Volkswagen ID.4 Review 2024

Volkswagen ID.4 At A Glance

3/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Volkswagen ID.4 is an impressive, no-nonsense family SUV that just so happens to be electric. It's spacious and will be cheap to run, while its range of up to 322 miles will be more than adequate for a lot of buyers considering their first electric car.

+Practical, family-friendly electric SUV. Impressive range (especially with the bigger battery). More conservative than some outlandish rivals.

-Infotainment system isn't particularly easy to use. Top-end models are expensive. Interior quality isn't as impressive as it should be. Not available with seven seats.

Insurance Groups are between 18–22

The Volkswagen ID.4 is a stylish and competent electric SUV that rivals the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It's not the most exciting choice, while the very similar Skoda Enyaq iV arguably does more for less – but, in typical VW form, the ID.4 is a convincing all-rounder and a strong introduction to electric cars.

Rather than sticking to a simple line-up, the Volkswagen ID.4 attempts to cater for every buyer. The range starts with the basic ID.4 Life (which doesn't even have alloy wheels) and builds all the way up to the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX (a sporty electric GTI, if you like, with a price tag that pitches it against premium alternatives like the Volvo XC40 Recharge and Audi Q4 e-tron).

There are two battery sizes available: 52kWh and 77kWh. Don't dismiss the smaller battery straight away – it still has a range of up to 213 miles, which will be more than sufficient for a lot of buyers. A rapid charger will add nearly 140 miles of range in around half an hour, too, so it'll be perfectly useable for longer journeys.

If you regularly venture further afield, though, you'll want to look at the 77kWh ID.4 with its range of up to 322 miles. This is available in two forms: the Pro Performance, with a single electric motor providing 204PS, or the twin-motor (and therefore four-wheel-drive) ID.4 GTX. This is quickest ID.4 on the bunch, accelerating to 62mph in a pretty sharpish 6.2 seconds.

If you're in the market for an electric SUV that's fun to drive, you'd be better looking elsewhere. But the Volkswagen ID.4 does an excellent job of not feeling too weird – you can just drive it like any other car, albeit a very refined and efficient one.

That's mirrored by the relatively conventional cabin, too, although Volkswagen's tried the minimalist approach by fitting a large touchscreen display as standard along with annoying touch-sensitive controls for the air conditioning. It's a real weak point of the Volkswagen ID.4 – it's just not very user-friendly, but at least Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

The spacious cabin is very user-friendly, though, even if it lacks the sliding rear seats of the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It's obviously more spacious than the smaller Volkswagen ID.3, while a completely flat floor and a heap of useful stowage areas makes the ID.4 a very versatile family SUV.

Volkswagen ID.4 prices start from around £36,500, while top-spec models are more than £55,000. It represents reasonably good value, especially when you factor in running cost savings compared to a conventional SUV like the Volkswagen Tiguan.

We're living with an ID.4 for six months - find out how we get on with in our VW ID.4 long term test. Looking for a second opinion? Why not read heycar's Volkswagen ID.4 review.

Ask Honest John

Can you recommend a company car with low BIK tax?

"I’m due to get a new company car (I currently have a Volkswagen Tiguan). I want something of a similar size and spec but I’m after one with a much lower benefit in kind (BIK) value as I'm being hammered on tax at present. I do 25,000-30,000 miles a year and have both business and personal fuel covered too. Any suggestions?"
For the cheapest BIK, you'll need to be looking at electric cars. A Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Volkswagen ID.4 could be a good choice – similar in size to your Tiguan and with a very useable electric range, as well as rapid charging capabilities. It's worth considering a Tesla Model Y, too, especially as this gives you access to the brand's excellent Supercharger network. Any electric car with zero tailpipe emissions will attract 2% BIK tax from 2022 onwards. As a compromise, you could also consider some kind of plug-in hybrid. A Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid officially has a CO2 output of 41g/km and an electric range of up to 30 miles, meaning you'll pay 14% BIK. You'll need to charge it regularly to get the best from it in terms of fuel economy, but it's a very impressive SUV.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What electric car should we buy to replace our MINI Clubman?

"We have a 2017 2-litre Golf TDI which I love. We decided that we needed a second car for the odd times we want to be in different places so just before lockdown (just our luck) we got a lovely MINI Clubman. It's a really nice car and we love the boot but I've got a bad shoulder that keeps needing attention and I find if I drive the MINI it really hurts me the day after as it is quite a stiff gear change. I don't have this problem with the Golf, which is as smooth as silk and obviously has lots of power. My husband thinks I would be better with an electric car but I really, really like the boot of the MINI. Obviously I know there are electric Volkswagens that look like Golfs but I would be losing the oomph when I want to put my foot down. Can you think of anything suitable please as I used to love driving and I'm finding it really frustrating? The MINI has done just over 7,000 miles and has just been serviced. "
I would have a look at the Volkswagen ID.4. Electric cars deliver all their performance instantly so even the basic ID.4 will feel quick next to your Golf, with the performance tailing off above 70mph where it isn't such an issue. It's this instant shove that means electric cars can get away with having only one gear, so they drive like an automatic, and their regenerative brakes mean they slow automatically when you take your foot off the accelerator – both of which makes them very relaxing to drive. The ID.4 has even more passenger space and a bigger boot than your Mini and its cabin feels light and inviting. It may be worth considering adding the Assistance Pack Plus which adds kit like a rearview camera, keyless entry and also an electrically operated boot lid that will help with your shoulder. It's hard to value your MINI without knowing the age and specification but Countrymans with that mileage sell for between £15,000 and £45,000.
Answered by Russell Campbell

What's the best 4x4 electric estate car?

"We're looking for a medium-sized electric car with all-wheel drive and an estate bodystyle (to carry our large dog). Mileage needs are low (typically 50-60 miles per day). The Skoda Enyaq is a bit larger than we would like and I've read bad reviews of the ID.4's infotainment system. What do you suggest I buy?"
I don't think you'll find an electric car with four-wheel drive that's much smaller than the Enyaq. You could try the Audi Q4 e-tron – it's a more premium choice, based on the same platform as the Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.4. Also consider the new Hyundai Ioniq 5. If you're willing to compromise on AWD, a Kia e-Niro could be a good option.
Answered by Andrew Brady

I need a spacious but compact family car - should I buy a hybrid or electric vehicle?

"I have Mercedes-Benz C-class Estate. I want to change it for an electric or hybrid car. I can probably downsize to something smaller than my current estate, but I need space for my dog or a set of golf clubs in the back. I have a budget of £50,000. What do you recommend?"
If you have a high annual mileage, I would go for a hybrid. The Mercedes-Benz C350e petrol-electric hybrid is available as an estate so it's perfect for the dog. It can travel short distances using battery power alone – so there's the potential to save a lot of money on petrol if you can charge the battery at home and rarely do long drives. On the other hand, having the petrol engine to fall back on means you're not going to be left hunting for a charger mid-journey. I'd also consider the BMW X5 xDrive 45e. It's also a petrol-electric hybrid but it has a longer electric range and its powerful six-cylinder petrol engine means it has loads of performance. If you fancy going down the pure-electric route, I would recommend the Volkswagen ID.4. It's smaller than your Mercedes but should have a similar amount of interior space. It was designed from the ground up to be electric so takes advantage of its compact motors to give you an interior that feels very light and airy. Top-of-the-range models also offer a range of more than 200 miles and lively performance.
Answered by Russell Campbell
More Questions

What does a Volkswagen ID.4 cost?