The article was originally produced on January 12, 2021, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Volkswagen ID.4

The latest addition to Volkswagen's electric car family is called ID.4 and we have test driven it. 

After dieselgate, Volkswagen chose to completely restructure its operations. Among other things, they withdrew from motorsport and put all the focus on electrification. First up in the new electric car family from Volkswagen was the ID.3, which you could read about from the static presentation we reported directly from Amsterdam, as well as from the test drive we published last August. 

ID.4 lacks gimbal tunnel

The ID.4, the second car in the ID family, is an SUV in a compact format. The ground clearance of 21 centimeters is not breathtaking, but perfectly fine. Five people sit comfortably and with plenty of space. The gimbal tunnel has also made room for a flat floor between the seats, and the passenger sitting in the middle of the back seat thus gets a good amount of legroom.

In terms of appearance, the ID.4 differs a lot from the ID.3. Not just because it's an SUV, but also because of the shapes. Of course there are still similarities, the grill for example, but in my opinion ID.3 is tougher than ID.4. Whether it's because the ID.3 was intended as an image-building car, while the ID.4 is to appeal to the masses, I can only speculate. 

lots of buttons

Inside, the cars resemble each other all the more. The steering wheel and screens are of the same type, as are the controls on the inside of the doors. The system is good, but I think they have slimmed down quite a lot of buttons, which I also wrote about when I test drove the ID.3. But I am quite convinced that it is something you get used to, given enough time.

When it comes to range, Volkswagen states that you should be able to get a full 52 miles on a full charge. Unfortunately, I do not have the opportunity to drive that far with the car on this test drive day and will be allowed to come back when I have been able to test the car for a longer period of time. But if an electric car makes it that far, my range anxiety starts to subside significantly.

classic bubble

Just like on the ID.3, the electric motor is in the back and makes both cars rear-wheel drive. A bit exciting as you can go as far back in time as Volkswagen's classic bubble to find a similar recipe. It brings a great deal of playfulness on a day like this when the snow covers the roads. It is easy to get a nice hang with the rear end on the slippery surface. 

The ride in the ID.4 is very pleasant and comfortable. You sit well and have a good view around the car. Not as good as ID.3 but certainly nothing to complain about. You quickly get used to the quiet ride the ID.4, and electric cars in general, offer. Something you really appreciate in the long run. Another nice thing about the ID.4 and which is also synonymous with electric cars is the powerful acceleration. 

more fun to drive

Having driven both the ID.3 and ID.4, I personally prefer the ID.3. Mainly because I think it's tougher and a bit more fun to drive, thanks in large part to its lower and more compact form factor.

 

Volkswagen's electric car investment is truly magnificent and last year the ID.3 became the first electric car ever to outsell other car models in total. It is a good sign for the electrified future and we have only seen the beginning of what Volkswagen has in its electric car bag as many more models are on the way after the ID.4.