VW ID.4: MEB for the World - VW's New Bestseller?

The ID.4 embraces the "go big or go home" philosophy: It comes with three power levels, two battery sizes, and a total of eight versions. According to WLTP, the top version should reach up to 520 kilometers. With a length of 4.58 meters, the ID.4 is slightly larger than the Tiguan and stands directly next to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Nissan Ariya. Like the latter, the 2.77-meter wheelbase ensures plenty of space on the rear bench and a generally generous interior, which is more ample than the ID.3 due to the larger body. The trunk can hold 543 liters up to a maximum of 1575 liters. Unlike the Tiguan and others, it cannot offer a sliding rear bench due to its rear-motor layout. Moreover, while discussing loading capacity, we should mention the 1000 kilograms towing capacity. The total weight of approximately 2.1 tons is in line with its competitors. In the ID.4, the central aluminum frame carrying nine or twelve battery modules ensures a lower center of gravity, contributing to good driving dynamics. The batteries alone weigh 344 and 493 kilograms, respectively.

Better material quality inside

Unlike the hard plastic-lined ID.3, the ID.4 offers noticeably better material quality and haptics: The upper part of the instrument panel is softly padded, and there are cushioned armrests, as well as reasonably high-quality artificial leather-velour seat covers. Except for the steering wheels, all covers are "vegan"….optionally, comfort can be further enhanced with twelve-way electrically adjustable, ergonomic AGR seats, and like Tesla, the "Plus" design package includes a large panoramic roof window with an electric blind that brightens up the interior.

A significant leap, however, is the so-called "Augmented Reality Head-up Display," which requires a lot of space but integrates displays and driving instructions into the real environment. Initially, it's only available as part of the "Plus" infotainment package in the top "Tech" and "Max" trims, but it impresses with its strong visuals: A small bluish directional arrow appears far ahead on the windshield, growing larger and more transparent, and disappearing at the turning point. Target points with the familiar checkered flag pattern seem to float towards the driver. Less reliable and useful are the similarly blue direction arrows or the orange lane boundary lines, which tend to be more distracting than helpful – especially on narrow roads. We categorize the standard "ID Light," whose light bar under the windshield symbolizes driving readiness, braking requirements, or battery status, as more "fun" than necessary: When navigation prompts turns, a light impulse runs across the entire width in the indicated direction, almost reminiscent of K.I.T.T. from the 80s TV series "Knight Rider."

Speaking of voice control, it is initiated with "Hello ID." in the ID.4. It understands many abstract terms and retrieves information online from the cloud. Multimedia and infotainment are nearly identical to those in the ID.3: The ten-inch screen on the center console allows management of telephony, navigation, entertainment, assistance systems, and setups via touch surfaces, with ergonomically unsound sliders for volume and temperature situated below.

So let's start and observe that the ID.4 also boasts a confident chassis and dynamic driving behavior considering its weight. It smooths out all kinds of bumps effectively, and the adaptive dampers with progressive steering (in the Sport Plus package) ensure precise feedback. Of course, the ID.4 also offers multiple modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual alter the characteristics of the e-motor, dampers, and steering, allowing noticeable differences between a comfortable and a firmer handling setup. Additionally, the relatively lightweight rear motor contributes to this: The permanently excited synchronous machine weighs only 90 kilograms, including the gearbox, and requires little installation space. Initially, there are three power levels with 109 kW (148 PS), 125 kW (170 PS), or 150 kW (204 PS). The first two variants offer 220 and 310 Nm torque, respectively. They are paired with the smaller 52-kWh battery, providing up to 348 kilometers of range. According to WLTP, they consume 16.7 to 19.2 kWh. However, they will only be delivered in Germany in the first half of 2021. The rollout begins with the more powerful e-motor and the 77-kWh battery.

300 kilometers range should always be achievable with the large battery

This is enough to set the ID.4 in motion vigorously. It can reach 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, but it is electronically limited to 160 km/h to avoid excessive power consumption. According to WLTP, the e-motor consumes between 17.7 and 18.9 kWh/100 km, ensuring a range of at least 300 kilometers. Initial test drives by some colleagues confirmed this. They started with a range of over 300 kilometers and returned the car after about 100 kilometers around the flat Wolfsburg area with nearly 200 kilometers of remaining range. With a very gentle driving style and fully charged batteries, VW claims up to 520 kilometers are possible – provided no air conditioning is used, and acceleration is kept to a minimum on flat terrain.

Exemplary is that VW pays attention to CO2 neutrality in production: VW compensates for the CO2 backpack of the ID.4 on a balance sheet basis, so that each ID is to be handed over to the customer as CO2-neutral, which is confirmed by TÜV Nord. VW also supports potential customers when charging: VW offers the wallbox at an introductory price of 399 euros. The ID.4 models with the large battery can be charged at 11 kW at this wallbox, but the entry models Pure and City with the smaller battery only at 7.2 kW, which is rather weak for such a caliber nowadays. On the other hand, all models can do fast charging – the basic models at 50 kW (optionally 100 kW), all others up to 125 kW, so that according to WLTP, up to 320 kilometers should be "refueled" in about 30 minutes and long distances can be covered in a reasonable time frame. All refueling processes can be coordinated, controlled, and also billed with the WeCharge app.

Prices rise quickly

Which brings us to the costs: Of course, the ID.4 also benefits from the BAFA funding decision on the 9000 euro innovation premium. The ID.4 price list starts with eight pre-configured trims from 36,950 euros (that's a good 31,050 euros net), making the ID.4 hardly more expensive than a similarly powerful Tiguan petrol engine. VW reduces the options in the configurations over pre-configured packages, which may not always appeal to customers: With the exception of the base versions "Pure" and "Pro", the most popular options are bundled for the other models: This allows the factory in Zwickau to build and deliver the cars faster, and VW saves logistics and variant costs, which are not insignificant. However, the problem is that prices quickly rise due to the packages: For example, with comfort and infotainment packages on board, the City and Life trims already cost at least 47,020 euros, which is a good 39,500 euros net. The ID.4 Business with design, interior, and assistance package then breaks the 50,000-euro sound barrier with 51,005 euros (that's just under 43,000 euros net) including taxes, and the ID.4 Family with design package Plus and comfort package Plus costs a rather family-unfriendly 52,205 euros (that's just under 44,000 euros net). The top trims Tech and Max are only available with the big e-motor and the respective "Plus" versions of all four option packages from 55,530 euros (just under 46,700 euros net). The program is regularly crowned by the ID.4 Max from 58,940 euros (just under 49,530 euros net). It comes with the Sport Package Plus and the Top Sport Plus interior as standard, which are only available as options in the other models. Nevertheless, it is commendable that VW offers the ID family in such a broad way, thus offering a certain degree of choice even purely electrically.

What does that mean?

With the ID.4, VW finally offers an acceptable haptic quality again, as one would expect from the brand. In addition, there is a wide range of options, batteries, and drive variants, so the ID.4 is sure to make its way and soon secure a place alongside Golf, Tiguan, and ID.3 in the registration statistics. However, it faces strong competition, as a Nissan Ariya also offers generous space utilization and great haptics from early 2022, and Ford has the Mustang Mach-e, a very driving-active and not inefficient electric vehicle, on the market, which is priced at the more expensive variants of the ID.4. Let's hope the software in the ID.4 works fully from the start.