2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Review

　　

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　The 2021 ID.4 is the first U.S.-bound Volkswagen built from the ground up as an electric vehicle. Note the key "ground up" part. Volkswagen's first U.S. market EV was the e-Golf — not much more than a Golf hatchback with an electric motor and batteries instead of a gas powertrain. VW sold it from 2015 to 2019, and while we like the way it drove, its range wasn't very impressive. VW says the ID.4 is optimized from the get-go for the best range, efficiency and interior space possible.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 EV Insights

Trim:ID.4 Pro

　　Pro 4dr SUV (electric DD) - $39,995 MSRPAWD Pro 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) - $43,675 MSRP1st Edition 4dr SUV (electric DD) - $43,995 MSRPPro S (Statement) 4dr SUV (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $44,495 MSRPAWD Pro S (Statement) 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) - $48,175 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

 zzdcar TESTED

　　272 milesThe range for a used 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 is estimated to be 272 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 272 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　Estimated battery warranty remaining is 5 years or 58,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.

　　

Charging at Home

　　7.5 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$4,400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$4,000

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

　　For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

　　For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$72/mo

　　ID.4

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Marketed as an SUV, the ID.4 is smaller than VW's Tiguan small SUV. It's 4.6 inches shorter and 1.9 inches lower than the Tiguan. But its wheelbase, which is the measurement between the front and rear wheels, is only about an inch shorter than the Tiguan's. With the wheels pushed farther apart, the ID.4 has more space for passengers. In fact, it has nearly identical passenger accommodations as the Tiguan. The ID.4's EPA-estimated range of 240 to 260 miles is plenty for most EV buyers, and you might be able to go even farther — in zzdcar' real-world range test, the ID.4 went up to 288 miles on a full charge.

　　Overall, the ID.4 has everything necessary to be an intriguing pick for an electric SUV. But is it the right EV for you, or should you maybe get a Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford Mustang Mach-E or Tesla Model Y instead? Read the categories of our Expert Rating below to help you decide.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the ID.4 drive? The ID.4 splits the difference between your average mainstream EV and your average compact SUV. It's quick by SUV standards, needing only 7.7 seconds to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in our testing. Just know that other EVs are quicker still, such as the Hyundai Kona Electric (6.6 seconds) and Tesla Model Y. Around turns, the ID.4 is stable but a long way from being sporty. This isn't an electric GTI.

　　Braking performance is excellent in panic-stop situations. But the brake pedal requires a little too much finesse to smoothly stop in more casual scenarios. Also, we're disappointed that the ID.4 lacks full one-pedal driving capability. Lifting off the accelerator initiates regenerative braking, but you still have to put your foot on the brake pedal for a complete stop.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the ID.4? This is a comfortable EV. Most notably, the climate control system does a great job of keeping the cabin at a consistent temperature even in the Eco setting. There are even some fun temperature presets to choose from based on how you're feeling. It's also decently quiet. You'll hear some outside and road noise when driving, but the ID.4 proved to be just as quiet in our sound measurements as other top EVs.

　　The seats are cushy but could use a little more thigh support for drivers with long legs. We'd happily trade the massage seat function for a ventilated seat option, which isn't offered. Ride comfort is OK, but the ID.4's rather soft suspension tuning means you'll feel some pronounced up-and-down body motions when driving over bumps.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The ID.4 has a spacious cabin that's easy to get in and out of. It's also easy to see out of. But we were disappointed with some of the unintuitive controls. Mundane things such as the window controls are way overcomplicated, incorporating a touch-sensitive button to switch between front and rear window operation, instead of just having one switch per window. Indicator lights for many of these controls also wash out in direct sunlight, making it hard to tell which mode you're in. Add in some laggy responses by the infotainment screen and you have a cocktail for frustration.

　　On the upside, the ID.4 allows you to just get in and drive. There's no ignition or power button to start the car with. You'll also appreciate the driver cluster that moves with the steering wheel, so it's always in your line of sight.

　　

Technology

9.0/10

　　How’s the tech? There is a lot of great technology packed into the ID.4. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard (you can still plug in if you prefer), and there are plenty of USB-C ports to go around. There's also a spot reserved for wireless phone charging. If you're not into using smartphone integration for navigating, the onboard navigation system is quite good and easy to use. The sound system won't blow you away, but that's about the only downside here.

　　All ID.4s benefit from a suite of standard advanced driving aids, from adaptive cruise control with lane keeping to blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The systems proved to be well tuned and useful in our testing, especially in slow-moving traffic.

