If you thought subscription fatigue was already creeping into your streaming accounts, Volkswagen is happy to add some more to your car. Over in the UK, entry-level ID.3 Pure models, listed as having 168 hp (170 kW) on VW’s configurator, actually have just 148 hp (110 kW) unless buyers pay an extra fee. Yes, Volkswagen is charging customers more to give the power their cars already have.

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As far as subscriptions go, this one is somewhat baffling. 20 horsepower and 33 lb-ft isn’t all that much to write home about. It’s such a small boost in power that Volkswagen says it won’t affect the overall range of the ID.3 at all.

The Cost of Extra Power

British drivers can cough up £16.50 (equal to $22.50 at current exchange rates) per month for the upgrade, almost three times the price of a basic Netflix subscription, or £165 ($225) per year. If you want to skip the monthly hassle, VW also offers a one-time “lifetime” payment of £649 ($878). It’s unclear whether that’s tied to the car or your user account, but either way, it’s a lot of cash for a modest performance bump.

According to AutoExpress, the added power won’t affect insurance rates. That’s great and all, but it’s because the ID.3 is rated at 168 hp from the factory, even if you’re driving around without the upgrade and, thus, with 20 fewer ponies. Only time will tell whether or not owners figure out how to hack this system – and if they do, whether this voids Volkswagen’s warranty or not.

Volkswagen’s Defense

On its part, Volkswagen compared this approach to traditional engine lineups, where the same displacement could be offered in multiple states of tune at different price points. In a statement to the magazine, the company said:

“Offering more power to customers is nothing new… These traditionally are higher up in the product range, with more specification and a higher list price. If customers wish to have an even sportier driving experience, they now have an option to do so, within the life of the vehicle, rather than committing from the outset with a higher initial purchase price. The car is presented on the configurator with [201bhp], with the option made very clear to customers.”

Subscriptions, Subscriptions Everywhere

Obviously, the VW ID.3 is far from the only one playing the subscription game. This isn’t even the only subscription available from the German brand. It’ll also sell customers ambient lighting, navigation, voice control, and even heated seats via subscription

And it’s hardly alone. BMW, Mercedes, and Tesla all offer similar unlocks, though when it comes to performance, most rivals deliver more value per dollar.

Ford offers 100 lb-ft (135 Nm) of torque for $995, Polestar 68 more horsepower for $1,195, and Mercedes 60-110 hp for $1,200. Even gas-burning tunes from the factory offer more power per dollar than Volkswagen for doing little more than changing some code. Call me cynical, but that’s not shocking from what seems like the world’s least passionate automaker. 

For many drivers curious about switching to electric vehicles, battery longevity remains one of the most common sticking points. Despite new EVs all coming with long battery warranties, concerns about range degradation still put some potential buyers off. A recent long-term study involving a Volkswagen EV, however, suggests those fears may be less grounded than expected.

More: EV Batteries May Last Up To 40% Longer Than Expected

In test carried out by the ADAC, Germany’s equivalent to America’s AAA and the UK’s AA, a VW ID.3’s electric range had hardly changed after four years and 107,000 miles (172,000 km). The Golf-sized hatchback lost just eight miles (13 km) of range over the course of the experiment.

Real-World Battery Health After 100K+ Miles

At the outset of the test the ID.3 Pro S Tour’s 77 kWh battery delivered 272 miles (438 km) of real-world range against a claimed 326 WLTP miles (525 km). Four years laterm it was still capable of travelling 264 true miles (425 km) before needing to stop at a charging station.

And it’s not like the ADAC team treated it with kid gloves. Against automaker advice, which suggests never charging to 100 percent unless necessary so as to help prolong the battery’s lifespan, the drivers almost always charged it to full, and often left the car parked with the battery fully charged, another supposed no-no.

Independent battery checks carried out through the course of the test showed that the battery was at 96 percent after 13,500 miles (21,800 km) when the first measurement was taken, had dropped to 94 percent at 52,400 miles (84,300 km), and was still holding on to 91 percent of its capacity at 105,500 miles (169,700 km). VW’s warranty only kicks in if the battery health falls below 70 percent.

A Software Update With Real Benefits

And best of all, the EV’s efficiency actually improved over that time. At the outset it was returning 3.11 mi/kWh (20 kWh per 100 km), but by the end of the test it could achieve 3.4 mi/kWh (18.3 kWh per 100 km). The secret behind those gains was a software update the ID.3 received, which helped makes the reduction in range far less severe than it would have been otherwise for the same amount of battery degradation.

“The result shows the impressive quality of our ID. models even after covering many kilometres,” said Martin Sander, Member of the Volkswagen Board of Management for Sales, Marketing, and After Sales. “A high battery capacity of over 90 per cent after 172,000 kilometres confirms that our ID. models are also very attractive as used cars and continue to meet the requirements of our customers.”

Another big win related to charging speed. Before the update ADAC’s ID.3 charged at 125 kW, but after it was inhaling 160 kW, cutting two minutes from the 10-80 percent charge time. The message is clear: don’t put off EV software updates the way you do phone ones, and don’t stress over buying a used VW EV.

When we first laid eyes on it, we didn’t give the Nissan N7 the kindest of receptions, calling it a straight-up copy of the Xpeng P7. As it turns out, Chinese buyers clearly didn’t have a problem with its looks; they voted with their wallets and made the N7 the most popular foreign-brand car model last month.

Also: Toyota’s New Electric Flagship Sedan Takes A Shot At Tesla Model S

The N7 sedan scored 6,189 sales in June in a tight battle where the top three models were closely matched, and everyone else was two laps behind, so to speak. Buick’s GL8 New energy minivan was right on the N7’s tail, eventually recording 6,082 sales, while Toyota’s bargain-priced Platinum 3X, also known as the bZ3X, found 6,030 buyers.

