Volkswagen ID.4 review
The Volkswagen ID.4 will appeal to EV buyers with a focus on family practicality and a decent range
The Volkswagen ID.4 won’t set pulses racing, but that’s not really the point of the German brand’s family-sized all-electric SUV. The second ID-badged model follows in the footsteps of the more compact ID.3 hatchback, offering more usable space and good levels of on-board tech, while a comfortable ride and practical range make it a car that’s easy to live with.
The ID.4 is not without fault, though. It’s not the most engaging drive, and if you take a look inside, you’ll notice some of the trim is a little cheaper-looking than you might expect compared with its closest rivals. The touch-sensitive controls can be frustrating to use, especially when you're on the move. Overall, the Volkswagen ID.4 is a good, but not class-leading, all-electric family car.
About the Volkswagen ID.4
Volkswagen is facing up to an all-electric future with a steady rollout of zero-tailpipe emission cars under its ID sub-brand. The Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback was the first model to ride on the VW Group’s MEB platform, which was designed to help implement the company’s strategy of nearly 100 percent EV sales by 2040. The versatile EV-specific architecture also serves as the underpinnings for the Volkswagen ID.5 coupe-SUV and Volkswagen ID. Buzz minibus, as well as the Audi Q4 e-tron and Cupra Born.
The ID.4 comes with either a 52kWh or 77kWh battery (both the useable capacity numbers), with most versions featuring a single motor driving the rear wheels. Models with the smallest battery and least powerful 168bhp electric motor are badged as Match Pure, and start at just under £43,000. This model has the lowest range at 224 miles.
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Next up is the larger 77kWh battery pack offered in Match Pro models. This version costs a little under £44,500 and still uses a rear-mounted electric motor, but it has more power, up to 282bhp and 535Nm of torque. This version has the most driving range, at 336 miles.
Buyers seeking the reassurance of all-wheel drive will no doubt look to either the dual-motor Pro 4Motion (with up to 324 miles of range) or the 335bhp ID.4 GTX (with 317 miles of range). These models start from around £46,000 and £54,000, respectively.
The trim choices have altered dramatically since the ID.4 was introduced. Entry-level Match Pure models come with 18-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, keyless go, heated front seats, a wireless smartphone charger and a reversing camera.
Upgrade to Match Pro, and aside from the larger battery pack and more powerful electric motor, you get 19-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high-beam assistance, and an electric tailgate. The top-of-the-range GTX adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, a panoramic glass roof, and three-zone climate control.
Electric motor, drive and performance
No matter if you’re driving a high-performance EV or a less potent electric city car, you’ll certainly notice the satisfying surge of instant response from just a prod of the accelerator, which can be especially useful when navigating through busy urban streets and (whisper it) actually becomes quite addictive.
Volkswagen has decided to tailor the ID.4 slightly differently, with available torque being limited to help deliver smoother progress. This impacts full-bore sprinting ability, but probably better suits the car’s set-up and family load-lugging bias.
The 282bhp 4Motion and 335bhp GTX versions should be enough for most craving extra pace, with four-wheel drive providing enough traction for punchy acceleration. However, a slightly more expensive Tesla Model Y in Performance trim will destroy the VW in a straight-line race. We also found the GTX underwhelming for driving engagement when tested in 2021. It has been given more power since then (40bhp), which hopefully will boost the excitement levels of the sportiest ID.4 model, although it’s worth pointing out it’s still slower from 0-62mph than the Long Range Tesla Model Y, which also happens to be cheaper and go further on a charge.
The ID.4’s light steering and soft suspension add to its easy-going nature, while longer road trips on motorways are an excuse to utilise the adaptive cruise control and sail on to your destination in complete comfort. In our three-way test, we judged the ID.4 as having the best low-speed ride compared to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Despite the EV powertrain and new platform architecture, piloting the ID.4 is still familiar to anyone who has previously driven a VW model. Just don’t expect too much in the way of driving enjoyment, and you won’t be disappointed.
We wish the ID.4 had more regenerative braking settings. A one-pedal driving setting is especially useful around town because it makes driving easier and improves efficiency. There are only two modes currently available, and neither is strong enough to support this function.
0-62mph acceleration and top speed
Super-fast acceleration isn’t the ID.4’s speciality. While the 335bhp GTX version is capable of a decent turn of speed, 0-62mph is dispatched in 5.4 seconds (almost a whole second faster than before the 2023 update), it isn’t up to the pace of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and well behind similar dual-motors of the Model Y.
The 282bhp Pro 4Motion variant manages a sprint time of 6.6 seconds, while the rear-wheel drive Pro model takes just 0.1 seconds longer. The base-spec Match with the ‘Pure’ powertrain of a 168bhp single-motor takes nine seconds flat. The top speed for the ID.4 stands at 112mph in every trim level apart from entry-level Pure, which is limited to 99mph.
