Volkswagen ID.4 review

The design of the ID.4 is a case of shared DNA. It shares most of its looks with the smaller ID.3 and is much more futuristic than Volkswagen’s combustion offerings like the Tiguan.

It looks electric, with a blanked-off grille, smooth lines, and headlights that wrap the front and back of the car.

It has SUV hints like chunky wheelarches and side skirts that help keep it tough rather than just trendy.

Depending on the trim you choose, you’ll get different design accents like silver or black accents and blacked-out rear windows.

Overall, it looks aerodynamic and funky but still sophisticated and refined – very VW. If you like the ID.3, you’ll like the larger ID.4.

In general, the ID.4 is very good to drive and is going to please most families.

The genetic makeup of the ID.4 means the car has a low centre of gravity, so the weight distribution is superb.

Expect great handling and body control that makes you feel confident behind the wheel and very comfortable, because the suspension is excellent.

It’s also surprisingly nifty around town despite it being an SUV, because it has a very small turning circle for its size – 10.2 metres.

If you’re looking for an electric SUV that’s very practical for city driving, then the ID.4 won’t disappoint.

There’s a range of battery sizes for the ID.4, so you can match the range with your driving lifestyle.

The 52kW Style Edition has the lowest range at 220 miles WLTP, while the 77kWh Pro Life Edition manages an impressive 328 miles on a single charge.

All trims are clearly capable of managing daily driving and longer journeys but you’ll get longer range if you opt for a trim with a larger battery.

If you like speed, then the GTX badge has upgraded suspension and more aggressive looks as well as a higher top speed.

It’s the one for you if you like a little more thrill to your driving.

The interior of the ID.4 is in the same vein as the ID.3 – no surprises there. It’s minimalist with a sleek dashboard without buttons and knobs.

The ID.4 is more expensive than the ID.3, so expect higher-quality materials, but in general, the interior is tailored towards family practicality rather than out-and-out luxury.

Extra design features on higher trims include panoramic sunroofs, augmented reality head-up display, and a heated steering wheel or a heated front screen.

The dash is dominated by a touchscreen infotainment system. Depending on the trim, this is either 10 or 12 inches in size.

The infotainment system isn’t the most intuitive, but it has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and many charging functions, so it’s worth getting to grips with.

Smart features like removable cupholders and multi-way windows show the ID.4 interior is very functional and designed for easy family life.

The multi-way window feature means you can lower all the windows together with the touch of one button, and we love small things like this that VW does so well.

The ID.4 is focused on practicality. The interior space is great for the size, with plenty of legroom and headroom, and the flat floor means three adults can fit in the back without any issues.

The seats are very comfortable too, and on higher trims, the front seats have 14-way electronic adjustment so you can be as particular as you like.

The boot is a real strength, giving you 543 litres to play with. It’s much bigger than in larger rival cars like the Mustang Mach-E, which only has 402 litres, and if you fold down the rear seats, you get a huge 1,575 litres.

The low boot lip also makes it easy to load large items. The cabin has loads of storage cubbies and bins and you can adjust them to maximise space if needed.

Another feature that makes the ID.4 practical is that it can tow up to 1,200kg – great for anyone who needs extra space.

Electric cars are known to be more reliable than petrol or diesel cars, and the ID.4 holds its own against rivals when it comes to reliability.

Expect to need a service only once a year or once every 20,000 miles and the ID.4 comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty. The EV battery also has an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty.

Running costs of the ID.4 vary depending on battery size when it comes to charging.

On average, it costs around £21 for a full overnight charge at home and around £13 to charge from 20-80% at a rapid public charger.

Considering the ID.4 with the smallest battery still manages more than 200 miles on a single charge, you shouldn’t need to charge more than once or twice a week for errand running and commuting.

Volkswagen has managed to take the foundations of the ID.3 and inject extra practicality, style and fun to make the ID.4 a solid choice for anyone ready for their first electric SUV.