Review: Volkswagen ID.4
What is it?
Volkswagen hasn’t wasted any time in expanding its ‘ID’ line-up of electric vehicles. Things kicked off, of course, with the Golf-sized ID.3, but for drivers who are after a higher-riding and more spacious option then there’s this - the ID.4. Tapping into the ever-growing SUV segment, the ID.4 gets the same clever platform as the ID.3 but delivers more in the way of space and practicality.
But does this extra size dent the appeal of this latest Volkswagen platform and should you be looking elsewhere? We’ve been driving the ID.4 to find out.
What’s new?
As we’ve mentioned, there’s a shared platform with the ID.3 sitting underneath the ID.4. The clever modular nature of this setup means that it can be adapted to suit all shapes and sizes of cars, while sharing the same battery and motor combination. It’s why you’ll also find it underneath the larger ID. Buzz van, too.
Volkswagen isn’t just thinking sustainably in terms of powertrains, either. It wants to be CO2 neutral by 2050 and in order to achieve that, is using renewable energy at its Zwickau plant - where the ID.4 is produced - to help lower its overall emissions.
What’s under the bonnet?
As with other ID models, you can get the ID.4 with a series of motor and battery setups, but the one we’re looking at uses a 77kWh battery linked to a 201bhp electric motor with power sent to the rear wheels, just as it is on all ID models. Volkswagen claims a range of up to 337 miles from a single charge, too, while a 135kW maximum charging rate could see 89 miles of range added in around 10 minutes.
On a more regular level, plugging into a home charger will take around 11.5 hours to fully charge the ID.4. So an overnight plug-in will likely be more than enough to get the batteries topped up fully.
What’s it like to drive?
The ID.4 offers the kind of considered, easy-going driving experience that you’d expect from a ‘normal’ SUV of this size. However, the difference comes in the quiet propulsion that you’ve got going on underneath, which makes the whole car feel quite serene and relaxing. The accelerator pedal is also nicely judged, so you’re able to make a nice smooth getaway without jolting passengers.
It’s good on the motorway, too, where it feels refined and settled. As we’ve found with other electric vehicles, the ride is a little sharp around town - mostly due to the ID.4’s larger wheels - but it’s not so bad once you’ve gained a bit of speed. You can feel the car’s weight in the bends, however, you could say that of many of the cars in this size class - regardless of what they’re powered by.
How does it look?
Volkswagen has managed to transfer some of the styling touches that you’ll find on the smaller ID.3 onto this larger platform quite successfully, creating a car which looks both styling and futuristic without being too out there. As with other ID models, there are light bars aplenty, while some silver elements help to brighten up the exterior further.
Remember, that if the look of the ID.4 is a little too understated for you, then you could opt for the coupe-inspired ID.7 which adds a sloping rear roofline into the mix for a more dramatic appearance overall yet with the same battery and motor setup underneath.
What’s it like inside?
Regardless of the powertrain, buyers looking for an SUV will want something that is large, spacious and comfortable. The ID.5 does well to tick those boxes and with the freedom of space that an electric platform brings (there’s no need to work around transmission tunnels, for example) there’s plenty of room to stretch out and relax if you’re sitting in the back.
Material quality is largely good - there are a few scratchy plastics here and there - while a 543-litre boot isn’t bad at all. It isn’t as large as the one you’ll find in the Volkswagen Touareg, but it’s still a good size considering there are batteries and motors to deal with.
What’s the spec like?
We’ve found most ID models to come well equipped and the ID.4 is no different. All versions get LED headlights and heated front seats, for example, alongside a rear-view camera and keyless entry.
Move up the list of specifications and you’ll find certain features added such as 19-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels, advanced LED headlights with automatic control and an electrically operated tailgate that you can activate by waving your foot under the rear bumper. However, whichever model you opt for you’ll be getting plenty of equipment.
Verdict
The ID.4 is a fine choice for drivers who may have been considering the ID.3, but found that it didn’t offer the space and practicality required. Fortunately, this extra versatility doesn’t come at the expense of driving experience or range, while the high seating position will no doubt prove popular with those drivers who feel a little more confident sitting higher up.
Sure, it may not quite match its petrol and diesel-powered stablemate - the Tiguan - in terms of boot space, but in many areas, this is a far more relaxing and easy-going option.
