Volkswagen ID 4 Comfort Range and Technology for Everyday Use

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 17, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Volkswagen ID.4 review: range, battery & charging

Drivetrain	Battery size	Range	Wallbox charge time	Rapid charge time
Pure / Pure Performance	52kWh	223miles	8hrs 30mins (0-100%, 7.4kW)	29mins (10-80%, 110kW)
Pro / Pro Performance	77kWh	317-328miles	12hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW)	34mins (10-80%, 125kW)

The ID.4 is now available with five powertrains: Pure, Pure Performance, Pro, Pro Performance (which are all rear-wheel-drive), plus Pro Performance 4MOTION and GTX, which are both available exclusively with four-wheel-drive.

Pure and Pure Performance models make use of a 52kWh battery, while Pro, Pro Performance and GTX cars make use of a larger 77kWh battery. With ID.4 Pro models offering up to 328 miles on a single charge, the Volkswagen SUV gives you electric range thats in-line with other electric family SUVs such as the Nissan Ariya, but slightly behind that of the Tesla Model Y.

Volkswagen ID.4 range

With a maximum range of up to 223 miles from their 52kWh battery, Pure and Pure Performance cars are best-suited for those looking to spend almost all of their time driving around town. Step up to the 77kWh Pro and Pro Performance models and this figure is boosted to nearly 330 miles. During our time with the car in the mild spring weather, we could only achieve a range of 235 miles, which is a far cry from VWs claimed figure. We recommend specifying the optional heat pump (around 1,000) to maximise efficiency during the winter months.

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The high-spec GTX models come with the 77kWh battery, too, although range is lower than for other versions, at 308 miles between charges. This can be attributed to the all-wheel-drive powertrain, higher power output and added weight of the GTXs additional standard equipment.

Charge time

You can top the ID.4 up quickly thanks to 110 or 125kW rapid charging capability, with the difference in battery size all but cancelling out the difference in total charging times across the various models. If you buy a model capable of charging at 135kW and can find a fast enough charger 'in the wild', you can add nearly 200 miles of range in just 30 minutes. Using a home wallbox charger, you can take the 77kWh battery from empty to full in 12 hours and 15 minutes, which is doable overnight. The 52kWh versions take eight-and-a-half hours to do the same.

2023 Volkswagen ID.4 First Drive Review: Locally Sourced, Base is Ace

FAST FACTS

Motor:	2x)
Battery Capacity:	62.0 kWh / 82.0 kWh
Output:	295 hp, 339 lb-ft)
Transmission:	1AT, FWD/AWD
US fuel economy (MPGe):	115/99/107 (62 kWh), 104/91/99 (AWD 82 kWh)
CAN fuel economy (Le/100KM):	2.0/2.4/2.2 (62 kWh), 2.3/2.5/2.4 (AWD 82 kWh)
Range:	209 mi (62 kWh), 255 (AWD 82 kWh)
Starting Price (USD):	$38,790 (inc. dest.)
As-Tested Price (USD):	$38,790 / $52,590 (inc. dest.)
Starting Price (CAD):	$45,945 (inc. dest.)
As-Tested Price (CAD):	$45,945 / see text (inc. dest.)

Volkswagen is really taking the shop local mindset seriously with the refreshed 2023 ID.4 EV.

When sales started a year and a half ago, North America got its goods from the same place everyone else did: the Zwickau-Mosel plant in Germany. It was, to put it simply, a bottleneck, even before the industry-wide supplier shortages. After an $800-million dollar investment in Chattanooga, Volkswagen has adapted its production facility there to not only build the ID.4, but the batteries that power it. To mark the occasion, the brand has tweaked the ID.4 for the 2023 model year, creating a package unique to North America. Not only that, the Peoples Car people have also added a more affordable, smaller-battery option to anchor the lineup.

The changes dont dramatically alter VWs dedicated electric SUV. Instead, the result is a quietly competent choice in an increasingly competitive segment. Factor in a bargain price tagand the possibility of even further rebates in Canada and the USand the 2023 VW ID.4 has become one of the most appealing packages on the market.

Get a Quote on a New 2023 Volkswagen ID.4

Whats new?

With its trip to Chattanooga, the 2023 ID.4s big news is that entry-level model. A 62-kilowatt-hour battery pack resides under the floor, shortening range to a still-useful 209 miles (336 kilometers). The other figures are still the same: 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque through the rear wheels via an electric motor and one-speed transmission. The battery is made at the same facility, and has the same exterior dimensions; it simply has nine modules instead of the 82-kWh packs dozen. The smaller pack also shaves a couple hundred pounds out of the package, and allows for a lower starting price of $38,790 ($45,945 CAD), including destination.

The localized ID.4 doesnt alter the dimensions of the established package. Theres been a few subtle tweaks outside, like a switch to gloss black trim pieces and an entirely different eight-color exterior paint lineupfive of which are also available on the Atlas with which the ID.4 shares its production facility. S models also gain standard 20-inch wheels and light-up logos on both ends of the car.

Inside, Volkswagen has dropped in a new standard heathered fabric with leatherette highlights. The higher-trim models go full faux-leather in a choice of Galaxy (black) or Cosmic (a sweet white-and-blue combo). A rejigged center console better addresses the needs of American customers, and the previously optional 12.0-inch central touchscreen is now standard on all trims.

