--- title: "Even Volkswagen Is Doing Horsepower Subscriptions Now" date: "2025-08-16" modified: "2025-08-16" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/even-volkswagen-is-doing-horsepower-subscriptions-now" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Volkswagen News" tags: - "compact" - "Electric Vehicle" - "Hatchback" - "Volkswagen" --- # Even Volkswagen Is Doing Horsepower Subscriptions Now ![VW ID.3 in green]() *\Volkswagen\* Subscriptions are coming for us all, in every aspect of life, and all we can do is avoid them. That just became a little tougher for owners of [Volkswagen]()'s smallest EV, the ID.3, in the U.K. See, we're used to hearing about subscriptions for improved performance and creature comforts in luxury cars, but VW's trialing BMW and Mercedes-Benz's greatest hits of consumer-hostile policies and gating an additional 27 horsepower behind a $22.30 monthly payment on the ID.3. Alternatively, owners can shell out $878 to unlock that power permanently, for the life of the vehicle. This news comes courtesy of *[AutoExpress]()*, and it's alarming for several reasons. First, again, the ID.3 isn't exactly a bargain, starting at the equivalent of $41,770, but it's also no Mercedes EQE. Second, as the article points out, the car is registered at 228 hp stock, which affects insurance rates, even though owners only get 201 hp *before* subscribing. So, you're paying a penalty on your insurance premium based on power that you can only access if you give Volkswagen yet more money every month. This monthly fee also lifts torque from the standard 195 lb-ft to 228 lb-ft, and VW says that the increase in output doesn't impact range—so at least there's that. The optional software upgrade applies to all trims of the ID.3 except for the speedy GTX variant, which has around 320 horsepower and costs $21,600 more. All told, that's roughly $63K—for VW's smallest EV! And you thought the [Golf R]() was pricey. The more I learn about this thing, the less sad I am that it's not offered in the States. ![]() *Side note: This is a $63,000 car. *Hendryk Meyer/Volkswagen** The best outcome we can hope for in these cases is that the outcry against it becomes so loud that VW relents. That's worked to some degree on this side of the pond, with [BMW's heated-seat policies](). But the retractions don't last forever, and automakers are pretty much set on biding their time until software-locking everything is normalized, and they can [get away with all of it](). *Got tips? Send ’em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()