2023 Volkswagen ID.4: Performance, Price, And Photos

Three years after its debut, Volkswagen’s revolutionary affordable EV is facing tough competition from all sides. The crossover was the darling of the press, applauded for its combination of pragmatism and sleek design, it was one of the best EV values on the market, forging the path for EVs to enter a more affordable price bracket.

Launched one year after the iconic Beetle was killed off, the ID.4 was seen as the model which could bring the company the same success in the EV marketplace. While the praise was well deserved at the time, the affordable EV market has become a crowded segment in the two years since. But now production of VWs ID.4 popular crossover has moved to the United States. So, with competitors aplenty, is the Volkswagen ID.4 still the best value in the segment?

RELATED: 10 Electric SUVs That Are Worth The Wait

2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Performance And Capability

This EV crossover from Volkswagen is a capable vehicle with peppy acceleration and smooth driving characteristics. Still, it’s not a car you would call sporty, nor is it meant to be. It’s common to see manufacturers focusing on the performance potential of the electric drivetrain, but the team at Volkswagen had different priorities when engineering the ID.4. With the entry-level trim having only 201 horses on tap, the ID.4 offers lackluster performance compared to other EVs.

Keep in mind the ID.4 is not focused on a thrilling driving experience, but rather on economy and practicality. Thankfully the Pro S Plus trim level lets customers have a bit more fun, with a healthy 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque sent through all four wheels, which will launch the car to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds.

RELATED: Why The Volkswagen ID.7 Is A Major Threat To The Tesla Model 3

Exterior Design

One of Volkswagen’s greatest strengths is the strong devotion of its owners. That is common among performance or luxury brands, but very few makers of economy cars ever inspire the level of passion that Volkswagen owners have for their cars. We all know a Volkswagen owner who will wax lyrical about their car, but you don’t see the same level of passion with a Hyundai owner. One way VW has cultivated this is through design.

The Volkswagen ID.4 debuted a new design language for the company. With soft lines and smooth surfaces, paired with a front fascia that has a friendly demeanor, the ID.4 brings back the anthropomorphic qualities that once drew consumers to the legendary Beetle.

After all, the Beetle was so successful at this endeavor that a whole movie series spawned around ‘Herbie’, a Volkswagen Beetle that was alive. The result is a handsome crossover that feels approachable and warm. For 2023, you get new wheel designs with the top-spec Pro S Plus trim getting unique 20-inchers.

Exterior Dimensions

RELATED: Is Volkswagen Scout The Off-road Brand That The EV Market Desperately Needs?

Interior Quality And Technology

The interior of the ID.4 defies convention with its space-age design and minimal aesthetic. Manufacturers like Tesla have set a high bar with ultra-minimal interior design with an emphasis on technology, which appeals to younger buyers. Volkswagen intends to capitalize on this trend with the ID.4, the cabin remains refreshingly sparse with the 12.0 central touch screen (now standard on all trims), digital instrument cluster, and very few physical buttons to fiddle with. Marking a pleasant departure from the typically humble interior design the company is known for.

Design isn’t the only unconventional aspect of the interior, the ID.4 has a unique color palette as well. Instead of a monotone sea of beige or black you’d find in other Volkswagen products, the EV comes with a two-tone design and a mixture of materials. Customers can choose from either Black or Nutmeg Brown eco-friendly leatherette, paired with grey cloth inserts on the seats and door panel. The result is an interior that feels whimsical and bright.

It’s impressive to find this level of design and innovation in a car that starts just below $40,000. The cabin looks like one you might find in a luxury car and is a lovely place to spend time, but the interior does have its drawbacks, namely materials. The cabin has cheap feeling scratchy plastics that let down the otherwise high concept design. But before the materials can remind you of the affordable price point, the seats will. While they are plush, the front seats lack the support you’d find in higher-priced EVs.

Interior Dimensions

RELATED: 5 Electric Cars Worth Buying (And, 5 Electric Cars You Should Stay Away From)

2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Price and Availability

If you thought Porsche offered the 911 in too many trim levels then boy are you in for a surprise. The ID.4 trim level list reads like an all-you-can-eat buffet menu. There’s the Standard, Pro, S, Pro S–sure, combine them, because why not?–, Pro S Plus, and of course, an AWD variant of most of them. You can build your ID.4 on Volkswagen’s website.

The entry point into Volkswagen’s electric crossover is the Standard trim level, which packs an incredible value with a starting price of just $38,995. In order to reach a lower price point the Standard trim comes with a single motor, sending all 201 horses to the rear wheels via a 58 kWh battery with a maximum range of 201 miles.

The mid-tier trim levels, the Pro and S, come at a $5,000 premium but are designed for different use cases. The ID.4 Pro has an 82 kWh battery with a much more practical 275-mile range, while the S offers a similar range as the Standard and focuses more on performance.

But wait, there’s more! Who can forget the Pro S. Yes, that’s right, you can combine the range of the Pro and the performance of the S for a $10,000 premium over the Standard. Despite the silly name, this trim level comes with a bundle of nice features, such as a panoramic roof, which makes it a great buy. Additionally, Pro S Plus get you heated rear seats and three-zone climate. An all-wheel drive variant is available for a few thousand more, but it will limit the range to 255 miles.

For the truly afflicted speed demons, the Pro S AWD Plus is for you. For a whopping $55,245 you can experience the full potential of the ID.4 platform. The dual motors are good for 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. Pair that with the 82 kWh battery pack and you’ve got a crossover that can do 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds and take the family on a road trip without breaking a sweat.

2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Price

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Is The Best Electric Crossover

Main Competition

When the ID.4 was launched in late-2019, Volkswagen expected to sell half a million units per year globally. A lot has changed since then, namely a global pandemic, war in Europe, supply chain shortages, and an economic slump–not to mention increasingly stiff competition in the EV marketplace. As a result, only 140,000 units were sold globally last year.

The ID.4 now has to compete with the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mustang Mach-E. Both of which have cutting-edge designs that leave the ID.4’s friendly design feeling a bit plain. Despite this, the ID.4 remains the best-selling model in its segment. With a base price of $42,995, the Mach-E is a few thousand dollars more than the VW, although it has a superior range at 250 miles on a full charge and nicer interior materials.

Meanwhile, the Ioniq 5 is slightly more competitive with a base price of $41,450 and completely eclipses the ID.4 with a range of over 300 miles! For the range-conscious among you, the Ioniq 5 is an easy choice.

While it has fallen a long way short of its lofty sales predictions, the ID.4 is a great product that has out-sold its competition, and there’s a reason for that. The ID.4 presents a very good value in the compact electric SUV space. It may not be the sexiest, fastest, or even have the best range out of its peers, but it has proven itself over the past few years. The ID.4 is no longer the standout choice in this segment, but in true Volkswagen fashion, it still offers better value than its competitors.

FAQ

Q: How much will the Volkswagen ID 4 cost?

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 starts at $38,995 for the Standard trim level, which makes it an exceptional value in the market segment.

Q: Does 2023 id4 qualify for tax credit?

The Volkswagen ID.4 qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit due to its low price and American based-manufacturing at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, TN.

Q: How long is the wait for Volkswagen ID 4?

Volkswagen claims there are over 600,000 orders pending worldwide, and wait times for the ID.4 in the US are around 6-8 months as of Spring 2023.