2025 Volkswagen ID.4

The Volkswagen ID.4 is an all-electric compact SUV and was one of the first of its kind when it debuted several years ago. It helped launch what is becoming a popular segment with rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, Chevrolet Equinox EV, Nissan Ariya, and the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra twins. Compared to most of these contenders, the ID.4 has more conservative looks and doesn’t exactly shout that it’s an EV, which might be what you’re looking for. We like its range of up to 291 miles and its smooth, easy, and quiet driving manners.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of electric SUVs, including the Volkswagen ID.4.

For this model year, Volkswagen resumes building the ID.4 in Tennessee after stopping production the year prior to address a problem with the door handles. VW will focus on building the more powerful and longer-range Pro variants first, which will be offered in three trims: Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus. The Pro and Pro S trims are available with rear- or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the S Plus now only comes with all-wheel drive. VW says that models with the smaller battery will be available later. Volkswagen adds that “all models will receive additional content starting midyear,” but hasn’t said what that additional content will be.

The first 2025 VW ID.4 models to go on sale will be the pricier Pro models with the 82-kWh battery pack. At around $46,500, that makes the entry point of the ID.4 pricier than competitors–at least until the less expensive 62-kWh ID.4 models arrive. A Ford Mustang Mach-E, for example, starts at $38,490, while a base Chevrolet Equinox starts at $34,995. Thanks to price cuts of $6,000 or more, the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra also begin under the $40,000 mark. In contrast, other rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Nissan Ariya also begin lower than the Pro models of the ID.4. The Tesla Model Y, which is updated for 2025 and also launching pricier versions first, begins higher than the VW.

Before buying a new ID.4, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. The Volkswagen ID.4 has a resale value that trails its competitors. Remember: Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

As is the case with most of the competition, the bigger-battery and dual-motor all-wheel-drive models are the bestsellers in the ID.4 lineup, so it makes sense these are the first off the production line for 2025. Thus equipped, the ID.4 zips from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. That’s quick enough to delight unsuspecting passengers. Single-motor/rear-drive ID.4 Pro models (Pro = bigger battery) hit 60 mph in under six seconds, which still qualifies as quick enough for confident merging and passing.

We’ve found the ID.4 responsive and fluid around town, smooth and quiet on the highway. Outward vision is excellent, and we’ve appreciated the shorter-than-average wheelbase that makes the ID.4 maneuverable in parking lots. Overall, we’ve found that the ID.4 delivers just about everything we want and expect from an electric vehicle in this price range. If there were just one feature we would add, though, it would be one-pedal driving. Many rivals offer such a setting, which allows the EV to come to a complete stop by simply lifting your food off the accelerator pedal.

Range and Charging

The 2025 VW ID.4 is expected to have a range of up to 291 miles. That would be for a Pro model with rear-wheel drive. With all-wheel drive, the Pro models return up to 263 miles. At best, these figures are good but trail those of rivals. For example, a Tesla Model Y can run up to 337 miles, a Ford Mustang Mach-E up to 320, a Hyundai Ioniq 5 up to 318, and a Chevy Equinox EV up to 315. Range is even less for non-Pro ID.4 models with the smaller battery–an estimated 206 miles.

As for charging time, in a best-case scenario, it takes about 30 minutes for an ID.4 to go from 10% to 80% capacity using a public DC fast charger. That qualifies as about typical. For reference, the Ioniq 5 goes from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes, and a few other rivals are in that same ballpark.

Drivers who enjoy SUVs’ higher seating positions will be happy in the ID.4, along with all the other folks who appreciate easy entries and exits or not having to bend much when strapping a kid into their child seat. The ID.4, in general, favors a simple, minimalist 5-passenger cabin.

The dashboard keeps clutter to a minimum and the infotainment screen takes pride of place. Pro models come with a 12.9-inch touchscreen that is sharp enough, but we’ve found the touch-sensitive climate and volume controls directly beneath it fussy to operate. We’d much rather see—and feel—a dial or switches instead.

Cabin space is good for the class, with decent headroom in both rows and a useful 37.6 inches of rear legroom (although the Ioniq 5 has nearly 2 inches more). The luggage area behind the rear seats measures 30.3 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet when they’re folded down. That beats the Ioniq 5 convincingly. The only minor gripe here is the somewhat high load floor.

The ID.4 is similar in size to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6—big enough to accommodate and small enough to be easy to maneuver in town. Its visual impact is understated, which is fine with us. Those LED strips going across the nose and tail with the illuminated VW badges give the right amount of flair at night.

Infotainment system
Versions of the 2025 ID.4 with the bigger battery include a robust, 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that we’ve found easy to use. We also appreciate the standard wireless phone integration, wireless phone charging, and its ability to understand voice commands given in natural speech.

ID.Cockpit
It’s to be expected at this point in automotive technology, especially with an EV. Still, a digital driver information display is always cool (in our opinion) and gives the cabin a techy feel.

ID.Light
Another tech addition to the interior is the LED strip across the top of the dash, which pulses when the ID.4 is ready to drive and helps give navigation directions.

Park Assist Plus w/Memory Parking
We always welcome self-parking features, but this system has something extra—it can remember up to five specific parking maneuvers. Say you always have to make the same specific moves to park at home; it will be able to repeat those actions. And it’s standard.

IQ.Drive
This is the name of VW’s standard array of driver aids, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2025 VW ID.4 will launch first with the Pro models, which use an 82-kWh battery. It can be paired with a single motor and rear-wheel drive, with power output of 282 horsepower. All-wheel-drive versions get a second motor up front and makes 335 hp.

Later in the year, VW says it will again offer the ID.4 with the smaller 62-kWh battery pack, which is rear-wheel-drive only and makes 201 hp.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Volkswagen’s new-vehicle warranty, including powertrain coverage, lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. That’s a bit better than the 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage more common among mainstream brands, and a bit worse than the typical 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. And nobody beats Hyundai and Kia warranties. The ID.4’s battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The ID.4 received the accolade of Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2024 and a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).