EV Review: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

Photo Credits: Volkswagen, Car and Driver

Driving Electric Looks As Good as It Feels

Overview

Performance: Electric motor, 82 kWh battery back, 201 horsepower

Mileage estimate: About 250 electric miles

Price estimate: $39,995 to $44,495

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Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles

Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles

Roadside Assistance: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Corrosion Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Review

Intro

Volkswagen may have dropped the e-Golf from its U.S. lineup of vehicles, but there’s no plan to discontinue electric vehicles.

The e-Golf, an electric hatchback, debuted in 2015 and was sold in the U.S. for five years before the company decided to cease U.S. sales this year. As an alternative, Volkswagen added the 2020 ID.3 and is following up with another intriguing EV – the ID.4 – a compact, all-electric, five-passenger SUV.

The ID name stands for intelligent design. The ID.3 is the first all-electric production car that utilizes Volkswagen’s new Modular Electrification (MEB) system. Under the MEB platform, VW says it plans to produce an ambitious 10 million EVs over the next decade.

The ID.4 plant will be located in Chattanooga, Tenn. – probably completed in 2022 – and will be distributing the new SUV to Volkswagen’s network of more than 600 dealers nationwide.

While it waits for the Chattanooga plant to be completed, the Volkswagen North American market will get ID.4 models that are produced in Germany. Right now, the company says there were only a few thousand ID.4s sold to U.S. buyers. Volkswagen says the ID.4 will eventually be produced at five factories on three continents.

The 2021 ID.4 starts at around $40,000. However, VW expects that price to dip to about $35,000 when domestic production begins next year. And the $7,500 federal tax credit will make the ID.4 even more appealing buy.

Exterior Style

Offered in a standard Pro trim or optional 1st Edition, the ID.4 has many fine qualities, including an appealing exterior look. Folks who have seen it label the small SUV as aerodynamic and futuristic, while also possessing the classic Volkswagen eye appeal. The VW logo sits in the center and can be purchased with a cool LED lighted option. It has a black painted roof, silver roof rails, and various accents.

The Volkswagen Tiguan, a small gas-powered SUV, is comparable to the ID.4. The Tiguan is 4.6 inches longer and about 2 inches higher than the ID.4. They both have about the same interior space.

Interior Space and Features

Drivers will be pleased with the 12-way power-adjustable front seats that includes a massage function. The cargo area is sizable at 30.3 cubic feet and when the rear seats are folded to the floor that space expands to 64.2 cubes.

It comes standard with a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen (12-inch is optional) and a 5.3-inch reconfigurable digital gauge display that utilizes voice recognition, a handy thing to have that prevents the driver from being distracted from the primary duty – driving safely. Also standard are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, steering wheel, and mirrors.

The ID.4 interior has plenty of desirable qualities, incorporating some high-tech features that add to the SUV’s overall appeal. It’s roomy for a small SUV, has good storage capacity, and an array of standard features.

Battery and Charging

The ID.4 is equipped with an 82 kWh battery pack and should be able to go about 250 miles before a charge is required. It doesn’t rival a Tesla 3 for distance, yet the ID.4 is comparable to the Chevy Bolt (259), and the EV versions of Hyundai Kona (258) and Kia Niro (239).

Charging times are listed as 7½ hours via a 220-volt Level 2 at-home station. A DC fast charging or Level 3 charge is much more effective, estimated at delivering up to 80-percent capacity in approximately 40 minutes.

Range and Performance

The range is significant and so is the performance. The real-wheel drive ID.4 is quick from a resting position. The electric motor generates 201 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque, and goes a reported 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds. Its towing capacity is 2,700 pounds.

There’s no jolt of excitement when driving the ID.4, which has a low center of gravity and doesn’t feel overly sporty. It does have a long wheel base and offers solid ride quality. Safety features include lane departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam control, and front and rear parking sensors.

Conclusion

We expect the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 to gain an audience almost immediately. The small SUV has many enviable qualities, like range, performance, interior setup, and its appealing look. The ID.4 is a practical EV that comes at a reasonable price.

–  J.W.

Media Video Review: VW ID.4