Range, charging and running costs
The cheapest ID.4 is the 168bhp Match Pure with the 52kWh battery, which starts at just under £43,000. Upgrading to the Match Pro with the larger 77kWh battery and more powerful electric motor adds roughly £1,700 to the ID.4's price tag, and you'll see a similar price increase on top of this to step up to the Match Pro 4Motion four-wheel drive version.
The top-of-the-range ID.4 GTX is currently priced at just over £54,000. We reckon that unless you’re prepared to pay handsomely for that 5.4 second 0-62mph time, you'll find more value in the rear-wheel drive Match Pro with the same 77kWh battery as the GTX.
The base Match Pure ID.4 provides enough juice for a range of up to 224 miles, but you want to go further between charging sessions, the Match Pro in rear-drive form has the best range, covering up to 336 miles on a single charge. The all-wheel drive, dual-motor Match Pro 4MOTION and GTX versions get the same 77kWh powerpack, but range is reduced to 324 and 317 miles, respectively, due to the additional weight and inefficiencies of four-wheel drive compared to the regular rear-wheel drive models.
During our group test between the Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E, the VW managed to return 3.4 miles per kilowatt-hour – the same as the Hyundai. That equates to a real-world range of 262 miles for the 77kWh ID.4 we were testing. We saw the same results when we pitted an ID.4 GTX against the Toyota bZ4X and Hyundai Ioniq 5, although we did that test in the summer. The first time we drove the ID.4 GTX, it was in colder conditions, and it returned 2.7mi/kWh, demonstrating the effects of cold weather on the EV's range.
An interesting and slightly worrying quirk we noted during our testing of the ID.4 in the summer, was that switching on the air-con noticeably reduced the range. We noted a 27-mile drop in overall range just by turning the system on.
The ID.4’s maximum charging speed depends on which version you get. Stick with the 52kWh battery, and the ID.4 will reach 115kW if you find a suitably fast rapid charger, so a 10 to 80 per cent top-up will take 28 minutes. If you upgrade to the 77kWh battery, the maximum charging speed jumps to 135kW, so the same 10 to 80 top-up also requires 28 minutes. Thanks to that update in late 2023, the GTX charges up to 175kWh, although VW says the charging time for 10 - 80 per cent still takes 28 minutes. It’s worth noting that rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 car reach 233kW and can be topped up even faster.
When it comes to charging at home, fully replenishing a 52kWh model will take roughly eight and a half hours, while 77kWh models will need more than 12 hours plugged into a 7.4kW home wallbox.
Buying a battery-powered car can bring lower day-to-day running costs, and the ID.4 is no different. Business users, in particular, will gain from the low Benefit-in-Kind tax rate of 2 per cent for 2024/2025, not to mention the exemption from road tax (VED) and the London Congestion Charge until 2025.
Insurance
The entry-level 168bhp/52kWh ID.4 should be reasonable to insure because it sits in group 24. In comparison, the Ford Mustang Mach-E starts from group 33.
Opting for the most potent ID.4 GTX is in insurance group 39, but that’s still below the Extended Range Premium trim Mach-E in group 41, or even the entry-level Tesla Model Y RWD in group 47
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Depreciation
Our expert data suggests that over a typical three-year/36,000-mile ownership period, the entry-level 168bhp Match Pure model will retain the most resale value, at 50 per cent, with the top-of-the-range GTX performing the worst at 44 per cent over the same period.
A Tesla Model Y retains more of its value though, and should be worth 56 per cent of its original value after the same three-year period.
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Interior, design and technology
Volkswagen’s MEB architecture has been developed solely for its all-electric vehicles, underpinning the ID.4 and many other VW Group cars, such as the Volkswagen ID.3 and Volkswagen ID. Buzz, plus the Audi Q4 e-tron and Skoda Enyaq. From the outside, the ID.4 looks smart enough, with its sleek, stylish lines helping to create a premium air.
It’s a shame that this quality feel isn’t carried over into the ID.4’s cabin. The typically minimalist style that has become prevalent in so many EVs is all present and correct in the ID.4 (if a little dull), but it doesn’t feel particularly refined. Look even closer, and you’ll notice that the material quality is average at best, while the interior lacks the fizz and flair needed to set it apart from rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6. One irritation we had with the ID.4's cabin is the touch-sensitive, piano-black steering wheel-mounted controls, which are awkward to use and feel like they belong in a much cheaper car.
Buyers won’t be left wanting for standard kit, however. Leaving aside its steel wheels, the entry-level Match Pure model features LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and sat-nav, while luxury additions include heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charging function, dual-zone climate control and a heated front screen to help combat those frosty morning starts.
