The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Should qualify for $7,500 discount
- Comfortable ride and handling
- Top version has 291-mile range
- Big interior
Dislikes
- Too-basic cabin
- Unimpressive infotainment
- No one-pedal drive
- Some annoying controls
Buying tip
The 2025 VW ID.4 stands out as a good value, even if it’s not as exciting or stylish as top competitors.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4? What does it compare to?
The 2025 ID.4 is a five-seat electric crossover with two battery options and a choice between rear- or all-wheel drive. Its broad lineup can be compared to the Nissan Ariya, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6.
Is the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 a good car?
The ID.4 is a good overall choice with a wide lineup and a refined personality. Its big cabin and decent feature set earn it practicality points. We land on an 8.0 out of 10 overall score on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4?
All versions now have a 12.9-inch touchscreen as standard fare, while higher-end models add cooled front seats.
The ID.4 has a traditional crossover profile with smooth lines and a long roofline. Its squat proportions can give off sport-wagon vibes from certain angles, too. VW sweat the small stuff when it comes to its design details, like a wide rear lightbar and attractive black fender flares and lower cladding. It’s almost as if they forgot to finish its interior. Sure, there are some fun color options here, but the overall look is almost third-world microcar basic with the lack of buttons, knobs, and even variation between trim panels.
Instead, the ID.4 is all about what’s underneath. It’s offered with either a 62-kwh battery and rear-wheel drive or an 82-kwh battery with either a single or dual-motor (for all-wheel drive) setup. The zippiest of the bunch can hit 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, but the ID.4 isn’t tuned for rapid off-the-line acceleration the way some competitors are. Instead, its progressive power delivery may remind you more of a conventional gas-fueled car. That tuning makes the ID.4 less fun than competitors, though it is refined and rides quite well. Its good steering is an asset, too.
The ID.4 can go up to 291 miles on a charge in its top form, but shop carefully as the cheapest model is estimated at a less impressive 206 miles.
Perhaps the ID.4’s biggest asset is its spacious cabin. While far from luxurious, it is roomy and versatile, with comfortable front and rear seats and SUV-rivaling cargo space. There’s no frunk up front, though, as that’s where VW parks many of the ID.4’s powertrain bits.
The big 12.9-inch touchscreen inside is bright and has standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is helpful since the built-in software isn’t great.
On the plus side, the ID.4 has a stellar crash-test record including five stars from the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, plus all models come with a host of crash-avoidance features like automatic emergency braking that can detect and stop for pedestrians and cyclists, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. It doesn’t offer full hands-off tech, though at this price, that is no major omission.
How much does the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 cost?
The ID.4 runs about $41,000 to start, making it one of the least expensive new EVs — and that’s before you factor in the $7,500 tax credit many buyers will qualify for. It’s decently equipped at that price point, though dual-motor models with all-wheel drive and more range run $4,000 or so more.
Where is the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 made?
In Chattanooga, Tennessee. And that’s where its battery is made, too, thus helping it qualify for federal tax incentives.
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Styling
The 2025 VW ID.4’s cabin may be too tech-minimal for us.
Is the Volkswagen ID.4 a good-looking car?
It’s pleasant enough with its crossover-like proportions and SUV-esque cues. We score the 2025 ID.4 at 6 out of 10 here due to its pleasant exterior. Its cabin is light on flair, in comparison.
The ID.4 has a somewhat conventional, anodyne two-box profile. It earns its extra point above average thanks to pleasant detailing. Up front, a narrow black grille-like strip connects jellybean headlights over a bulbous front bumper. It’s more interesting from the side, where hints of unpainted plastic give it some SUV personality. A big light bar at the rear finishes things off nicely.
The cabin comes in a variety of colors, depending on the trim, but none look particularly fancy. The dash has a high-mounted 12.9-inch screen and a big, bulky center console, but precious little in the way of additional adornment. The bite-size instrument cluster framed by the steering wheel would work on a motorcycle, but it seems like an afterthought here. It’s a basic approach that doesn’t really work given what VW charges for these models. That’s not to say they’re expensive, but competitors generally offer a warmer and more inviting cabin experience.
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Performance
The ID.4 is quickest with optional AWD.
VW offers the ID.4 with either a 62-kwh or an 82-kwh battery pack, though in either setup it accelerates quickly and has a planted, confident feel around corners. We rate the 2025 ID.4's performance at 7 out of 10.
Is the Volkswagen ID.4 4WD?
It’s likely to be, though VW sells a rear-drive, single-motor version. Models with the upsized 82-kwh battery pack can be equipped a second motor over the front wheels that can engage (or disengage) in milliseconds when road conditions below call for more traction.
How fast is the Volkswagen ID.4?
The base version of the ID.4 isn’t rapid from a stop, but it has good around-town power. VW estimates it at around 7.7 seconds to 60 mph. It has a 62-kwh battery.
The rear-drive, 82-kwh version is rated at 282 hp and scoots to 60 mph in a rapid 5.9 seconds, while the 335-hp AWD model does the deed in just 4.9 seconds.
