Volkswagen ID.4 review
Volkswagen's first electric family SUV is practical, spacious, good value and great to drive
Pros
- Comfortable
- Practical and spacious
- Good range and rapid charging tech
Cons
- Initial trim range limited
- Confusing infotainment
- Not as quick as numbers suggest
| Drivetrain | Battery size | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure / Pure Performance | 52kWh | 211-213 miles | 8hrs 30mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 29mins (10-80%, 100kW) |
| Pro Performance | 77kWh | 314-323 miles | 12hrs 15mins (0-100% 7.4kW) | 34mins (10-80%, 125kW) |
The Volkswagen ID.4 is the German brand’s first pure-electric family-sized SUV, which means it’s an important model. This market is set for an explosion in sales, 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 falls 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 hatchback, and its rivals range from the smaller Kia e-Niro SUV to the Citroen e-C4 hatchback and the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
The 1st Edition introductory trim level with a 77kWh battery cost just under £41,000, but cheaper models with a smaller 52kWh battery have now arrived. Only one is eligible for the government's plug-in car grant: the Life Pure, which comes in at just over £32,000 once the subsidy has been deducted.
Even upgrading to the more powerful Pure Performance drivetrain takes the Life trim level out of grant eligibility, pushing its price to over £36,000. There's also a better-equipped Style trim available with the 58kWh battery, while the Family and Max versions are offered solely with the larger 77kWh battery, so their list prices range from £41,000 to almost £50,000.
The 1st 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 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...
