The car-shopping website Cars recently released its list of best EVs, and one Volkswagen tops its list for best value. That’s none other than the Volkswagen ID. 4, a reasonably priced crossover that we’ve called a “serious competitor” in the EV market. If you’re curious to learn what earned this car a top spot on the best value list, read on. We’ve got the details covered. 

A look at the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4

Car and Driver has laid out many of the most important specs on the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4. 

For starters, this VW crossover comes with the choice of a dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain. Those who buy the car without this option can expect around 201 horsepower, which increases to 295 with the enhanced powertrain. The single motor, rear-wheel version of this vehicle is known as the Pro, while the more powerful trim is known as the Pro S. 

The Pro S’s fuel economy comes in at 104 MPGe city and 89 MPGe highway. It offers an estimated range of 268 miles. Meanwhile, the rear-wheel-drive Pro model gets around 107 MPGe city and 91 MPGe highway and has around 280 miles of range before it needs charging. 

The VW ID.4 won a Cars.com award

Cars has awarded the Volkswagen ID.4 a top spot on its list of 2022 “top picks” for electric vehicles in the category of best value. The ID.4 received this honor primarily due to its relatively affordable price, at least compared with some other EVs on the market. The Pro starts at $42,425, while the Pro S comes with an MSRP of $46,925. 

Criteria for choosing the winners included price, range, comfort, and features, and more than 30 different makes and models were subjected to scrutiny before the top picks were selected. 

Cars explained its choice of the VW ID.4 as the “best value” EV by saying that the crossover “offers a lot of electric car for the money.” Compared with the average price of $60,000 for a new EV, it’s clear that the ID.4 is quite a bargain. 

Cars also pointed to the wide range of standard features that come with the vehicle, including  LED headlights, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-inch touchscreen navigation system. Volkswagen’s advanced technology that comes standard with the car includes wireless device charging, a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. 

With so much to offer at such a reasonable price, it’s no wonder the top honor for best value went to the ID.4. 

Are there any drawbacks to this Volkswagen EV?

Of course, no vehicle is perfect, and the Volkswagen ID.4 is no exception. In its article, Cars did find at least one feature it noted as a drawback to the ID.4. That would be the cabin’s touch-sensitive controls, which the website declared “frustrating.” 

Car and Driver noted a few negatives when it comes to the ID. 4 as well. It finds the crossover’s handling relatively unexciting, much like the vehicle’s exterior design. It also finds the infotainment center to be more of a challenge to use than is typical.

Then there’s the rear-wheel-drive ID.4’s acceleration power: the 7.6 seconds that it takes to go from 0 to 60 mph ranks behind many of its EV competitors. However, the enhanced powertrain model can make the leap in just 5.4 seconds. 

All in all, though, the positives on the VW ID.4 far outweigh the negatives, so it’s not surprising that Cars awarded it the top spot for Best Value EV.