 | Positives: Smooth and comfortable ride, pleasant exterior styling, good range with the larger battery, roomy cabin. |
 | Negatives: Not very entertaining to drive, infotainment system is annoying to use, dinky gauge cluster, too much plastic inside. |
 | Bottom Line: The ID.4 Pro S AWD is an EV that will please most everyone because it's practical, smooth, and inoffensively styled. It's just too bad the infotainment system is half-baked. |
Driving Experience
The ID.4 is an EV that most people will find easy to drive. It's not neck-snappingly quick, and it's pretty forgiving in the turns. The dual motor, AWD version is noticeably quicker than the single motor, RWD version. Going for the more powerful all-wheel-drive model sharpens the ID.4's accelerative performance, as evidenced by its 5.4-second jump to 60 mph at our test track. The ID.4 handles less sharply than some other EVs, but we appreciate its smooth and refined ride quality and quiet cabin.
Ride Quality: The ID.4 has a nice, balanced ride that does well over various surfaces. It feels composed and comfortable.
Acceleration: With the dual motor setup, 60 mph comes in 5.4 seconds. The Tesla Model Y Long Range will do it in 4.8 seconds and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD will do in 4.4 seconds.
Braking: This EV doesn't provide a full one-pedal driving experience, and the brakes feel soft.
Steering: Steering is definitely on the light side and a bit vague for a VW.
Handling: The ID.4 has noticeable body roll, but at least it feels well-sorted in the turns without feeling vague. The rear-biased AWD setup certainly helps.
Technology
The ID.4's biggest issue is the infotainment system and its awkward operation. Gone is the 10-inch screen, replaced by a 12-inch version that used to be optional. Despite the fact that it comes standard with Navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the infotainment is frustrating and distracts from driving. The small 5.3-inch reconfigurable digital gauge display that's peeking through the steering wheel seems cheap.
Infotainment System: The 12" screen is well-positioned, and response to inputs is good. The way the functions are laid out needs work. The home button is a small square, the climate controls have more than one layer, and every square icon on the main menu looks the same.
Controls: Most operations are performed through the touchscreen, which is seriously annoying, especially it's not especially quick to decipher. The touch/slider climate controls are some of the worst we've ever used. Real buttons and switches would've been far better.
Styling
While we wouldn't call the ID.4 a stunning EV, it's easy on the eyes thanks to nicely executed curves and a lack of overstyling. The Launch Edition we tested didn't look quite as nice as this one, and that's largely due to some minor tweaks that add up to a more cohesive and sporty appearance. The Pro S AWD's wheels also level things up properly.
Front: The front fascia is nicely done because it's simple. The lack of a huge slab of plastic for the grille is the result of a smooth curved portion underneath the attractive headlights and unifying bar that bisects the VW logo. The intakes in the bumper and the lower mesh portion work well to break things up.
Rear: The thickness of the rear is hard to ignore, but the horizontal lines help. We like the taillight bar that protrudes slightly, and the contoured tailgate is a nice touch. There's a bit too much black plastic in the lower third, though.
Profile: Proportions are good, and the short front overhang tightens things up nicely. We especially like the black grim around the windows and on the C-pillar, as well as the longer fender badge (compared to the 2022)and the Pro S AWD's fancy bladed wheels that give it a more premium look that the base model.
Cabin: The ID.4's cabin isn't especially attractive, but it is clean and uncluttered. There's a lot of grey and piano black plastic everywhere, and
Comfort
Occupants in both rows will find the ID.4 comfortable and accommodating. There's good legroom and headroom. What messes up the comfort equation are the hard plastics everywhere and the ergonomics. The seating ergo is very good, but the ergonomics of the operation of the vehicle leave much to be desired. You get used to the stubby gearshift lever on the steering column, but the gauge cluster is hard to see through the top edge of the steering wheel, and the position, font size, and size of the center console buttons make things difficult to use.
Front Seats: They're wide, well-cushioned, and decently bolstered. We had no trouble getting comfortable.
Rear Seats: All three positions get good legroom and good seat comfort with the outboard positions getting a good amount of contouring in the seat back. Even the middle position is decent thanks to a relatively low cushion and a seatback that doesn't protrude much.
NVH (noise/vibration/harshness): copy text
Visibility: With the exception of the C-pillar thickness, the rest of the ID.4's views are very good.
Climate: The climate system could use improvement because the vents are too small, and responsiveness to adjustments seems slow.
Safety
The ID.4 is one of the safest EVs on the road, and it earns top scores from both testing bodies. In terms of standard safety tech, there's a ton of features that should bring peace of mind to buyers.
IIHS Rating: The ID.4 was tested this year and scored extremely well earning the Top Safety Pick+ award with "good" in every crash test category, as well as superior crash avoidance & mitigation. It was dinged in the headlight category with "acceptable" for some trim levels.
NHTSA Rating: It earned five stars from the federal government.
Standard Tech: The ID.4 Pro S AWD comes with a rearview camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, App-Connect smartphone integration via wireless & USB, Blind Spot Monitor w/Rear Traffic Alert, Dynamic Road Sign Display, Forward Collision Warning & Autonomous Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring, and High Beam Control.
Optional Tech: No Monroney was provided for this vehicle.
Storage/Cargo
The interior of the ID.4 is very practical for both cargo and small item storage. The design of the center console, especially, lends to a very utilitarian front row. The cargo hold is capacious and plenty for groceries, luggage, or gear.
Storage Space: We really like the big center console with big cupholders, ample storage space, and a great wireless phone charger that keeps your phone in place, unlike so many other versions. The door pockets are also very big.
Cargo Room: Regardless of which trim level you choose, the ID.4 provides 30.3 cubic feet behind row two and 64.2 cubes with the seats folded. The load floor is flat, and there are even small nooks in the wheel wells for extra stowage.
Fuel Economy
The ID.4's optional larger 77.0-kWh battery pack provides up to 275 miles between charges, which can't hold a candle to the Model Y but competes with the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Kia Niro EV. DC fast charging helps matters, as well. 300+ would've been nice. The Ford Mustang Mach-e gets as many as 312 miles of range.
Observed: 261 miles of range.
Distance Driven: 183 miles.
Audio
The ID.4 Pro S AWD gets a stock audio system that sounds clear and exhibits no distortion. It even has very good bass and can compare to some premium systems, which is probably why VW no longer offers an upgraded audio system as of this year.
