2024 Volkswagen ID.4

The ID.4 is an accomplished and well-considered electric SUV, and has been since its launch for the 2021 model year. Volkswagen got a lot of things right with the ID.4 and has been improving it steadily ever since. Rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Ford Mustang Mach-E raised expectations in terms of power and range, and the ID.4 sees improvement on both of those fronts for 2024. Consistent with our own time behind the wheel — and with what we see and hear as common themes across most electric vehicles — owners praise the ID.4 as smooth, quiet, and enjoyable to drive.

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

Most of the changes this year focus on the ID.4 Pro models, which have a larger battery. That’s okay, because the Pro models are by far the most popular. Key improvements for 2024 include more power, better range, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, improved audio and climate controls (thank goodness), and a relocated transmission selector.

This class of electric SUVs also includes the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (from $41.6K), Kia EV6 (from $42.6K), Nissan Ariya (from $43K), and the Ford Mustang Mach-E (from $43.5K). Those looking for the competitor with the best range might also want to check out the Tesla Model Y, starting at around $44K.

The ID.4 is made in Tennessee, so buyers may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 — see if you qualify.

Before buying a new ID.4, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Tesla enjoys the strongest resale values of this crowd, while ID.4 models are a bit below average. 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 best-sellers in the ID.4 lineup. So equipped, the newly fortified ID.4 zips from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. That’s quick enough to delight unsuspecting passengers. Single-motor/rear-drive 2024 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 to be 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.

People who love the raised driving position of SUVs 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 dashboard keeps clutter to a minimum and the infotainment screen takes pride of place. One other little change this year is that ID.4 variants with the bigger battery also have a revised interface for the climate control system, which we’ve found much easier to use. 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. We’d say the only minor gripe here is the somewhat high floor.

The ID.4 is similar in size to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 — big enough to be accommodating, small enough to be easy in town. Its visual impact is understated, which is fine by us. Those LED strips going across the nose and tail with the illuminated VW badges give the right amount of flair at night. This year, the Standard version with all-wheel drive gains 20-inch alloy wheels, and S Plus models now roll on 21-inch alloys.

Infotainment system
Versions of the 2024 ID.4 with the bigger battery also come with a larger infotainment touchscreen, now measuring 12.9 inches. The rest of the lineup sticks with the usual 12-inch version. We’ve found this system 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, but a digital driver information display is always cool (in our opinion) and gives the cabin a tech-y feel.

ID.Light
Another tech addition to the interior is the LED strip across the top of the dash that 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.

This year’s battery improvements increase the ID.4’s maximum range. The Pro models with all-wheel drive achieve 263 miles, up from 255. The rear-drive Pro runs for 291 miles (up from 275). Keep in mind, though, that the maximum ranges of several rivals reach past the 300-mile mark. For example, the Tesla Model Y Long Range is rated at 330 miles.

It takes about 30 minutes for an ID.4 to go from 10% to 80% capacity using a 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.

The standard battery in the ID.4 is rated at 62 kilowatt-hours (kWh), delivering an unimpressive 209 miles of range.

An 82-kWh battery comes in the Pro variants, which sparks off some changes for 2024. In combination with a single motor, output is raised significantly from 201 to 282 horsepower; all-wheel-drive versions go from 295 to 335 horsepower. In combined city/highway driving, the rear-drive Pro returns the equivalent of 113 mpg (MPGe). With all-wheel drive, the Pro and Pro S can manage 102 MPGe combined. The base ID.4 is rated for 107 MPGe combined.

For a little context, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has similar efficiency ratings: 114 MPGe combined for long-range, all-wheel drive models, and 110 MPGe for the base version.

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,o0o-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage more common among mainstream brands, and a bit worse than the typical 5-year/60,ooo-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 as well as a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).