The ID.4 is a mid-sized EV that's hugely important to Volkswagen. Jonathan Crouch looks at the improved version.

Ten Second Review

Volkswagen's most significant global EV is this one, the mid-sized ID.4 crossover, here usefully improved. An upgraded motor brings significant increases in both pulling power and driving range, while inside, the cabin's more media-savvy and user-friendly. As before, this contender's practical, decent to drive and reasonable value. And there's the option of AWD if you want it.

Background

The ID.4 was Volkswagen's first global EV, launched in 2020 and tasked with accounting for a third of all the brand's EV sales around the world. It's that important, built not only in Germany (at VW's Zwickau plant) but also by factories in China and the US. Under the skin (and dimensionally) the ID.4 is much the same as its cousin, the Skoda Enyaq iV and (like that car) uses an extended version of the predominantly rear-driven MEB platform we first saw on the smaller ID.3. All though, hasn't really gone to plan for Volkswagen with this car. From launch, its fortunes were hit by Pandemic-related shutdowns and lockdowns, then production suffered due to the global semiconductor shortage and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As well as all of that, there were criticisms of the original model's performance, driving range and cabin quality. All of which makes the introduction of the updated model launched in late 2023, the car we look at here, particularly significant.

Driving Experience

There's an entry-level 52kWh ID.4 model available with the brand's Pure 170PS motor (which goes up to 222 miles between charges) but the big news with this updated model applies to the mainstream 77kWh variants. These come with Volkswagen's latest APP550 Pro Performance electric motor, first seen on the ID.7, which delivers 286PS and puts out a massive 75% more torque than the original model's motor (up from 310 to 545Nm). There's a dual-motor AWD 4MOTION variant too - which might avert the need to stretch to the top sporty ID.4 GTX 4MOTION flagship sporty derivative, which now puts out 340PS (41PS more than before), enough to get you to 62mph in 5.4s. Despite the APP550 motor's extra torque, Volkswagen's managed to make the upgraded 286PS powerplant more effcient too: the rear-driven ID.4 77kWh variant is now supposed to make it up to 349 miles between charges (22 miles further than before) - or 326 miles in 4MOTION form and 319 miles in GTX guise. The battery is a reworked version of the previous 77kWh unit, which has a new charging management system. The brand claims that the steering now has greater feedback than before too. Otherwise, the whole ID.4 experience should be familiar if you've tried one previously. If you haven't, there's a bit to adapt to if this is your first experience of EV motoring. No gearstick, no handbrake, no ignition key and just the sound of silence as the fixed ratio transmission blends an almost endless wave of torque into meaningful and surprisingly rapid forward progress. Like Volkswagen's original post-war Beetle, base versions of this car are rear-driven and when you drive such an ID.4 in town, you quickly realise the real advantages of placing the powertrain - the electric motor and its associated single-speed auto gearbox - on the back axle, thereby freeing up the front wheels for steering duties; the result is a London taxi-like 10.2-metre turning circle. Beyond the city limits, that drive format allows for a near-50:50 almost perfect weight distribution which, together with the low centre of gravity provided by the central battery pack placement, helps disguise the portly weight this SUV must carry around. Traction through the turns is excellent and body roll is checked by firm damping cleverly engineered for suppleness over poor surfaces. All of which ought to provide the recipe for a decently sporting EV - and in some ways it does. There are four drive settings common across the model line-up - 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Individual'. Plus you get an 'Eco' setting that, to maximise range, you'll need to frequently use in combination with the available 'B' regenerative braking function, which slows the car significantly when you come off the accelerator. The GTX models has an extra 'Traction' mode too.

Design and Build

There are no significant exterior visual changes to this ID.4. As before, it shares many styling cues with its ID.3 hatch stablemate but it's a slightly bigger thing, 4,584mm long, 1,852mm wide and 1,612mm tall. To give you some perspective, that makes it a little longer and wider than Volkswagen's more conventional Tiguan mid-sized SUV. Full-LED headlights are standard and top models get big 20 or 21-inch wheels. The big difference lies inside, where there's a new bigger 12.9-inch infotainment central touchscreen, with simpler menus, a more intuitive control structure and a more responsive IDA voice assistant. This offers fresh functions, including cloud-based weather information and the status of sporting events or stock market prices. Volkswagen has (at last) illuminated the cabin temperature control sliders. Plus the driving mode selector has been moved to the steering column and the optional augmented reality head-up display system has been enhanced. You still have to put up with a very small (5.3-inch) instrument display. Overall, build quality is generally good but cheaper plastics still betray the cost cutting necessary to undergird all that sophisticated EV technology. As previously, the interior design has an airy but minimalist and rather clinical feel which Volkswagen has tried unsuccessfully to lift by imprinting 'Play' and 'Pause' symbols on the two footwell pedals. At the back, as before, there's comfortable space for a couple of adults (it'd be a squash for three). And there's a very decently-sized 543-litre boot, extendable to 1,575-litres with the rear seat folded. A tonne of weight can be towed too if you specify the optional tow bar.

