volkswagen ID.3 vs. Volkswagen Golf
15,000 km/year, €1.5/l

This second comparison includes an assumption that you drive 15,000 kilometers a year on average and the price of petrol is €1.5 per liter on average over the course of the 5 years. More assumptions are shown under the chart.

The same notes on assumptions and Volkswagen ID.3 specs and features I included in the bottom of yesterday’s article are included here again:

Notes on Assumptions

I strongly encourage you to use your own best estimate for your situation. (You can copy my sheet for this analysis and input your own assumptions.) Some of the assumptions I used are included below.

You could also lower the price of electricity significantly if you assumed cheaper charging from rooftop solar arrays, free workplace charging, or free charging elsewhere. Or you could assume a higher price to charge if you assume frequent use of paid, high-power, more expensive charging (on the Ionity network, for example).

Naturally, the price of petrol — assumed to be an average of either €1.50/l or €2/l over the 5 year ownership period — has a notable impact on price and can be adjusted to whatever you think is most sensible.

Resale value is a complicated matter. I personally think I’m being conservative with the assumptions here, because I think a combination of city policies requiring clean cars and the Osborne effect will destroy the resale value of fossil fuel vehicles within 5 years while the value of good electric vehicles will hold strong. But we’ll see.

Several other assumptions can be modified as well — €3,000 down payment, 5 year loan, 4% interest, purchase price, incentives. Take your best guess and feel free to share your assumptions and results down in the comments!

9 Volkswagen ID.3 Options

The first 7 models below — some of which were used for the total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis and some of which weren’t — have 420 km (260 miles) of range (WLTP), 58 kWh batteries (net energy capacity), and 150 kW rear-wheel-drive powertrains. They can go from 0 to 60 km/h (37 mph) in 3.4 seconds.

There’s also an ID.3 Pure model with lower range (330 km/205 miles), but I’ve decided to exclude it from these initial comparisons since Volkswagen practically hid it in the announcement and I don’t expect it to be a top choice of consumers. Though, I do expect to come back to it for some future pieces focused specifically on that option.

ID.3 Pro Performance

• €35,575
• range-optimized navigation
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• base model — all other models have the above features

ID.3 Life

• €37,788
• heated steering wheel
• heated seats
• two additional USB-C ports

ID.3 Style

• €40,946
• matrix LED headlamps
• LED tail lights with dynamic swiping function
• panoramic glass roof

ID.3 Business

• €41,287
• matrix LED headlamps
• tinted windows
• heated steering wheel
• heated seats
• two additional USB-C ports
• rear-view camera
• Keyless Access

ID.3 Family

• €42,306
• 2-zone “Air Care” air conditioning
• heated steering wheel
• heated seats
• two additional USB-C ports
• matrix LED headlamps
• large panoramic glass roof
• rear-view camera
• Keyless Access

ID.3 Tech

• €44,810
• matrix LED headlamps
• Travel Assist
• Side Assist
• Emergency Assist
• Head-up Display
• Premium Sound package

ID.3 Max

• €43,680
• “all the equipment packages”
• electric 12-way massage seat
• progressive steering and DCC (Dynamic Cruise Control)

Want a bigger battery? …

ID.3 ProS

• €40,936
• bigger battery (77 kWh battery), based on ID.3 ProS trim
• 550 km (342 miles) of range (WLTP)
• 125 kW DC charging
• not clear if it has any other extra features

ID.3 Tour

• €45,917
• bigger battery (77 kWh battery), based on ID.3 ProS trim
• 550 km (342 miles) of range (WLTP)
• 125 kW DC charging
• Head-up Display and Sound package
• matrix LED headlamps
• 12-way massage seat
• heated steering wheel
• heated seats
• two additional USB-C ports
• assistant package with all driver assistance systems
• 19-inch aluminum wheels.