　　

Storage

8.5/10

　　How’s the storage? This is one of the more versatile EVs around. It offers a substantial 30.3 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seat. The rear seats are split 60/40 and fold forward flat for 64.2 cubic feet of space. This is more than what you'll get from something like a Hyundai Kona Electric but not as much as what the Model Y offers. If you don't need that flat area, you can drop the rear cargo floor down a level for slightly more space. Small underfloor storage is a great place for the mobile EVSE (charger).

　　The ID.4's real genius shows in its interior storage accommodations. A smart, configurable center console area with removable cupholders and partitions makes for an ultra-flexible front cabin. Generously sized door pockets, too. And the rear seat room makes this the best mainstream EV for car seats, with easy-access anchors. This is a very family-friendly EV.

　　

Range and Efficiency

8.5/10

　　How are the range and efficiency? The ID.4 First Edition has an official range of 250 miles and a consumption of 35 kWh per 100 miles. We ran the ID.4 on zzdcar' real-world range loop on a 100% battery charge (a charge of 80% is recommended for daily use), and it went a total of 287 miles and consumed less energy than its official rating at just 28.8 kWh per 100 miles. That's just marginally less efficient than a Nissan Leaf and an admirable result for a vehicle that's quite a bit bigger.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the ID.4 a good value? The ID.4's appeal comes from its combination of a roomy size, reasonable price and helpful real-world range. Interior build quality is a bit hit-and-miss — some of the high touch-point areas are made out of hard, cheap-feeling plastic — but for what you're paying, the ID.4 is well equipped.

　　New owners get three years of unlimited fast charging at all Electrify America stations, and Volkswagen provides basic and powertrain warranty coverage for four years/50,000 miles, covering the battery for eight years/100,000 miles. You also get two years/20,000 miles of free maintenance, which probably won't amount to much work for an EV, but it's still nice to have.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　List the ID.4's high points on paper, and it looks like a home run. Features including gesture control, massaging seats, a full suite of advanced driving aids and rear-wheel-drive architecture are just a few of the enticing items. Unfortunately, not everything is executed as well as it needs to be, which can be worse than if they weren't offered at all. But the ID.4 has so much else going for it that most of those issues can be overlooked. Its spaciousness, practicality and a healthy driving range make it very appealing to the masses.

　　We don't consider this a fun-to-drive vehicle in the recreational sense, but it does make for comfortable transport that we wouldn't mind driving every day. And as one of the more spacious vehicles in the class with a decent amount of real-world range, it can certainly get you places where fun can be had.

　　

Which ID.4 does zzdcar recommend?

We recommend the ID.4 in its base trim, the Pro, with its full suite of standard driver safety aids. The Pro S offers some upscale features such as a power liftgate and a larger 12-inch touchscreen, but we think the base ID.4 Pro has all the basics covered.

　　

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 models

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 is a fully electric small SUV with seating for five people. The ID.4 is available in three trim levels: Pro, Pro S and 1st Edition. The ID.4 has an 82-kWh battery pack and is available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. On the rear-drive version, you get one electric motor and an output of  201 horsepower. With the AWD ID.4, power increases to 302 hp, with one motor running the front wheels and another running the rear. 1st Edition models are available with rear-wheel drive only.

　　The base ID.4 Pro standard feature highlights include:

　　19-inch wheels DC fast-charging capability (up to 125 kW) Keyless entry Automatic headlights Power-adjustable front seats Dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents Cloth upholstery Leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel Heated front seats Digital gauge cluster 10-inch touchscreen Wireless smartphone charging Voice controls Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (wireless capability for both) VW's Car-Net connection service (with onboard Wi-Fi)Standard driver safety aids for the base ID.4 Pro are combined into a package called IQ.Drive and they include:

　　Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volkswagen and the car in front and can also react to traffic signs and set speed) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued and can slow the vehicle to a complete stop) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)ID.4 Pro S

　　Adds more luxury features, including:

　　LED adaptive headlights Power tailgate with hands-free open and close functions Illuminated exterior Volkswagen logos Panoramic sunroof Simulated leather upholstery Upgraded front seats with massage function 12-inch touchscreen with gesture control Adjustable floor panels for the trunkAn optional Gradient package is available for the Pro S and it includes:

　　20-inch wheels Black roof and silver bumper accents Roof railsThe 1st Edition adds the contents of the Pro S trim level and the Gradient package plus:

　　Unique pedals with "Pause" and "Play" logos White interior accents A tow hitch with a tow capacity of 2,200 pounds on RWD models, or 2,700 pounds on AWD models (with trailer brakes)

　　

2021 ID.4 Highlights

Trim: ProAWD Pro1st EditionPro S (Statement)AWD Pro S (Statement)Pro

　　

Base MSRP	$39,995
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	260 miles
Cost to Drive	$72/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	7.5 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles