2024 Volkswagen ID.4: An Electric Car for the Masses
2024 VW ID.4
Volkswagen has always been a brand that appeals to the masses. They are highly successful and are a major player in the auto industry, selling millions of units annually. Throughout their history, Volkswagen has created some of the most successful and iconic cars, such as the Beetle and Microbus. The brand follows a simple strategy that involves designing cars for the people. Therefore, all Volkswagen products are mainstream, attractive and accessible. When it comes to electric propulsion, VW wanted to play it safe and design a vehicle that echoed that same line of thinking. They wanted their EV to be well-designed, well-priced and attainable for the everyday buyer. Their first effort is a compact crossover known as the Volkswagen ID.4. This vehicle kick starts the brands ambitious electric future here in the United States and Canada. Volkswagen has high hopes as they’ve invested billions of dollars into EV technology and have spent time and money, modernizing old plants for a new era. The ID.4 was originally released in 2022 and has seen steady improvements over the years. For 2024, there’s a round of new updates that makes the ID.4 an even more attractive package. The ID.4 is roomy, handsome, comfortable and refined. It’s also reasonably priced, which is a huge bonus. Volkswagen has done their homework as the ID.4 has all the virtues that customers want in a small family EV crossover. The brand is yet again aiming for the masses and are hoping that the ID.4 is yet another home run for the brand. The ID.4 is certainly good, but how does it compare to its competitors in an ever evolving EV landscape?
Exterior Design: Sleek and aerodynamic
The Volkswagen ID.4 ushers in a new design theme for the brand. It’s basically a clean slate specifically for the electric era. The new look is quite traditional and very attractive. It has a slight minimalist style that gives off a tech-forward vibe. The ID.4 has some unique styling touches that are interesting and appreciated. Up front, a hint of a grille can be seen with a thin light bar that connects the headlights. This light bar is complemented by a new simplified VW logo that lights up the night. The front bumper is rounded and smooth as it deflects the wind around its slippery shape. From the side, the ID.4 features a conventional two-box shape that is common among crossovers. Flowing lines and a rising belt-line provides a sleek and aerodynamic character. In the back, a traditional lift gate is present and the taillights are also connected with a light bar. The ID.4 looks as if it’s been sanded and sculpted to slip through the air. Volkswagen made sure that the striking silhouette didn’t compromise form or function, something that various competitors struggle with.
Updated VW logo and light bar that illuminates
I think Volkswagen’s new direction is clean and pleasing to the eyes. They didn’t create something that’s too busy or over styled. Instead they came out with a vehicle that looks fresh and modern. It’s an agreeable design that again will appeal to a large audience. If you are a fan of the ID.4, you’ll be pleased to know that Volkswagen will follow it up with the ID.7 sedan and ID.Buzz minivan in the coming months. Overall, the ID.4 is a winner from the outside and is easily one the better looking EVs within its class.
Interior Design: Vastly improved infotainment, plenty of room
Step inside the ID.4 and you’ll notice an interior that is significantly different from anything else in Volkswagen’s lineup. Its contemporary and straightforward with very few buttons. The lack of buttons and unencumbered dash helps provide an airy and spacious feel. The ID.4 Pro and ID.4 Pro AWD come with a large 12.9-inch touchscreen, while the base model simply known as ID.4 comes with a 12-inch display. The touchscreen is accompanied by a 5.3-inch instrument pod behind the steering wheel. With no physical buttons on the dash, that means literally all functions must be done via the infotainment system. At first, I wasn’t too optimistic as I prefer using regular buttons and knobs for basic controls like A/C and the radio. I was told that the entire system was revamped for 2024 and that it was easy to use. I have to admit, my VW product specialist was right as the system is highly intuitive, quick and responsive to all requests. The graphics were very well done and you can even talk to the car by saying “Hi IDA”. With IDA enabled, you can ask the car to perform simple tasks like turn up the radio or call a friend. It works just like Siri on Apple products and most importantly it accurately picks up everything you say.
