2024 Volkswagen ID4 First Test: Better, But Compromises Remain
How to slip under the radar with an all-electric-powered SUV.
Pros
- More range than before
- Quiet cabin
- Incredible turning radius
Cons
- Subpar standard sound system
- Two window switches for four windows
- Overly aggressive throttle response
Now this is a trend we can get behind. It’s not often that an automaker promises one of its new SUVs will simultaneously increase driving range while dramatically improving acceleration, but Volkswagen is boasting that it’s done that and more for its updated 2024 ID4 EV.
0:00 / 0:00
While swiftness isn’t something the all-electric-powered ID4 has been known for, we’re not going to argue if Volkswagen wants to turn what’s essentially a family-friendly SUV into a hot hatch. Given that the ID4 is increasingly up against ever stiffer and growing competition, it’s not a huge surprise that Volkswagen is looking to broaden the EV SUV’s skill set. So how much quicker is the ID4 than before, really? And where does it fit in now given its recent updates? We had a 2024 ID4 Pro S trim in to find out.
Price and Range
Yes, the ID4 is electric, but Volkswagen’s goal with this SUV is to be as accessible as possible. The ID4’s claimed competitive set reflects that, with VW IDing both EV and gas SUVs on its list (The Toyota RAV4 and Kia EV6 are among the SUVs Volkswagen names.) That noble aim makes some sense when you pit those competitors against a base ID4 at $41,160 to start, but it's far more of a stretch at $51,815, which was the as-tested price of the rear-drive 2024 ID4 Pro S SUV we had in for evaluation. And it wasn’t even loaded.
Today’s sticker prices sometimes don’t mean what they used to, however—at least when you’re talking about EVs. The ID4 currently qualifies for a full $7,500 federal tax credit, but so does the similarly priced 2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD. The Hyundai Ioniq 5—our 2023 SUV of the Year—matches the VW and Tesla with a $7,500 cashback incentive (available as of this writing).
So even with the incentives, the VW lacks a real price advantage, but it sees notable improvements for 2024. For example, most models have more range; the 2024 ID4 lineup now tops out at an EPA-rated 291 miles like our single-motor, rear-drive test SUV.
For thousands less, VW also offers ID4s with a relatively low 206 miles of range. It’s good to have the option, but we’d avoid the ID4 models that don’t have Pro in their name because of how often owners will need to charge. They also lack VW’s newer infotainment system with backlit temperature and volume sliders below.
As Quick as a GTI
We love having our cake and eating it, too, and that’s what 2024 ID4 Pro trims offer. More range and quicker acceleration elevate the ID4’s potential. At the track, the rear-drive 2024 ID4 finished its best 0–60-mph run in only 5.6 seconds, which is a full 1.7 seconds quicker than the 2022 ID4 we had in for a year and is identical to that of our long-term 2023 GTI test car. It's the type of acceleration drivers can enjoy without it being too much to handle.
In straight-line acceleration, the 2024 ID4 Pro S dusts the single-motor, rear-drive Kia EV6 we tested, which reached 60 in a respectable 6.5 seconds. Not surprisingly, though, dual-motor AWD SUVs are usually quicker than single-motor counterparts. For example, the 2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range costs about the same as the ID4 and turned in a 0–60 time of 4.4 seconds. That’s better than the VW, but there comes a point of diminishing returns for everyday family cars where the added acceleration is more for giggles than comfortable passing power.
Stopping performance from 60 mph was another 2024 ID4 strength, as the VW came to a halt in 119 feet. The Tesla managed 118 feet, while the Kia stopped in 123 feet.
During dynamic maneuvers, the test team noted sharp and aggressive turn-in with balanced performance overall. Some rear-drive dynamics appear when the ID4 is driven hard enough, but the SUV fades into the background at saner speeds. Think more about overall competency as opposed to extreme driving fun.
With a compliant suspension and a surprisingly quiet cabin, the 2024 ID4 makes a good commuter. And can we talk about the 31.5-foot turning radius on rear-drive models? The answer to “Can I make that turn?” is now probably yes.
There is one EV-specific driving feature the ID4 lacks that we think VW should consider adding—a true one-pedal driving mode. The current setup might make the ID4 feel more accessible to the new-to-an-EV driver who isn’t familiar with one-pedal driving and brake regen, but competitors such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 offer varying levels of regen down to full one-pedal operation, eliminating the need to use the brake pedal most of the time. Like engine-braking in a gas car, using regen can simplify driving as you lift off the throttle to match the speed of traffic. The ID4 does that, but we prefer to let people choose how much (or little) regen they want.
