Practical experience Volkswagen ID4: this is what owners of large electric VW think

Those who paid attention saw that we previously highlighted practical experiences with the Skoda Enyaq here. In fact, these Enyaq and ID4 are competitors, with Skoda currently leading the way in sales statistics. As with the Skoda, ID4 drivers can choose from two battery packs (net 52 kWh and 77 kWh) and three engine variants. The top model, the ID4 GTX, is four-wheel drive and no less than 220 kW (299 hp) strong. Prefer a sloping roofline? Then you must have the Volkswagen ID5.

Practicality VW ID4

Compared to the ID3, the ID4 is currently more popular, which can partly be explained by the larger space available. At least that’s true for the next ID4 1st rider, who also considered an ID3. “We wanted a roomy trunk for prams etc. and therefore decided to wait for the ID 4. We are very satisfied with the space in the back. I do regret the lack of a frunk. The charging cables go under the floor, of course, but this seems really less convenient on holiday.”

Another argument is described by another ID4 1st rider. “What I also personally like is the high entry. Yes, I’m still a young 30’er, but secretly it’s very comfortable to get in a bit higher and sit higher. Loading the children is now also possible without much bending over, which is very nice.” Then the short description of an ID4 77 kWh Business driver: “Spacious car in which everyone is spacious and in which a lot of luggage can be taken.”

VW ID4: seating comfort

Many positive things are said about the ID4’s seating furniture. “When test driving the ID3, we had to get used to the ‘German’ seats. Much sturdier than those from the French cars. The finish level was also a bit disappointing for such an expensive car. For our taste, the ID4 has nicer seats that also look better. The adjustment options are quite sparse, but they are basically good,” reports the owner who chose the ID4 partly because of the space. “The seat is very good for my stature (1.90 meters and 100 kg),” writes another rider. “I have the standard interior, but the seats are not too short or too soft.” Nabrander: “Co-driver’s seat is not adjustable in height”, a comment we see more often.

According to several drivers, one aspect of the ID4 seats could be improved: “In this version they provide a little less lateral support”, one owner summarizes several reactions. We single out his review because he also highlights other things. “Heating for the rear seats could be better. It can be chilly in the backseat, especially in winter – and the backseat offers little comfort.” We don’t read the latest comments from other users, but may be worth investigating if you’re considering an ID4.

VW ID4: ease of use and infotainment

The new operating concept of modern Volkswagens is certainly not without scrutiny. Both ID3 and Golf drivers expressed criticism of the system, which relies almost entirely on a central touchscreen. This ID4 driver is aware of this criticism and writes: “Infotainment: plenty has been written about all the bugs and lag, of course. In version 0783 I personally think it’s not too bad. At least I expected worse. It takes quite a while to start up, but after that you can manage just fine in the menus.” “I cannot agree with complaints about the difficult operation,” writes another driver who drives the same version. “I can now find everything blindly and it also works. Yes, it is true, sometimes the response to the controls could be a bit faster, but perhaps this will be adjusted with the software update.”

So the system seems to be getting used to, although … “What I easily get used to is the multimedia system, although the slowness (stuttering and operation of seat heating) is striking in 2021,” writes the owner of a very fully equipped ID4 1st Max. Even after several updates it is not as fast as desired. “The speed seems to have increased slightly on startup. You first had to drive a few hundred meters before you could set the temperature and navigation, which was now faster.” An experience shared by several ID4 drivers.

The central screen is not the only screen in the car, the ID4 also has a digital instrument panel. This is not uncritically received. “The information on the display behind the wheel is very limited. I would like to see things like the radio station, the mileage, the trip meter and the consumption,” explains one of these critical drivers.

Driving the VW ID4

How the Volkswagen ID4 drives in the eyes of users? “I am still positively surprised about the driving comfort, which is comparable to the higher segment, both in terms of space, quietness and driving behavior. The latter is partly due to the adaptive chassis and low center of gravity of the car. I would take this car again for this reason,” says this enthusiastic ID4 1st Max driver. Another Max driver is also charmed by the handling. “Driving the ID4 is a very positive experience. It all drives comfortably and with little noise. If necessary, the car accelerates quickly and with all the power of the 204 hp. Driving over the Gotthardpass was an experience. The car drives up without any problem. It’s great that you have all the power available right away.”

Without an adaptive chassis, the ID4 seems less convincing. “The ID4 is not a curve knight. Rather soggy. Loom. Not interested”, is the critical explanation of an ID4 77 kWh Business driver. He continues: “I even tend to find it a bit tricky when things go a little faster in slightly humid conditions. Twice already I was surprised by a swish of the butt at a speed that my (previous) Opel Insignia accepted without batting an eyelid. And again: I’m a generally docile driver who uses his nickname Captain Slow wears with pride.” Another negative experience from the same tube: “From about 130 kilometers per hour, the car really loses its stability. Then it all becomes a bit woolly and vague and the ID4 steps out of its comfort zone.” We have not read the latter more often, most drivers are satisfied with the handling of their ID4 – or never drive faster than 130 km / h.

People write very different reviews about the driver assistance systems present. From ‘the travel assist and adaptive cruise control work very well’ to ‘the faults have long ceased to be a nuisance to me. But downright annoying and simply dangerous for other traffic.’

Quality Volkswagen ID4

Reports about malfunctions and irritations also vary, although this could also be related to the reputation of the car. “The car appears to be very reliable in practice,” writes a cheerful owner, to continue: “I’ve only had two times when the software suddenly gave strange messages. If you then stop, turn everything off and wait a few minutes, everything will be back to normal. Just like with your desktop at home.” Later, at about 55,000 kilometers, cells in the battery pack of this rider’s ID4 were replaced. A repair that was also carried out on the driver who was previously critical of the handling of his car.

Although the hardware fails in some cases, the vast majority of complaints relate to the software. For example, several drivers report that the exterior mirrors sometimes do not fold out when starting the car. The infotainment system is also not always stable: “Navigation sometimes fails during long journeys. The navigation can then no longer calculate the route. This has happened on every holiday trip,” reads one of these experiences.

Range and charging

Most of our reviewers’ VW ID4s are equipped with the 77 kWh battery pack. What can they expect in terms of range? “A longer ride, 340 km to be exact. Load? Not necessary!” said an enthusiastic driver. “Consumption on the highway was around 6 degrees outside and 100 km/h neatly around 20 kWh/100 km, which means a range of 385 km (if charged to 100 percent). Not bad for a ‘winter temperature’!”

This rider describes the expected range and charging in detail: “In winter months the range is 320 – 360 km. In the summer months 380 – 440 km. I drive 95 percent highway and then I drive between 105 – 110 km / h. Commuting to work was fine for me. I notice no difference in the battery capacity after 120,000 km, mainly charge at home on the AC charger and occasionally on the road. On the road I never charge more than 80 percent full and usually plan it so that the battery is < 10 percent. If the battery is far empty, you get higher charging speeds at Fastned and Ionity. I regularly get 130 kW, both soon after starting the charging session.”

Riders charging at home sometimes seem to have trouble with the charging timer. “On average once a month, the car does not charge properly. Then I come in the morning and see that there has been little or no recharging,” writes the driver of this blue ID4 1st. Another driver also reports problems with the charge timer.

Conclusion

The Volkswagen ID4 offers more space and practical ease of use than the ID3, which will explain a large part of the popularity. Riders have no complaints about the interior space, and most riders like the seats as well. The handling of the car is generally positively assessed, although it seems that the versions with adaptive suspension drive better than cars without this option. The electric range is also sufficient in practice. It does not seem to be the hardware of the ID4, it is mainly software that regularly throws a spanner in the works.