Volkswagen ID.4 2021 Review

The 2021 ID.4 is the first U.S.-bound Volkswagen built from the ground up as an electric vehicle. Note the key "ground up" part. Volkswagen's first U.S. market EV was the e-Golf — not much more than a Golf hatchback with an electric motor and batteries instead of a gas powertrain. VW sold it from 2015 to 2019, and while we like the way it drove, its range wasn't very impressive. VW says the ID.4 is optimized from the get-go for the best range, efficiency and interior space possible.

Marketed as an SUV, the ID.4 is smaller than VW's Tiguan small SUV. It's 4.6 inches shorter and 1.9 inches lower than the Tiguan. But its wheelbase, which is the measurement between the front and rear wheels, is only about an inch shorter than the Tiguan's. With the wheels pushed farther apart, the ID.4 has more space for passengers. In fact, it has nearly identical passenger accommodations as the Tiguan. The ID.4's EPA-estimated range of 240 to 260 miles is plenty for most EV buyers, and Volkswagen is throwing in three years of complimentary DC fast charging at Electrify America stations.

Overall, the ID.4 has everything necessary to be an intriguing pick for an electric SUV. But is it the right EV for you, or should you maybe get a Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford Mustang Mach-E or Tesla Model Y instead? Read the categories of our Expert Rating below to help you decide.

Which ID.4 does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 is a fully electric small SUV with seating for five people. The ID.4 is available in three trim levels: Pro, Pro S and 1st Edition. The ID.4 has an 82-kWh battery pack and is available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. On the rear-drive version, you get one electric motor and an output of  201 horsepower. With the AWD ID.4, power increases to 302 hp, with one motor running the front wheels and another running the rear. 1st Edition models are available with rear-wheel drive only.

The base ID.4 Pro standard feature highlights include:

• 19-inch wheels
• DC fast-charging capability (up to 125 kW)
• Keyless entry
• Automatic headlights
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents
• Cloth upholstery
• Leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• Digital gauge cluster
• 10-inch touchscreen
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Voice controls
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (wireless capability for both)
• VW's CarNet connection service (with onboard Wi-Fi)

Standard driver safety aids for the base ID.4 Pro are combined into a package called IQ.Drive and they include:

• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volkswagen and the car in front and can also react to traffic signs and set speed)
• Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued and can slow the vehicle to a complete stop)
• Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

ID.4 Pro S Adds more luxury features, including:

• LED adaptive headlights
• Power tailgate with hands-free open and close functions
• Illuminated exterior Volkswagen logos
• Panoramic sunroof
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Upgraded front seats with massage function
• 12-inch touchscreen with gesture control
• Adjustable floor panels for the trunk

An optional Gradient package is available for the Pro S and it includes:

• 20-inch wheels
• Black roof and silver bumper accents
• Roof rails

The 1st Edition adds the contents of the Pro S trim level and the Gradient package plus:

• Unique pedals with "Pause" and "Play" logos
• White interior accents
• A tow hitch with a tow capacity of 2,200 pounds on RWD models, or 2,700 pounds on AWD models (with trailer brakes)