The Volkswagen ID.4 is a Fully Electric SUV under $40,000
Editor’s note: This article was updated on 6/14/2023.
Volkswagen announced the newest EV SUV on the scene, the ID.4. This Volkswagen ID.4 electric crossover has some exciting features. From a white interior package and an integrated app, is the ID.4 ready to go up against Tesla’s electric sport utility vehicles?
What makes the Volkswagen ID.4 so interesting?
Many features make the new Volkswagen ID.4 worth taking a look at. Purely based on looks, the ID.4 has a glass roof, silver trim, and an attractive 20″ wheel design. It also has many white features on the interior, including the oddly-shaped gear selector and steering wheel.
Does it resemble the Volkswagen Beetle? It looks like the beetle’s older cousin. Complete with a cool roof. Volkswagen wants this to be the all-electric competitor of the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4. Volkswagen’s new Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB) is a core part of making the ID.4 versatile. It made room in the cabin due to the lack of an engine. This leaves 37.6 inches of leg space for four and 64.2 cu ft of cargo space.
The Volkswagen ID.4 has a 77.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 201-hp electric motor. This is estimated to get 250 miles for the 1st Edition and Pro S versions. A full charge usually takes an estimated eight hours on similar vehicles, which isn’t a great range-to-charge ratio.
Can the Volkswagen ID.4 live up to the competition?
Dan Neil of The Wall Street Journal said, “The ID.4 is five years behind the comparable Tesla.” That’s a harsh review, but does he have a point? Neil notes that the touch-screen interface looks a bit archaic and can respond slowly. The “Car-Net” app failed to work when prompted. This one fell on its face compared to Tesla’s streamlined remote interface. The good news is that Volkswagen can update this without returning to the dealership.
Neil noted that the Volkswagen ID.4 got less than 200 miles on a 90% charge, but the temperatures could have impacted that. One complaint that drivers lodged was that the touchscreen did not provide enough buttons for controls. More specifically, the climate controls, volume, and other menu items have touch-sensitive sliders that make it hard to adjust without looking.
These might be quirks that Volkswagen works out down the line. Comparing the ID.4 to the Tesla Model Y isn’t necessarily fair immediately, but comparisons are bound to happen.
How much will the ID.4 cost?
The 1st Edition of the Volkswagen ID.4 is currently sold out and should start delivering soon. It started at just under $44,000 and included the standard features. It is said to be available in Q1 of 2021, and the all-electric vehicle might be on the roads soon. 2021 ID.4Pro is promised for mid-2021. The starting MSRP was $39,995, and it included some extra features. These features include IQ.Drive, pro navigation with a 10″ screen and wireless charging. Heated front seats and steering wheel are also included.
These versions include three years of unlimited charging at Electrify America Charging Stations nationwide. Electrify America’s pricing varies by location, but the pass+ option costs $4 monthly. In addition to that, you are charged $0.31/kWh (kilowatt-hour).
The purchase price for the Tesla Model Y Long Range version is $48,990 without the potential tax rebate. This gets an estimated 326 miles per charge. The “performance” option gets an estimated 303 miles per charge at $56,690. For the price, some of the quirks might be worth a shot. Tesla has had a few years to work out the irregularities on the vehicles offered, and Volkswagen will eventually figure it out.