2023 Volkswagen ID.4 interior and comfort

Even though this is my first experience driving the ID.4, theres something pleasantly familiar about it. The door opening is large, and the lateral move into the seat is easy. Large windows, a low cowl, and a big ol panoramic moonroof combine for an airy cabin thats easy to see out of. Material quality and fit and finish are bang on target for the class, even in these pre-production model testers. The AWD Pro S model I spend most of the day in has the black interior, but a poke around the Cosmic interior confirms its the one I prefer. If I didnt live somewhere that spends about six months battling snow, of course

2023 Volkswagen ID.4 technology and features

There has been a lot of talk about Volkswagens latest infotainment system, specifically consternation about the touch-sensitive controls that accompany it. Those dont change for the 23, so the fiddly temperature and volume controls remain. Same goes for the unusual window switches: there are just two for the driver, and a touch-sensitive button controls whether they operate the front or rear windows. Would you get used to both over the course of ownership? Almost certainly. Is it adding unnecessary complication to simple tasks? Also yes.

2023 Volkswagen ID.4 driving impressions

To drive, the 2023 ID.4 is the same as the previous year. The AWD Pro S tester I spend most of the day in continues to use a two-motor setup. Its good for a combined 295 hp and 339 lb-ft, making the ID.4 more than quick enough for everyday duties. Heading out of town on the highway, the ID.4 AWD is quiet and composed, smoothing out bumps in the road. The steering is light yet direct, making for a consistent, predictable steer. It also has a commendably tight 36.42-foot (11.1-meter) turning circle, so its easy to slot into tighter spots.

Once out of the city and tracing the Appalachians, the ID.4 remains firmly on the comfort side of the spectrum, which feels appropriate. There are selectable drive modes, including an AWD-exclusive Traction setup, but the car feels happiest in its default setting. Like most other EVs, the ID.4 keeps its heavy battery pack low in the floor, but the winding road makes it feel much closer to its quoted 4,877-pound (2,212-kg) curb weight. Push further and the ID.4s soft suspension nibbles away at driver confidence, taking too long to settle from one motion to feel truly ready for the next. There are more appropriate choices in the class for the fun-chasing driver, but realistically, the ID.4s more relaxed nature is better suited to most buyers needs.

Twist the stubby cluster-mounted drive selector to B and the ID.4 ups its regenerative braking. Its still some of the lightest in the class, and it wont bring the car to a complete stop either, so one-pedal fans will be disappointed. VW says this approach is more efficient, as it requires less energy than fully slowing down then speeding back up. How German.

A short drive in the 62-kWh model shows off a similar driving experience. The single-motor car is slightly slower, but also lighter, so it turns in a little sharper. It feels wholly adequate for day-to-day needs, and 209 miles (336 km) is plenty for most cases.

Updates to the battery chemistry and software have improved charging speeds. The smaller battery is capable of a maximum 140 kW charging speed, while the 82-kWh pack can now hit 170 kW (up from 135 kW). This means both can perform the typical 1080 percent SoC metric in around 30 minutes on a DC fast charger.

2023 Volkswagen ID.4 pricing and competition

The headline figure for the 2023 ID.4 is certainly the 62-kWh base trims very reasonable $38,790 ($45,945 CAD) starting price, including destination. Thats a whole lot of car for the money, including goodies like keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, wireless charging, the 12.0-inch touchscreen, and a robust driver assist suite. New additions to the latter include driver-initiated lane changes with the adaptive cruise control, and a memory parking feature, which can automatically handle tight parking jobs for regular spots.

In America, the jump up to the 82-kWh battery pack is a cool $5,000, and the addition of a second motor for AWD a further $3,800. From there, the S trim adds another five grand to any of the three permutations, along with the upgraded seating, adaptive headlights, heated steering wheel, 20-inch alloys, panoramic glass roof, hands-free tailgate, and more. Finally, the S Plus trim replaces the old Gradient pack, bringing in tri-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera, and unique exterior design cues for a further $2,500 on the big-battery models only. I spent most of the day in a $52,590 ID.4 AWD Pro S.

Canadas trim walk is largely similar, though a company spokesperson was quick to point out the Great White Norths preference for AWD is over 90-percent in the class, versus roughly 50-percent in the USA. Nonetheless, the company expects reasonable demand for the $45,945 CAD, rear-drive 62-kWh model, simply because of that price point. The 82-kWh models start from $49,945 CAD (RWD) and $54,945 CAD (AWD), while the range tops out at $63,395 CAD. Crucially, the ID.4 will soon be available across nearly all Canadian dealers, instead of only three provinces (Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario), and VW Canada will be introducing its centralized VolksKlick online ordering program.

Final Thoughts: 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 First Drive Review

Volkswagens iterative approach to the 2023 ID.4 has turned it into the dark horse of the compact EV SUV crowd. It might lack the wow factor of the flashier Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, or the driving verve of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but the ID.4s low-key nature is part of its appeal. This is a practical, spacious, and comfortable compact SUV that just so happens to be all-electric, not the other way around. Factor in the smart interior revisions, increased availability that the localized production will provide, and that super affordable entry-level model, and its safe to say more people will open up their eyes and see the sign.