The biggest issue we had with the 2024 ID4 in around-town driving is something so small, some will never notice. For those who do, it’ll be a tiny yet constant irritation: The throttle tip-in is too jumpy in Comfort mode.
Improvements Inside, but Problems Remain
Volkswagen has attempted to improve upon one of the biggest pain points of the pre-2024 ID4, albeit with mixed results: its interior controls. On all Pro trims, the 2024 ID4 features a 12.9-inch touchscreen that’s helpfully tilted toward the driver. There are plenty of ways to customize the display, and the backlit sliders make the system more usable at night. That’s better than before, but we still prefer buttons and knobs.
The same goes for the key fob, which adopts a slick and futuristic aesthetic, much like that of the interior’s center stack of controls. While using the fob in the same way I use every fob as a professional vehicle reviewer, the panic alarm went off. I had accidentally pressed the button as I held the fob and walked away. Maybe that was just a fluke.
As with earlier ID4s, two window switches control four windows with an easy-to-accidentally-press button that switches the operation from the front to rear glass. This was a bad idea when it launched, and it hasn’t aged well. We’d also like individual tire readouts for the tire pressure monitoring system so we can more quickly assess which tire is low and by how much.
Volkswagen has improved the climate controls, but if you open the screen to adjust the air flow, the screen pop-up stays open. VW should take its cue from Ford and Subaru, which auto-minimize such pop-up functions after a few seconds.
A few other details, both physical and digital, could be improved. The interior door pull has an odd resistance halfway through its travel, and we found there to be too much of a delay from when you hit pause in Apple CarPlay to when the music stops. We’d also like the on-screen controls for the heated and ventilated seat to respond quicker if you want to tap-tap-tap the three-way functions to their highest or lowest setting.
Voice commands work fine, but when you say, “Hey ID4, I’m hot,” the SUV only turns down the temperature by a few degrees instead of also upping the air flow. And really, the only correct response to that question should be, “Yeah you are!” There’s always next year’s model.
A Safe and Squishy Choice
VW does get a few things right inside. Besides the general feeling of spaciousness and the generous 30.3-cubic-foot cargo area, the 2024 ID4 has soft-touch, squishable armrests perfect for resting at a long red light, and the cabin is trimmed in a pleasant black and dark gray color combo, dubbed Galaxy. (A lighter gray and dark blue combo called Cosmic is also available.) The leatherette seats on our Pro S test SUV felt good, and the fixed-panel glass roof is another great touch, with its uninterrupted view of the sky above and standard retractable cover.
The ID4 is also an IIHS 2023 Top Safety Pick+. Did we mention, however, that the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5 also perform well in IIHS safety tests and have slightly more EPA-rated range at a similar price? Or that they both charge faster at public fast chargers?
It's those types of comparisons that continue to keep us lukewarm about the ID4. In a segment with a couple great options, the VW is sometimes good but not great.
Not everyone wants to shout about how futuristic their ride is; that’s in part what makes the 2024 ID4’s conventional and modern design refreshing to some. We commend VW for delivering an SUV that’s quicker with more range than before. But the 2024 ID4 isn’t well-rounded enough, which prevents it from being a segment leader.
I’ve come a long way since I drove sugar packets across restaurant tables as a kid, pretending they were cars. With more than 17 years of experience, I'm passionate about demystifying the new car market for shoppers and enthusiasts. My expertise comes from thoughtfully reviewing countless vehicles across the automotive spectrum. The greatest thrill I get isn’t just from behind the wheel of an exotic car but from a well-executed car that’s affordable, entertaining, and well-made. Since about the time I learned to walk I’ve been fascinated by cars of all shapes and sizes, but it wasn’t until I struggled through a summer high school class at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design that I realized writing was my ticket into the automotive industry. My drive to high school was magical, taking me through a beautiful and winding canyon; I've never lost the excited feeling some 16-year-olds get when they first set out on the road. The automotive industry, singing, and writing have always been my passions, but because no one seeks a writer who sings about the automotive industry, I honed my writing and editing skills at UC Irvine (zot zot!), serving as an editor of the official campus newspaper and writing stories as a literary journalism major. At USC, I developed a much greater appreciation for broadcast journalists and became acquainted with copy editing rules such as why the Oxford comma is so important. Though my beloved 1996 Audi A4 didn’t survive my college years, my career with MotorTrend did. I started at the company in 2007 building articles for motorcycle magazines, soon transitioning to writing news posts for MotorTrend’s budding online department. I spent some valuable time in the copy editing department, as an online news director, and as a senior production editor. Today, MotorTrend keeps me busy as the Buyer's Guide Director. Not everyone has a career centered on one of their passions, and I remind myself all the time how lucky I am.
Read More
