Reviewing the electric VW ID 4

The electric VW ID 4 review

The Volkswagen group may not have been as quick as some manufacturers to the EV market but without a doubt they have quickly managed to be in a position where they can supply options in most segments and budgets.

With the supermini (and city favourite) UP!, the hatchback ID3, SUV Coupe ID5 and the MPV ID Buzz, there is no debate as to what is key to VW. And their Tiguan equivalent ID4 has been a popular electric SUV in the UK with this being a credible family-friendly car which offers both aesthetics and ergonomics to the driver.

Both personal and business lease customers have been equally receptive of this model. But that is not to say that the ID4 has been without competition - the Skoda Enyaq, Volvo XC40, Nissan Ariya and Genesis GV60 are credible alternatives and UK customers have a litany of positive vehicles to enjoy. There are so many new and exciting products to enjoy in the new car market; product choice is no longer an obstacle.

Before discussing the options available, it may be worth addressing one of the biggest questions we face at e-car - “how long does it take to order a new VW ID4?”. Over the last 12 months, the UK has faced some interesting challenges which has very much changed the way in which our automotive industry operates.

While we have probably become too comfortable with the array of stock, discounts and options to lease, the new austere position has led to a completely new mindset on vehicle procurement. Because of microchip and parts shortages, the movement of car production to new countries not to mention the shift from petrol / diesel to pure electric, the speed of ordering a new car to actual delivery has altered dramatically.

Where our team would commonly quote 8 - 16 weeks for most cars has now been replaced with an ETA of 6 - 12 months! And VW have not been immune from this with many of their key products being subject to long-lead times and delays. With the added complication of demand for zero-emission solutions, reducing discounts, increasing prices and interest rate changes, the absence of price certainty has not provided the best environment for us all.

The good news is that the latter part of 2022, Q4, is proving to be more generous than the last 12 months; our e-car lease team received their first tranche of 30 ID4s which were ordered the same time last year (Sept 2021). And the suggestions are that factory times will start to improve, along with consumer confidence!

And whether or not the ID4 is the BEST affordable electric SUV is very much a subjective matter. With EVs we do find that customer requirements can pertain to the range and miles the ID4 can do, how long the ID4 takes to charge, the size of the vehicle or the performance. There is no one key data or observation which ultimately determines what is the best EV, it’s all about what is the right solution for your needs and requirements (or for your business fleet). But is there not just one battery configuration? VW have created one of the most diverse EVs from a battery setup perspective with a litany of options including:

•  Pure - a 52 kWh usable battery which offers 109 kW (or 146hp), 0 - 62 times of 10.9 seconds and 99 mph. The combined cold weather range is around 150 miles and the warmer weather range is around 200 miles (EV’s are influenced by the weather and external conditions). For charging times, the 7.2 kW AC max enables 8 hour and 30 minute 0 - 100% charging times with the 118 kW DC allowing for 33 minute 10 - 80 % rapid charge times. This model has a fuel equivalent of 136 mpg and can tow up to 1000kg (braked);    
•  Pure Performance - a 52 kWh usable battery which offers 125 kW (or 168hp), 0 - 62 times of 9.0 seconds and 99 mph. The combined cold weather range is around 150 miles and the warmer weather range is around 200 miles. For charging times, the 7.2 kW AC max enables 8 hour and 30 minute 0 - 100% rapid charge charging times with the 118 kW DC allowing for 33 minute 10 - 80 % rapid charge times. This model has a fuel equivalent of 136 mpg and can tow up to 1000kg (braked);    
•  Pro - a 77 kWh usable battery which offers 128 kW (or 172hp), 0 - 62 times of 10.4 seconds and 99 mph. The combined cold weather range is around 215 miles and the warmer weather range is around 290 miles. For charging times, the 11 kW AC max enables 8 hour and 15 minute 0 - 100% charging times with the 135 kW DC allowing for 33 minute 10 - 80 % rapid charge times. This model has a fuel equivalent of 134 mpg and can tow up to 1000kg (braked);    
•  Pro Performance - a 77 kWh usable battery which offers 150 kW (or 201hp), 0 - 62 times of 8.5 seconds and 99 mph. The combined cold weather range is around 215 miles and the warmer weather range is around 290 miles. For charging times, the 11 kW AC max enables 8 hour and 15 minute 0 - 100% charging times with the 135 kW DC allowing for 33 minute 10 - 80 % rapid charge times. This model has a fuel equivalent of 134 mpg and can tow up to 1000kg (braked); and  
•  GTX - a 77 kWh usable battery which offers 220 kW (or 295hp), 0 - 62 times of 6.2 seconds and 112 mph. The combined cold weather range is around 210 miles and the warmer weather range is around 280 miles. For charging times, the 11 kW AC max enables 8 hour and 15 minute 0 - 100% charging times with the 175 kW DC allowing for 30 minute 10 - 80 % rapid charge times. This model has a fuel equivalent of 129 mpg and can tow up to 1000kg (braked).

And with more battery configurations emerging, such as the ID.4 ESTATE195kW 4MOTION Life Ed Pro Perform 77kWh 5dr Auto it is clear that the ID4 offers more choice than any other model equivalent in this segment. And there are also a number of good specifications to choose from including:

•  Life Edition - from £37,900 the entry model offers 18” alloys, comfort seats, LED headlights, Wireless App, heated front seats, armrests, leather multi-function steering wheel, navigation, wireless phone charger, parking assist (front and rear parking sensors), rear view camera and adaptive cruise control;
•   Style Edition - from £41,320.00 this adds panoramic glass sunroof, laminated safety glasses, matrix LED headlights, climate control, keyless entry and start;
•  GTX - from £51,580.00 the sports performance option adds  20” alloys, GTX seats, matrix LED lights with automatic control, 12” navigation screen, augmented reality HUD, Dynaudio, progressive steering; and
•  GTX Max - from £58,390.00 the top of the line adds the complete experience for EV drivers with adaptive chassis control, heat pump, area view camera and electrically-operated and closing boot added.

Each option can be built with a bespoke touch, including colour contrast black roof, alloys upgrades (some are standard with 18” options), the energy efficient heat pump, a swivelling towbar (for £890) or a Design Plus Package (for panoramic glass sunroof and privacy glass).

Regardless of the specification and configuration, the ID4 doesn’t deviate from VW’s reputation for reliability and quality. And the automotive press have been equally pleased with CarWow at 7/10, Auto Express at 4/5, Top Gear at 7/10 and Parkers at 3.8 / 5.

There is no doubt you get what you pay for and a robust experience will follow. It is no surprise that the ID4 remains one of the best-selling company cars and salary sacrifice options with drivers wanting to enjoy the incredibly low 2% BiK rates in place within the UK’s tax regime until at least 2025. If you want to join other happy customers, just head to our ID4 leasing deals section  

Volkswagen Id.4 Electric Estate 109kW Life Pure 52kWh 5dr Auto (Pure Electric Vehicle)

In terms of the car shown, the Volkswagen Id.4 Electric Estate 109kW Life Pure 52kWh 5dr Auto (Pure Electric Vehicle), this is based on the following configuration:

•  Blue Dusk Metallic paint
• Art velours microfleece cloth - Soul black/Platinum grey
•  18" Aero steel wheels
•  Type 2 charging cable (Suitable for Public charging and home wallbox charger – Fast  charging)

What is the range of the ID4 Life Pure?

What is the battery capacity and charging speed on the ID4 Life Pure?

How long does it take to charge the ID4 Life Pure?

What is the company car tax on the ID4 Life Pure?

Where can I charge the ID4 Life Pure?