VW has tuned these cars for progressive power delivery rather than snappy, off-the-line acceleration like you’ll experience in the Tesla Model 3 or even the Nissan Leaf. Drivers coming from a conventional gas-fueled car may find the ID.4 to be an easier adjustment.
Various drive modes — Custom, Eco, Comfort, and Sport — tweak throttle response and steering feel, though in no situation is the ID.4 genuinely sporty. It has a well-controlled ride with a planted feel in corners, but it is never particularly nimble or communicative. The front strut and rear multi-link setup underneath is nothing special, but even models with available 20-inch alloy wheels wearing relatively low-profile tires soak up big bumps. Then again, the ID.4’s ability to mash the road below may be because it’s so heavy. The fleetest versions weight around 4,300 pounds, while a loaded-up model can tickle 5,000 pounds.
It also lacks a one-pedal model, though the B mode adds more brake regeneration and there is an auto-hold mode for stoplights.
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Comfort & Quality
The 2025 VW ID.4 is downright spacious inside.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 makes great use of its relatively compact 180.5-inch-long footprint. It scores an 8 here thanks to good front seats, plenty of rear-seat room, and an SUV-rivaling cargo area.
The front seats have long cushions and a choice between manual or, on higher-end versions, 12-way power adjustment. Top models even have massaging front seats. Between the front seats, the big center console has cupholders and a wireless charging pad with a convenient device-holding clip.
Rear-seat riders access the bench via big doors. Once there, they’ll find a supportive bench and enough hip room for three adults.
The ID.4 can hold 30.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, which grows to 64.2 cubes with the seatbacks folded down. Some models have a two-tier setup that allows users to hide cargo out of sight. Don’t look for a frunk, though. The ID.4 has just one cargo storage area.
The ID.4 is quiet but not particularly lavish inside. Its interior trim has a classy appearance, but that’s it. Materials are just so-so, and VW’s decision to create a complicated three-button/switch arrangement to operate the windows (instead of four conventional switches) seems gimmicky at best, and cheap at worst.
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Safety
The ID.4 has a good crash-test record.
How safe is the Volkswagen ID.4?
It’s a safe EV. The 2025 ID.4 has earned a five-star NHTSA rating and top scores in most IIHS testing for a Top Safety Pick award. It also comes standard with a good array of driver-assistance and crash-avoidance tech, earning it an 8 on the TCC scale.
The ID.4 comes with automatic emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, active lane control, parking sensors, and an adaptive cruise control system that can automatically execute lane changes.
Higher-end versions add a surround-view camera system.
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Features
VW offers the ID.4 in a wide range of trim levels all covered by an impressive warranty.
The VW ID.4 is available in seven somewhat confusing configurations, though deciding just how much range or traction you need may help whittle that list down.
Overall, we score the lineup at 9 out of 10 since the ID.4 has a big 12.9-inch touchscreen, decent standard equipment, lots of options, and a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty with 2 years of maintenance.
The range kicks off in rear-drive ID.4 Standard trim for around $41,000. It’s not particularly lavish, but it has heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, parking sensors, proximity keyless entry, and a host of crash-avoidance and driver-assistance features. And its big screen has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
If the ID.4 Standard is light on features, another $5,000 or so buys the ID.4 S with 12-way power-adjustable front seats wrapped in synthetic leather, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and massaging front seats.
The infotainment system’s big screen is a delight, but its baked-in menuing system can confuse. Add in the lack of buttons and knobs (plus annoying touch-sensitive sliders for some climate functions) and the ID.4 comes up short in the controls department.
Which Volkswagen ID.4 should I buy?
The extra $5,000 or so for the ID.4 Pro adds 85 miles of estimated range, plus adaptive cruise control and a few other niceties. It seems worth the spend to us, unless you plan to use your ID.4 for shorter distances.
The dual-motor AWD Pro is equipped about the same for $50,000, though it has a trailer hitch and its range slides to 263 miles.
How much is a fully loaded Volkswagen ID.4?
The better-equipped, 291-mile ID.4 Pro S has 12-way power-adjustable and massaging front seats, synthetic leather trim, a heated steering wheel, a power tailgate, and a big sunroof for $51,000 or so. On this model, the nearly identical ID.4 AWD Pro S adds a second motor but drops the range estimate to 263 miles.
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Fuel Economy
The 2025 ID.4 offers competitive range and efficiency.
Is the Volkswagen ID.4 good on energy?
At over 3 miles per kwh, the 2025 VW ID.4 offers good efficiency. It’s a 10 on our scale.
Range varies by the number of motors. The top ID.4 Pro versions with rear-wheel drive and a single motor are estimated at up to 291 miles of range, or 113 MPGe. That’s impressive, though these are the costliest models in the lineup.
The more popular ID.4 Pro with dual motors and all-wheel drive checks in at 263 miles of range, or 102 MPGe combined. The cheapest rear-drive ID.4 models are estimated at just 206 miles of range, or 107 MPGe.
The ID.4 can charge from 10% to 80% in as fast as half an hour on a DC fast charger, though the larger battery can charge at a more impressive 175 kw. Home charging on 240-volt Level 2 plug takes about 6.5 hours with the 11-kw onboard charger.
