These days, automakers tend to design vehicles that are more flashy than functional. While those vehicles might look cool, they do not always offer the type of practicality and performance you need from a daily driver. Automakers don’t always understand that buyers want something more versatile than ostentatious.
Volkswagen knows there must be a balance between aesthetic appeal and functionality. Nowhere is this more present than in the Volkswagen ID.4, available now at a VW dealer near you. This all-electric, battery-powered compact SUV has more power than you might imagine just from looking at it, and it’s absolutely cavernous on the inside.
Some people have been deterred from buying the ID.4 in the past, but Volkswagen has solved that problem this model year by introducing a new lower-priced trim level to the 2023 lineup. With a plethora of features and class-leading cargo space, the ID.4 is both tech-savvy and built for utility. Just pop a squat behind the wheel of one and listen to how it begs to be used!
Up to 275 Miles of Range
There are several battery pack options available on the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. Opting for the new base trim level gives you a 62-kWh battery pack for 209 miles of electric range. However, a higher-powered 82-kWh battery pack generates up to 275 miles of range with rear-wheel drive (RWD) models or 255 miles of range with all-wheel drive (AWD) models.
RWD models have a power output of 201 hp, while AWD models put 302 hp on tap thanks to using a twin-motor configuration, with one motor per axle. When you need to recharge in a pinch, you can use this vehicle’s DC Fast Charging capability to get your battery back up to snuff; it only takes about 30-36 minutes to get from 10% to 80%, so you can quickly get back out on the road.
At home, you can charge using a Level 2 charger with a HomeStation that is Wi-Fi capable and Energy Star certified. A full overnight charge takes somewhere from 7.5 to 11.5 hours.
A Spacious Cabin
The Volkswagen ID.4 might not look all that large from the outside, but when you slip inside, it feels cavernous. There’s plenty of head- and legroom in the front row, and the second row is also generously spaced. You can easily sit two adults in the 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and there’s even an option to upgrade to a rear seat with a center armrest and pass-through space.
There are plenty of niceties inside the cabin designed for practicality; for instance, the Volkswagen ID.4’s standard cockpit digital instrument display shows important vehicle information without overwhelming the driver. Leatherette upholstery is an option if you want something a little more luxurious.
A New Trim for 2023
As already mentioned, there’s a new lower-priced trim level available for the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. The new base trim level is several thousand dollars cheaper than the previously-base ID.4 Pro. It has a 62-kWh battery pack and delivers an EPA-estimated 209 miles of electric range.
If you are worried that you will not get enough standard features, you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised. The suite of driver assistance tech offered by VW—known as IQ.DRIVE—comes standard on all trim levels, featuring tools like Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Travel Assist, Lane Assist, Front Assist, and Emergency Assist.
Also standard across all trim levels is the ID. Light & Discover Pro Max infotainment system with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, which includes built-in navigation. It is also outfitted with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, and heated front seats.
Class-Leading Cargo Volume
The Volkswagen ID.4 comes with class-leading cargo volume, making it easy for you to carry all kinds of items. With the rear seats left upright, there’s 30.3 cu.ft. of cargo space at your disposal; when you fold the rear seats down, that scales to an impressive 64.2 cu.ft.
There is a two-level load floor that offers more flexibility in terms of how you store your cargo. You can easily fit several large pieces of luggage back there without having to cram it in. Despite its sloping roofline, the ID.4 gives ample space for bulky items.
And the best part about that roofline? It’s available with a fixed plate of panoramic glass, providing a boundless view of the skies above. If the sunlight gets a little too harsh for your liking, you can activate an electric sunshade with a simple swipe of your finger.
Rear- and All-Wheel Drive
You can opt for RWD or AWD on most of the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4’s trim levels. RWD is a standard issue on the new base trim level, but the trim levels above it—the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus—give you the choice of sticking with RWD or opting for the AWD drivetrain.
AWD gives this vehicle 302 hp, which helps the ID.4 seem even more potently powerful. It makes for some light off-roading capabilities and gives you more stability and traction control when roads get slick. Your traction control is speed-based, and the ride height is lifted by 0.8 inches. You can still get a solid fuel economy from the AWD models, estimated to be about 255 miles on a full charge.
Abundance of Standard Features
No matter which trim level you decide to buy, the ID.4 is loaded to the brim with standard features known for their ease of use, responsiveness, and dependability. A redesigned center console stands between the front seats, with several large cupholders on the front portion, abutting two USB-C ports, and an illuminated wireless charging dock (for compatible smartphones) built into the back portion.
The previously available 12.0-inch Discover Pro Max touchscreen infotainment system is now standard across the lineup; it’s placed front and center on the dash and lets you manage your telematics, driver assistance features, navigation, and entertainment. “Hello ID” voice controls are also standard on each trim level; with this, you can issue commands that prompt your infotainment system to perform specific tasks. This system recognizes natural speech patterns with better accuracy than those comparable systems from rival automakers.
What’s more, the standard ID. Light system is a light strip along the dashboard, adapting its illumination and providing audible cues as needed to relay relevant information; it can indicate everything from incoming phone calls to when the navigation system issues turn instructions, and it can even indicate the vehicle’s charging level when it needs charging or is currently undergoing a recharge.
An Electrifying Addition to the EV Market
The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 is a smart, future-forward electric vehicle designed for the modern everyday driver. While it’s not quite as flashy as other EVs hitting the market, it has far more standard utility backing it up. You can get where you need to go with its 200-plus miles of all-electric range, and recharging the ID.4 is simple and quick.
While the Volkswagen ID.4 had been a little pricey in the past compared to some of its rivals, the introduction of the new base trim level opens up a path to ownership for those who might not have been able to justify the expense before. Consider visiting a Volkswagen dealer to explore the ID.4’s four trim levels and give your favorite one a test drive. We’re seriously excited about the new places this EV is going.