Spacious cargo area that beats many competitors
The bottom of the screen comes with a fixed bar that is dedicated to climate controls. This control menu is always available, meaning that you can now activate air conditioning and seat heaters directly, without searching through different menus. On the top part of the screen is another fixed bar menu that is customizable and acts as a shortcut to allow quick access to your favorite apps and most frequently used menus. All of this helps, but you still need to do a deep dive through the system to find many things. It can be confusing and overwhelming at first. For example, it took some time to figure out where to turn on the break assist feature. With that said, this is not a deal breaker because with a little practice and experience, you’ll likely become a pro figuring out where to find everything. One really great aspect with the ID.4 is that the navigation system is extremely detailed and informs you where the nearest charging stations are located. One last feature that I think many people will love is that the ID.4 allows owners a high level of customization. You can change the menus and play around with the ambient lighting that is found on the dash and door panels. It lets some personality shine through and you can change the lighting to correspond with your mood or the day of the week, super cool.
The 2024 ID.4’s new and improved 12.9-inch touchscreen
We’ve become accustomed to many weird quirks in EVs for the sake of being different. Normal tasks like turning on/off the vehicle or selecting a gear is becoming a new discovery that involves a learning curve in each and every EV. So naturally, the ID.4 would have an unconventional way to perform these basic actions as well. From the driver’s seat, a rotary shifter is placed on a fixed stalk that is mounted to the steering wheel column. To start up the ID.4 simply press the brake and select the desired gear you need by twisting the end of the stalk. To turn the car off, simply push the park button on the stalk and walk away. As you leave the vehicle it automatically turns off. This process couldn’t be easier but definitely takes some time to adjust to.
Unique rotary shifter stalk on steering wheel column
Massive cup holders will be appreciated in America by those who want to bring along a large water bottle, big gulp or a large fancy iced coffee. A standard wireless phone charger is also available, so if you forget to charge at home this Volkswagen has your back. The ID.4 has comfortable seats that comes with a massaging function for both driver and front passenger. From the outside the ID.4 has compact dimensions, but the vehicle is very deceiving as rear space is enormous. EVs have a unique architecture with a flat floor that allows them to maximize space in an efficient manner. The ID.4 is smaller in length than say a Honda CR-V but has a longer wheelbase, therefore increasing space for rear occupants. The ID.4 also has a roomy cargo area with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. With the rear seats down the ID.4 has more space than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra.
Large cupholders in a German vehicle!
How it drives: Very normal for an EV
The 2024 model year brings significant changes to the ID.4’s powertrain. You no longer need to upgrade to the dual-motor AWD version to add some extra spice. Volkswagen has improved the power output, making the ID.4 one of the quickest EVs in its segment. The mid-range ID.4 with rear-wheel drive benefits the most from these updates. This version now produces a strong 282 HP and a mighty 402 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the dual-motor AWD ID.4 also sees added improvement to power as it now makes 335 HP and around 500 lb-ft or torque. Just to show how much better this figure is, last year’s model made 295 HP and 329 lb-ft in AWD guise. Lastly, a base ID.4 with a much smaller battery is available with 201 HP and 229 lb-ft of torque. While power isn’t everything to the average EV buyer, the increase in these numbers will surely put a smile on the many faces who buy the 2024 ID.4.
No frunk here. Looks like a regular car once you pop open the hood
With all the talk about improvements to the power and torque, how does the new ID.4 actually drive? Well to sum it up in one word, I’d say it drives normal. You might wonder if that’s good or bad, but hear me out. Like I’ve said, in the world of EVs, we have become accustomed to vehicles that are different for the sake of being different. That includes the way they drive and perform in the real world. Some cars are much too fast and aren’t tuned properly, while other cars offer high levels of efficiency but drive like an appliance. Then there are some vehicles that offer intense regen braking that will make you and all your passengers car sick. In all honesty the ID.4 drives like a regular gas-powered car. In fact, out of all the electric cars I’ve driven the ID.4 feels the most normal. This is great for first time EV owners as the ID.4 will be an easy vehicle to adapt to.
Aerodynamic and sporty looking wheel design
My tester was the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro AWD. Press on the gas and the ID.4 immediately sprints up to speed. Its quick but doesn’t necessarily push you back into your seat. Throttle responses act similar to that of an internal combustion engine (ICE) car. The brake is firm and regenerative braking is available by selecting “B” mode on the shifter. Even though the ID.4 has regen braking, it isn’t as severe or intense as it is in many other EVs. One-pedal driving isn’t possible and the amount of braking when you lift your foot off the gas would be considered a low level on other EV models. The ID.4 has a more European feel and character than say other Volkswagen models like the Taos or Atlas. It offers a firm, yet comfortable ride and is very connected to the road. Steering is precise with a nice weight and the ID.4 is quite fun around curves, as it goes in and comes out of tight turns with confidence. The suspension is well tuned and as far as I could tell, the vehicle was smooth in most circumstances. Its compact dimensions and nimble performance make it perfect for the urban environment.