Tight Competition at the Top

Trailing well behind in fourth place was Volkswagen’s ID.3 with 3,950 sales, according to data from China’s Autohome, and there was another big drop to the fifth-placed Smart #1, which 2,324 buyers took home. BMW’s i3, an electric sedan similar in shape to the N7, proved far less popular. Only 2,270 people snapped up one of those in June.

Though the Maxima-sized N7 wears Nissan badges it’s actually the result of a joint venture between the struggling Japanese company and China’s Dongfeng, and shares components with Dongfeng eπ 007. For a tempting 129,900 yuan, or roughly $17,800, the base N7 510 Pro comes with a 58 kWh LFP battery claims 317 miles (510 km) of range on the Chinese CLTC cycle.

CHINA’S FOREIGN BRAND BEST SELLERS

At the other end of the scale, the N7 625 Max features a much fuller list of standard equipment and a 73 kWh battery that claims a 388-mile (625 km) range. Bear in mind, though, that this is according to China’s testing standards, so take the range claims with a large pinch of salt.

More: Chevrolet’s Latest Electric SUV Has A Secret Chinese Twin

Power output varies by trim. Buyers can choose between 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) or 268 hp (272 PS / 200 kW), with pricing and performance adjusted accordingly. Demographics for the N7 skew young and family-oriented: 68 percent of buyers are men, 74 percent are married, and 60 percent are under 35, according to figures released by Nissan.

Currently, the N7 is a China-only model, but Nissan has already confirmed it’s exploring international markets. A global launch could be on the table under a different name, potentially reviving the old Primera badge. Just don’t expect to see it on American roads anytime soon.

Nissan

Electric flair is taking on a retro twist. While Volkswagen has signaled that the GTI nameplate will carry on in its future performance EVs, there’s still time for one last spotlight on the short-lived GTX badge. Before the GTI transition arrives, VW introduced a special edition that puts a striking spin on its current electric lineup called the ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice.

Evolving from last year’s vibrant concept, this limited-run model draws direct inspiration from a memorable early ’90s Golf.

Retro Styling Details

The production model dials back the concept’s shimmering finish in favor of a more conventional Ultra Violet Metallic paint. Even so, it retains several distinctive touches, including a custom logo on the spoiler, transparent matte decals on the C-pillars, a Flaming Red roof strip, and coordinating GTX | FIRE & ICE lettering along the side. Rounding out the look are 20-inch Locarno alloy wheels with anodized accents that match the body color.

More: VW Beats Tesla Where It Hurts Most And The Numbers Are Brutal

Inside, the two-tone color scheme from the concept carries over, with Fire Red on the driver’s side and Keep Cool Blue on the passenger’s side. The jacket-style zippers on the front seats remain as a design nod, though they’re now decorative rather than functional. Additional details include contrast stitching and custom puddle lights.

As for equipment, the Fire+Ice edition is well stocked, featuring premium sport seats with massage function, an augmented reality head-up display, a Harman Kardon sound system, and an advanced suite of driver-assistance systems.

Performance Carries Over

The ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE doesn’t get any performance upgrades over the standard GTX and GTX Performance trims. This means it is available with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing either 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS) or 322 hp (240 kW / 326 PS). The more powerful variant can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds and comes equipped with the DCC adaptive chassis. That said, it’s still slower than the more affordable Golf R, which does the deed in just 4.6 seconds.

The 79 kWh battery pack is good for a WLTP range of up to 591 km (367 miles) and is compatible with DC charging of up to 185 kW.

Volkswagen

A Nod to the ’90s

This new Fire+Ice edition pays tribute to the 1990 VW Golf Fire and Ice, developed with fashion designer Willy Bogner. The original stood out with its color scheme and was available in several trims, including the GTI. VW reports it sold 16,700 units, well above its original target of 10,000.

More: Forgotten Polo GTI Cabrio Concept Let Drivers Enjoy Open-Air With Roof Up

That retro influence carries into the present through a modern partnership with performance apparel brand BOGNER FIRE+ICE. Production will be strictly limited to 1,990 units, making it even rarer than the model that inspired it.

In Germany, pricing for the ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice starts at €56,020 (around $65,500), a €8,795 ($10,300) premium over the standard GTX trim. It’s also more expensive than both the gasoline-powered Golf GTI Clubsport (€49,280 / $57,600) and the Golf R (€55,000 / $64,300), solidifying its status as the most exclusive and most expensive ID.3 on offer.

Volkswagen of America recently announced the 2026 ID.4 would benefit from a “mid-model-year change” that would see the electric crossover “receive additional features.” While that was a pretty cryptic hint about an update, we’re starting to learn more about the upcoming model.

Speaking to Autocar, Volkswagen’s board member for technical development indicated the ID.3 and ID.4 will get a facelift that brings them more in line with the ID.2. As part of the makeover, Kai Grünitz suggested we can expect a “lower and squatter stance.”

More: Here’s What’s Coming To VW’s 2026 Lineup

The styling updates are said to continue inside, where we can expect an all-new interior. Details are hazy at the moment, but the publication said there will be a new dashboard and user interface.

Volkswagen is also slated to bring back physical switchgear including a round volume knob. As one insider noted, “If you develop something that works, and it has worked for years, there’s no reason to replace it.”

Powertrain details remain elusive, but electric vehicle technology has been advancing so it’s probably safe to assume there will be some updates. This could include more powerful and efficient motors as well as updated battery packs.

The facelifted ID.3 will reportedly debut in the second quarter of 2026, while the ID.4 will follow later that year. The publication also says the company is planning to introduce a Jeep Avenger rival, known as the ID.2X, at the upcoming Munich Motor Show.