What is it?
With new rules and regulations meaning electric vehicles will become the norm within the next decade or so, manufacturers are all making the switch. Volkswagen has been leading the way, with its ID range of cars.
The latest addition is the ID.4, with this SUV joining the ID.3 hatchback in the lineup. It’s expected to be a big-seller, and lead the charge to VW’s target of having made 19 million dedicated electric vehicles by 2030.
What’s new?
This is the second car to be built on Volkswagen’s new MEB electric vehicle platform, so pretty much everything you see is new. It allows the batteries to be placed low, meaning the weight balance is optimised and the cabin can be very spacious.
VW is planning to use its ID brand as the forefront of its move to be more environmentally friendly, using renewable energy at its ID plant and planning to reuse and recycle the car’s batteries at the end of its life.
What’s under the bonnet?
There’s a single electric motor that makes 201bhp and powers the rear wheels. Our test car was a First Edition model, so it also had the larger 77kWh battery, which promises over 300 miles of range on official tests.
With this being quite a big heavy vehicle, that power output doesn’t make it particularly punchy under acceleration. However, its power delivery is incredibly smooth and makes driving around town a relaxing experience.
What’s it like to drive?
Just because it doesn’t quite have the typical electric vehicle kick when you plant your foot doesn’t mean the ID.4 can’t be fun. With the low centre of gravity it can actually be hustled down a winding road at a decent pace.
That being said, the ID.4 USP is being a relaxing and easy car to drive in urban environments, and at this it excels. Even at motorway speeds, it’s quiet, with minimal road and wind noise.
How does it look?
The ID.4 isn’t the coolest looking car on sale today, ignoring the trend for sleek and stylish EVs designed to tempt buyers across from combustion engined cars. Instead, it’s meant to blend in with the rest of the traffic.
It’s a handsome thing, though, particularly from the front, with the chunky lower front bumper and squared off headlights giving it a muscular appearance.
How does it look?
The ID.4 isn’t the coolest looking car on sale today, ignoring the trend for sleek and stylish EVs designed to tempt buyers across from combustion engined cars. Instead, it’s meant to blend in with the rest of the traffic.
It’s a handsome thing, though, particularly from the front, with the chunky lower front bumper and squared off headlights giving it a muscular appearance.
What’s it like inside?
The interior has a minimalist design, with the large windows and open plan look making it feel light and airy. It’s very spacious, too, so you can imagine even with four adults on board, no one will be fighting for elbow room.
The lack of physical buttons takes some getting used to, but the touchscreen is quick and responsive. The only letdown is the capacitive buttons on the steering wheel, which are pretty horrible to use...
What’s the spec like?
The ID.4 range starts at £34,650 in City trim, which means it’s eligible for the plug-in car grant, while the top-spec Max starts at £49,990.
Our First Edition test car sits around the middle specifications, starting at £40,800. Standard kit includes 20-inch alloy wheels, tinted glass, gloss black exterior parts and some special First Edition badging.
Verdict
The ID.4 hasn’t been designed to wow with flashy style and gimmicks, instead it’s simply meant to be an SUV that’s practical and fits seamlessly into family life. With this in mind it’s excellent, with a smooth and relaxing driving experience and spacious cabin.
There are a few design quirks and materials that let the side down, but the overall impression is that the ID.4 should make switching from combustion to electric easy.