Volkswagen ID.4 review
Volkswagen's first electric family SUV is practical, spacious and great to drive
Pros
- Comfortable
- Practical and spacious
- Good range and rapid charging tech
Cons
- Confusing infotainment
- Initial trim range very limited
- Not as quick as numbers suggest
| Car type | Electric range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 217-324 miles | 12hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 36mins (10-80%, 125kW) |
The Volkswagen ID.4 is the German brand’s first pure-electric family SUV, which means it’s an important new model. This market is ready for an explosion in popularity, as each mainstream manufacturer prepares its own offerings and buyers continue warming to the idea of an electric car as their main form of family transport.
The ID.4 is somewhere between the Volkswagen Tiguan and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace in size. It’s the second model to arrive in the ID range, following the Golf-equivalent ID.3, and rivals range from the smaller Kia e-Niro to the Citroen e-C4 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
The '1st Edition' introductory trim level costs just under £41,000, while the regular range currently consists of the more expensive Life, Family and Max versions. But cheaper models that are eligible for the government plug-in car grant will follow later in 2021, with shorter ranges, less generous equipment lists and prices closer to the £30,000 mark.
First Edition cars get sat nav, 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, heated seats and a reversing camera as standard. When you consider this version's 310-mile range, that's reasonable value for money, especially considering you won’t be paying for petrol or diesel. Charging takes over 12 hours from a 7.4kW home wallbox charger, or just over half an hour to go from 10-80% from a public rapid charger at the maximum rate of 125kW.
On the outside, first impressions of the Volkswagen SUV are good, with a modern look that shares much with the smaller ID.3. Look hard enough and you can see similarities between the ID.4 and the closely related Skoda Enyaq iV – although the Volkswagen does without that car's sloping rear window. The interior is roomy and three people can fit in the back without too much of a squeeze, plus there’s good head and legroom in there. The 543-litre boot is good too, so it’s a practical family car.
Overall the ID.4 is similar to the smaller ID.3, in that it has well implemented electric technology, good range and plenty of equipment, as well as being quiet and relaxing to drive. Yet the ID.4 is also larger and more practical than the ID.3, so will hold more appeal for family buyers wanting more space. For a more detailed look at the Volkswagen ID.4, read on for the rest of our in-depth review...