Market and Model

The ID.4 range kicks off with a base 52kWh model that uses a 'Pure' 170PS motor and costs around £40,000. Otherwise, your ID.4 will have a 77kWh battery and the VW Group's latest 286PS APP550 motor. Those more advanced models start up at around £45,000, which gets you base 'Match'-spec - it's around £1,800 more for the dual motor 4MOTION version. The top GTX 'Edition' 4MOTION version costs around £52,000, which is the only variant that can be had with Volkswagen's (now improved) DCC adaptive damping system. All ID.4s come with full-LED headlamps, LED tail lights, rain sensing wipers, all-round parking sensors, heated windscreen washer jets and an alarm. Inside, all versions feature the 'ID.Light', a wide, narrow light strip under the windscreen that assists the driver by flashing or moving in different colours to draw attention to various functions. There's also an 'Air Care Climatronic' 2-Zone air conditioning system, a leather-trimmed and a heated multi-function steering wheel. The upholstery is a smart alcantara-like 'Art Velours' microfleece and the front seats are heated, plus there's an auto-dimming rear view mirror, an electric auxiliary air heater, a wireless smartphone charger and an ambient lighting set-up with up to 30 colour options.

Cost of Ownership

As we said in our 'Driving' section, driving range with this improved ID.4 has increased significantly to as much as 349 miles thanks to the new APP550 motor. The other significant change is an increase in charging speed to 175kW - though the base 52kWh 170PS model can still only charge at at just 145kW. To achieve the quoted range figure, you'll need to frequently use the provided 'Eco' drive mode setting, ideally in combination with the available 'B' regenerative braking function, which slows the car significantly when you come off the accelerator. Whatever ID.4 model you select, your charging regime should be quite straightforward. There's a 'We Charge' app that helps you find and use over 150,000 public charge points. An AC1-phase 7.4kW garage wallbox would replenish the 77kWh battery from zero in about twelve hours. Out and about at a DC3 100kW charge point, it'll take no more than around 30 minutes to recharge your ID.4 with enough direct current to cover the next 137 miles. You should also make savings in BiK payments (there's the usual 2% EV rating), as well as exemption (until the 2025 review) from road tax and ULEZ/congestion charging. Volkswagen says that its aim is to make sure that the battery pack lasts as long as the car and, sure enough, that battery pack is warrantied to have at least 70% of its usable capacity after eight years or 100,000 miles.

Summary

This still isn't yet a mainstream Volkswagen model, but the day isn't very far off when it will be. When that happens, we can only hope that EVs will have become rather more affordable than they are now. But if this ID.4 sells globally in the kind of numbers Volkswagen is hoping for, that's unlikely to happen. Like all brands, the Wolfsburg maker will charge what customers show they're prepared to pay. So is this ID.4 worth its sticker price? We weren't entirely certain when we tried this car in its original form, but this updated version's greater power, longer range anfd improved cabin make it a much more credible alternative to established mid-sized class EV rivals. Ultimately, if all you care about in a Crossover EV of this kind is value and driving range, this probably won't be your first choice. But if your priorities are a little broader than that, this ID.4 might well have your number.

Body Glass

Rain sensor

Front and rear electric windows

Heated windscreen washer jets

Variable front intermittent wipers

Rear windscreen washer and wiper with interval delay

Climate windscreen

Rear tinted glass from B-pillar backwards approx 65% tinted

Heat insulating darkened glass in side and rear windows

Brakes

Traction control

Front disc brakes

Electronic parking brake with auto hold

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

Autonomous emergency braking front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring

Drum brakes in rear

Carpets/Rugs

Front + rear carpet mats

Communication

Wireless Smartphone charger

Wireless app connect

Natural voice control

We Charge Go access

Telephone interface comfort with inductive charging function

Online service, with OCU, with head unit coding, without engine immobilizer interconnection

Preparation for We connect and We connect plus

We Connect Plus integrated data volume

Car2X intelligent vehicle networking

Driver Aids

Adaptive cruise control

Rear view camera

Lane assist

Power assisted speed sensitive steering

Dynamic road sign display

Oncoming vehicle braking when turning including swerve support

Driving profile selection

Park assistance plus with front and rear parking sensors

Advanced driver attention and drowsiness monitor

Driver Convenience

Tailgate/trunk lid release from outside

Driver Information

Discover pro navigation

Emergency call service

ID. Light

Speedo and rev counter, electronic odometer, trip, service interval display and exterior temperature gauge

