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 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 made 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 224 miles between charges). The bigger-battery 77kWh variants come with the major change introduced as part of this car's mid-term update, Volkswagen's much improved APP550 Pro Performance electric motor. First seen on the ID.7, this 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 puts out 340PS, 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 efficient in recent times: the rear-driven ID.4 77kWh variant is now supposed to make it up to 351 miles between charges - or 325 miles in 4MOTION form and 321 miles in GTX guise. The battery is a reworked version of the 77kWh unit that featured at this ID.4's original launch in 2021 and has gained 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 model has an extra 'Traction' mode too.
Design and Build
No significant exterior visual changes were made to this ID.4 as part of this mid-term update. 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 three most affordable versions of the ID.4 now qualify for the government's £1,500 Electric car Grant - which makes this car look usefully more affordable. With that grant deduction in place, the ID.4 range kicks off with a base 'Pure Essential' 52kWh model that uses a 170PS motor and costs around £37,000 - with around £2,500 more for a plusher 'Match'-spec version. Otherwise, your ID.4 will have a 77kWh battery and the VW Group's latest 286PS APP550 motor. If you want this bigger-battery powertrain with the government grant, you'll have to stick with base 'Pro Essential' trim, which with grant deduction costs around £37,000.
To have your ID.4 77kWh model with plusher 'Pro Match' trim takes this VW over the government grant's £42,000 cost cap - which is why that plusher variant looks so much pricier, up at nearly £45,000. The dual motor 77kWh Pro 4MOTION models start from around £46,000, while the top sporty GTX 4MOTION variant costs from just over £52,000. The GTX 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 351 miles thanks to the new APP550 motor. 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.
The other significant change made as part of this update was an increase in charging speed to 175kW - though the base 52kWh 170PS model can still only charge at just 145kW. 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. At a DC3 100kW charge point, it'll take no more than 25-28 minutes to recharge your ID.4 from 10-80% and give you enough direct current to cover the next 137 miles.
If you're AC charging from home, then for a full charge with the smaller battery 52kWh model, you'll need 7 hours 30 minutes (or 5 hours 30 minutes with an 11kW three-phase supply). With the 77kWh battery, you'll need 12 hours 40 minutes (or 8 hours with an 11kW three-phase supply).
As always with any EV, you'll also make savings in BiK payments (rated at 4% from April 2026). There's a fixed servicing schedule, with a basic inspection after two years (unlimited mileage) and subsequent services every year or 20,000 miles. There's the usual unremarkable three year / 60,000 mile Volkswagen warranty (the third year operated by the retailer). And as usual with an EV, the battery pack is warrantied to have at least 70% of its usable capacity after eight years or 100,000 miles.
Summary
When we first tested this ID.4 in its original form, we had a few reservations. The driving range and DC charge figures weren't particularly eye-catching, the cabin infotainment system felt clunky and the cabin wasn't very premium. But quite a lot's changed with this updated version - enough, we'd say, to merit your giving this car a second look if you've considered and rejected it in the past.
This improved version goes further on each quicker charge and has been significantly improved inside, especially in terms of its central screen. Plus in its mainstream forms, it's now much better value compared to its competitors, particularly once you factor in the now-available government grants offered on cheaper variants.
Arguably, there are still more interesting choices and visually arresting choices you could make in the mid-sized EV crossover class. But the ID.4 is now one of the most sensible contenders in its category. Which makes it difficult to ignore.
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