Used 2023 Volkswagen ID.4

In the growing field of electric SUVs, one of the most practical and value-conscious choices is the Volkswagen ID.4. It has the utility of a compact SUV with a roomy interior with the benefit of an all-electric powertrain. It may not have the 300+-mile range of some of its rivals, but it’s on the more affordable side of its class, and it still has more than enough range for daily use for most drivers.

Other perks include an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and impressive standard tech features like the IQ.DRIVE safety tech suite, a 12-inch infotainment system with navigation, and a wireless charging pad. The VW ID.4’s chief rivals include the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Toyota bZ4X.

The Volkswagen ID.4 is an agreeable SUV to drive. If you’re unsure about making the leap into an EV, the ID.4 will make it a painless transition. This quiet electric powertrain has smooth power delivery and snappy acceleration. The low center of gravity gives this SUV good handling in sporty driving and highway cruising alike. A few different drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Custom) change the character of the ID.4 based on your preferences.

The ID.4 offers livelier acceleration than the average gas-powered compact SUV, but it’s not the sportiest choice in its class. The single-motor configuration is adequate for most drivers, but the dual-motor AWD models will be preferable to enthusiasts looking for exciting performance in a practical EV. They also offer better all-season traction on snowy roads than single-motor RWD models.

The inside of the Volkswagen ID.4 is conservative, which is typical for the brand, but it’s also decidedly high-tech. A 12-inch touchscreen is the interior’s centerpiece, and a digital gauge cluster complements it.

The interior is upgraded for 2023 with standard mélange fabric and leatherette seat side bolsters rather than the simple cloth upholstery that was standard in earlier model years. The two color scheme options are Stone (black and gray) and Nutmeg (brown).

On the S models, you get a leatherette interior in your choice of Galaxy (black and gray) or Cosmic (gray and blue).

The interior space is pretty generous for an SUV of this size. It has adult-friendly back seats and a good amount of cargo space. A high cargo floor can make it a little challenging to load and unload, but it has 30.3 cubic feet of space behind the back seats and 64.2 cubic feet with the back seats folded down.

The design of the Volkswagen ID.4 is modern and stylish, but it isn’t too showy about being an EV. To the untrained eye, this might look like a regular gas-powered SUV, which is good if you’re trying to be subtle.

There are eight paint options and three new wheel designs for 2023. The S models get 20-inch wheels and illuminated front and rear VW emblems.  A styling upgrade this year for every ID.4 is gloss black highlights on the front bumpers.

The size of the Volkswagen ID.4 is in-line with mainstream compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. In the Volkswagen SUV lineup, the ID.4 sits between the Taos and the Tiguan in overall size. The most similarly-sized EVs are the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Toyota bZ4X.

1. IQ.Drive
The standard IQ.Drive suite of driver assistance tech features bundles adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more.

2. ID.Light
This tech feature gives the cabin of the ID.4 a futuristic feel. It’s a light strip under the windshield designed to intuitively assist the driver and passengers. It uses light pulses signaling whether the car is ready to drive, which direction to turn based on navigation data, and whether the battery is charging.

3. Discover Pro Max infotainment system
The ID.4 boasts an impressive standard infotainment system with a vibrant 12-inch screen loaded with navigation with voice control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and more. Other standard tech features include wireless device charging and a digital gauge cluster.

4. DC Fast Charging
Every ID.4 comes with three years of complementary DC fast charging at Electrify America stations. Electrify America expects to have more than 1,700 charging stations (with more than 9,500 chargers) by the end of 2025.

5. Two battery options
If you can live with a range of a little over 200 miles on a full charge, the ID.4 now offers a 62-kWh battery to keep this EV affordable. If you need extra range, an 82-kWh battery is still available.

6. Impressive safety scores
The Volkswagen ID.4 earns a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and the coveted Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. These awards factor in crash testing and standard driver assistance features that can prevent or mitigate an accident.

There are three electric powertrain options in the Volkswagen ID.4 The new base powertrain for the 2023 model is a single-motor setup with a 62-kWh battery pack. It’s upgradeable to an 82-kWh battery pack available in a single motor RWD or dual-motor AWD configuration.

The dual motor ID.4 yields better performance but slightly worse range numbers compared to the single motor setup with the larger battery.

Single electric motor
62-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
201 horsepower
229 lb-ft of torque
EPA fuel economy (city/hwy combined): 107 MPGe
Range on a full charge: 209 miles

Single electric motor
82-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
201 horsepower
229 lb-ft of torque
EPA fuel economy: 107 MPGe
Range on a full charge: 275 miles

Dual electric motors
82-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
295 horsepower
339 lb-ft of torque
EPA fuel economy: 99 MPGe
Range on a full charge: 255 miles

Our Test Model

We’ve tested several ID.4 variants since it debuted for the 2021 model year, including the 2023 ID.4 AWD Pro S seen here looking good in Aurora Red Metallic, with an as-equipped sticker price of $52,985 (view window sticker).