Mid-range Match Pro adds Matrix LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, and an electric tailgate. The range-topping GTX has a panoramic roof, augmented reality head-up display, heated front seats, triple-zone climate control and larger 20-inch wheels.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
The large 12.9-inch central touchscreen now standard on all ID.4 models, controls virtually everything in the cabin. This also includes the climate settings, which is a frustrating design decision in our opinion.
Combined with its fiddly layout, you often find yourself making erroneous adjustments on the move. This is made worse because the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel are both far to easy to hit by accident while turning the wheel, and awkward to use when you do need to interact with them. Everything from adjusting the volume of the radio to resetting the trip computer is more of a faff than it needs to be. The facelifted ID.3 and Volkswagen Golf have reinstated physical buttons to the steering wheel, so we hope VW will take the same actions with the ID.4.
The infotainment system's loading times are quick, though—particularly with route mapping. We also like the small 5.3-inch digital dial display, which is fitted to the steering column and adjusts with the steering wheel so it’s always visible. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are convenient and useful features that work better than the built-in software.
Practicality, comfort and boot space
Family life with the ID.4 should be pretty straightforward because it offers superb practicality. In addition to the spacious interior, there are lots of storage areas and cubbies, with the central bin also providing a wireless charging pad for your smartphone.
Other handy standard features include a rear centre armrest with two cupholders, rain-sensing wipers, a rear-view camera and a keyless go function.
Opting for a rear-wheel drive version allows for a tight turning circle compared to the four-wheel drive Match Pro 4MOTION or GTX models because the former doesn’t have an electric motor sandwiched between the front wheels to reduce the amount of steering lock you can use.
Dimensions and size
The ID.4 measures 4,584mm in length, making it shorter than both the Ford Mustang Mach-E (4,713mm) and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (4,635mm). It’s also narrower than its two rivals, which might help make the ID.4 a little easier to pilot around town and park up in tight spaces.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
The driver and front passenger have plenty of space, with decent head and legroom. Rear-seat passengers will have no problem getting comfortable, and the flat floor should allow three adult occupants to sit across the rear bench with little complaint.
Parents will be pleased to know that in addition to two ISOFIX points on the outer positions of the second row, the ID.4 also has a child seat mounting point on the front passenger seat, giving greater flexibility in where you can put your children. Check that the passenger airbag is disabled when using a rear-facing child seat position, though.
Boot space
Practicality is a real strength of the ID.4, and its useful 543-litre boot capacity betters that of the Mustang Mach-E with just 402 litres and the Ioniq 5 with 527 litres of luggage space. Folding the ID.4’s rear seats unlocks a vast 1,575 litres, and loading larger items is made easier by the relatively low boot lip.
Towing
All ID.4 models have a maximum braked trailer load limit of 1,000kg, with the exception of the four-wheel drive Match Pro 4MOTION and the most powerful 295bhp ID.4 GTX, which can tow up to 1,200kg. Always double-check load limits for your car before attempting any towing.
Reliability and safety
The ID.4’s MEB platform is used by nearly a dozen electric cars across the VW group, which bodes well for overall reliability. Ford seems to agree because its engineering partnership with Volkswagen utilises this EV-specific architecture for the Ford Explorer electric SUV, and more blue oval models are due to use it over the next few years.
Although it didn't appear in our most recent Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, the Volkswagen brand finished in a disappointing 27th position out of 32 manufacturers in the best brands poll in 2023.
Overall safety is worth highlighting because the ID.4 not only achieved a full five-star rating when crash tested by Euro NCAP, but also gained Advanced status, a mark of a car’s superior on-board safety technology. Volkswagen’s all-electric family SUV gained a 93 per cent score for adult protection, 89 per cent for child occupants and 85 per cent for the car’s safety systems, all of which were higher than those of the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Standard kit for all ID.4 versions includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, a driver fatigue alert system, Dynamic road sign display and a Lane Assist function.
Warranty
Volkswagen offers a standard three-year warranty, although it does provide breakdown cover throughout this period for ID models. The battery pack comes with its own eight-year/100,000-mile cover.
Servicing
Volkswagen states that its ID range of electric cars only require servicing every two years and that there are no specified mileage limits – the latter will appeal to higher-mileage users. However, we’d still recommend checking consumables such as tyres and wiper blades regularly to ensure your car remains road-legal if you plan to cover many miles between servicing intervals.
As with all other Volkswagen cars, you can purchase a fixed-price service plan to help spread the cost of any scheduled maintenance.
Volkswagen ID.4 Alternatives
Being an electric family SUV, the ID.4 has plenty of rivals. It goes up against the accomplished Ford Mustang Mach-E and the talented Korean duo of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, while the Nissan Ariya (our 2022 Car of the Year) is an appealing choice in this segment. The Tesla Model Y is another very popular option, plus there’s even close competition from within the VW Group stable with the Skoda Enyaq.
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