This Volkswagen is surprisingly agile on twisty roads
If safety is something you’re after, the ID.4 offers a comprehensive array of features to keep you safe. All ID.4’s come with IQ.DRIVE. This includes lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, rear traffic alert and more. An impressive smart parking assist is also available. The vehicle will search for a spot and perform parallel or perpendicular parking. From my brief experience using it, this feature works well and takes the stress away from parking under pressure. All you have to do is just sit there and the car will park itself. Whether you’re highly skilled or struggle with parking, no spot is out of reach with this feature enabled.
Great graphics for its safety feature menus
The VW ID.4 is a nice vehicle to drive, that offers plenty of power, great handling and pleasant road manners. The normalcy of the ID.4 on the road is surprising and its actually one of its best traits. You can tell that VW is aiming for a large audience. Providing people with an easy to drive crossover is one way to convert the masses into EV ownership.
Trust me those back seats are roomy
Range: In line with the competition
The entry level ID.4 comes with a 58.0-kWh battery that is good for 206 miles or 332 km. The mid-range RWD ID.4 receives a much larger 77.0-kWh battery that will provide the most range out of the lineup. It will travel 291 miles or 468 km on a full charge. Lastly the AWD version that offers increased performance also comes with the 77.0-kWh pack. However, range is sacrificed for speed and this ID.4 comes up with an estimated 263 miles or 423 km once fully juiced. These numbers put the ID.4 right in line with its competition. When it comes to charging times, Volkswagen states that the ID.4 will take roughly 30 minutes to charge from 10-80% at a DC fast charger.
Convenient charging port location
Final Thoughts: A worthy choice in the EV market
It’s rare for a company to make significant updates to a product after only a couple of years, but that is exactly what Volkswagen did. The ID.4 was always a fine vehicle, but Volkswagen was determined and committed to make it a class leader and the updates for 2024 make it significantly better. The ID.4 now has more power, range and added technology that fixes old bugs and makes the infotainment system more streamlined. All of these changes compliment the ID.4’s previous strengths of being a stylish, spacious family crossover that is pleasant to drive. The ID.4 has plenty of unique and innovative features and most importantly drives similar to a gas powered car, making the transition from filling up to plugging in easier. This vehicle is typical Volkswagen as its accessible and attainable for many. Volkswagen is now ready to find new icons for the brand as they have embarked on a new electrified era. The ID.4 is a great first example of what the brand can do with EVs and the ID.4 will definitely appeal to the masses. Volkswagen will always build cars that are designed for the everyday family and with these updates, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 could very well become the people’s choice for electric propulsion.
A Special thanks to brand specialist Ash Khoshkhoo, sales manager Kelly Lum and Journey Volkswagen of Coquitlam for the vehicle. The service was outstanding and the staff is welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this dealership if looking for an ID.4 or any other VW product.
Pricing and Specifications:
Base RWD with 58.0-kWh battery - 201 HP; 229 lb-ft torque
RWD with 77.0-kWh battery - 282 HP; 402 lb-ft torque
AWD with 77.0-kWh battery - 335 HP; around 500 lb-ft torque
Canada: *Rebates vary across country
ID.4 Base - $51,220
ID.4 S - $53,720
ID.4 Pro - $55,720
ID.4 Pro S - $58,220
ID.4 Pro AWD - $60,720
ID.4 Pro S AWD - $63,220
US: *Rebates vary depending on state
ID.4 Standard - $41,160
ID.4 S - $46,280
ID.4 Pro - $46,300
ID.4 AWD Pro - $50,180
ID.4 Pro S - $51,420
ID.4 Pro S Plus - $54,600
ID.4 AWD Pro S - $55,300
ID.4 AWD Pro S Plus - $58,400
Main Competitors:
Chevrolet Blazer EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Honda Prologue, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model Y, Toyota BZ4X, Vinfast VF8