Hand brake/low brake fluid level warning light and inscription

Warning signal and warning light for front and rear seatbelts not fastened

12.9" infotainment screen

Driving Mirrors

Gloss Black door mirrors with integrated indicators

Power folding door mirrors

Automatic dimming interior rear view mirror

Power adjustable, heated exterior mirrors

Exterior mirrors convex on the left and aspherical on the right

Embellishment Trims

Soul black dash trim

Engine

Standard electronic engine sound actuator

Battery 320 A (49 Ah)

55 kWh High voltage battery

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Diversity antenna for FM reception

6 speakers with 140 watt output

Radio - Ready 2 discover

Exterior Body Features

Black roof rails

Body colour door handles

Body coloured bumpers

Rear side wing doors

Roof trim strip in matte black

Exterior Lights

Third brake light

Daytime running lights

LED Headlights

LED rear combination lamp

Welcome light

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Electric auxiliary air heater

Air care climatronic 2 zone air conditioning system

Interior Features

Reach + rake adjustable steering column

Art Velours microfleece cloth upholstery

Pockets and smartphone pockets in seats

Play and Pause brake and accelerator pedals

Storage compartments in driver and front passenger

Sides,rear and armrest in leatherette

Backrest with ID perforation

Door and side trim panel with leatherette insert

Illuminated smartphone storage compartment

Central control unit in black

Headliner in recycled material

Tool kit + Tyre mobility set (including 12-volt compressor + tyre sealant)

Centre console with illuminated storage compartment with sliding cover and two drinks holders

Leatherette-wrapped multifunction heated steering wheel with touch control

2 USB-C ports in the front, 2 USB-C charging sockets on the centre console in rear, charging capacity up to 45 W

Armrests for both front seats

Operating voltage 12V

Interior Lights

30 colour ambient lighting

Ambient lighting, exterior illuminated styling elements in door handle recesses

Safety

Child safety lock

Single tone horn

Tyre pressure loss indicator

Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation

3x3 point rear seat belts

First aid kit with warning triangle and safety vest

Proactive passenger protection system in combination with front assist

Seat belt reminder (Japan design)

Front curtain and side airbags with center airbag

3 Point seat belts in front with pretensioners

Seats

Heated front seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Safety optimised front head restraints

Rear seat bench unsplit, backrest split folding with center armrest

Drivers and front passengers seat height adjustment

Three rear head restraints

Isofix child seat preparation easy-fit (for two outer rear seats, and front passenger seat) compatible with I-size

Interior style comfort seats

Security

Immobiliser

Alarm with interior protection

Keyless entry and start

Anti theft wheel bolts

Remote central locking with 2 remote keys

Transmission

Rear wheel drive

Vanity Mirrors

Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Vehicle Charging

Charging cable mode 3, Type 2: 7.2kW 1-Phase/11kW 3-Phase (32A)

AC charging socket (Type 2)

11 kW AC charging power

DC-DC converter 2.4 kW

110kW DC battery charging (Type 2:CCS)

Wheels

Wheel trims

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 480

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 28

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 145

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 55

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 470

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 361

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 361

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 361

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 16.4

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 16.4

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 16.4

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.8

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.8

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.8

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 292

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 224

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 224

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 224

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 52

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 145

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: E212DF

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: Match

Coin Description: Pure

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 23E

Service Interval Mileage: 999999

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 170

Badge Engine CC: 0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 9

Top Speed: 99

Engine Power - BHP: 170

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 125

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 229

Engine Torque - NM: 310

Engine Torque - MKG: 31.6

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/60 R18

Tyre Size Rear: 235/60 R18

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 18" STEEL

Wheel Style: N

Alloys?: 0

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4584

Width: 1852

Wheelbase: 2770

Width (including mirrors): 2108

Height: 1634

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1912

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2490

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1000

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 578

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 543

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1734

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.6

Exterior Body Features

Solid paint

Premium metallic paint

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Energy efficient heat pump

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Glacier white

Metallic - Scale silver

Metallic - Blue Dusk

Metallic - Grenadilla black

Paint - Solid

Solid - Moonstone grey

Paint - Special

Premium metallic - Kings red

Towing

Swivelling towbar

Trim - Cloth

Art velours microfleece cloth - Soul black/Platinum grey stitching

Vehicle Charging

Mode 2 (3-pin) mains charging cable (Type 2, 230V 1-phase AC, 6 metres)

Wheels - Alloy

18" Falun alloy wheels