5 Thoughts About the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4
Author:
Jason Fogelson.
I spent the week driving a 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, a compact electric vehicle (EV). My test car was a top-of-the-line ID.4 AWD Pro S model with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $55,300. It came with two electric motors putting out 335 horsepower combined, an 82-kilowatt-hour (gross) Lithium-Ion battery, a range of 263 miles, 175- to 200-kilowatt DC fast charging capability, and an EPA rating of 102 MPGe combined. I had some thoughts.
1. It has the VW feel.
I used to be a dedicated Volkswagen guy. I grew up in a VW family. My parents brought me home from the hospital in a 1959 Beetle. They soon added a 1964 VW Bus (not a 21-window, unfortunately). My dad had several other VWs over the years, including a Squareback, a Karmann Ghia, and a Quantum. My mom drove a Rabbit, followed by a Rabbit Convertible (before they changed the name to “Cabriolet.”). I owned a 1980 Rabbit, a 1974 Thing (why did I ever sell it?), a 1973 Sun Bug, a 1982 Scirocco, and a few more I can’t immediately remember. I haven’t owned a VW in a while but have driven almost every new model since 1980, including the Phaeton. This list is my long-winded way of saying – I know what a Volkswagen feels like. The instant I sat down in the ID.4 I knew I was in a car with a VW soul. It also has the coolest signature lighting around, with LED lines leading to an illuminated VW logo on the front fascia. I will be looking for this on the road when I drive after dark from now on.
2. It is very quick.
Volkswagen reports the ID.4 AWD Pro S can scoot from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. That makes it faster than every stock GTI VW built – and that’s a legendary hot hatch. The manual Golf R might be a tick faster, but it’d be close. The ID.4 delivers power predictably, and the all-wheel drive keeps things from getting squirrely. EVs always surprise me, even though I understand the physics of torque. The ID.4 can surprise and delight.
3. The instrument panel moves.
Instead of fixing the digital instrument panel in the driver’s dashboard behind the steering wheel, VW mounts the ID.4’s screen to the steering column. When you adjust the steering wheel for tilt or reach, the instrument panel moves with the wheel: up, down, forward, and back. Since the panel maintains a fixed relationship with the steering wheel, the wheel never blocks your view of the panel. The screen isn’t big compared to the Digital Cockpit Pro you can find in the Atlas. But it works perfectly, with a crisp, uncluttered display that reminds me of something you might find on a motorcycle. The Nissan Juke had a similar setup — and that was the only thing I liked about that vehicle.
4. The second row is tight; the cargo space is roomy.
Vehicle interior design and engineering is the art of compromise. Once you decide how big your cabin is, you must balance the space between equipment, passengers, and cargo. VW gave the ID.4 a big cargo hold behind the second row — 30.3 cubic feet. That’s great if you’re cargo. The driver gets 41.1 inches of legroom, while the second-row passenger gets 37.6 inches, and a little more would be welcome for adults. I’m 6-foot-2, and I was not comfortable back there. Your comfort may vary. I brought home a week’s worth of groceries without issues, so my cargo was happy.
5. It’s expensive.
The 2024 ID.4 Standard starts at $41,160 (including the destination fee). My loaded ID.4 test car was $55,300. The ID.4 is close in size to the VW Tiguan, a compact SUV you can pick up starting at $30,305. The ID.4 can qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit, which can moderate the cost for many buyers, but it still commands a premium over a comparable gas-powered SUV.
The Wrap
My week with the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 has renewed my VW roots. I found so much to like about this spunky EV SUV. It has personality, verve, and style. I could see one earning a slot in my garage next time I need a new vehicle. Perhaps the fuel savings could tip the balance – it cost $13.00 to charge the ID.4 from 20% to 100% this weekend and only took about 45 minutes at a DC fast charger while my wife and I ate breakfast at our favorite diner. Related:
2024 Volkswagen ID.4: Choosing the Right Trim.
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