PROS:

+ Spacious interior

+ Keenly priced for its size

+ Decent range

CONS:

- Some buttons are tricky to use

- There are faster EVs...

- ...that are also more fun to drive

Verdict: The Volkswagen ID.4 makes it very easy to make the switch to an electric car. There are faster and more agile EV SUVs out there, but few as complete a package as this.

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 review: the five-minute read

So then, where are you with electric cars? Love them? Suspicious? Could be persuaded? Well, from 2030 you'll have to have one if you want a new car, and there aren't many new EVs that are likely to persuade you into electric motoring quite as convincingly as the Volkswagen ID.4.

That's because it's an SUV wearing one of the most trusted badges on the planet – yes, even after that scandal. It seats five, has a great boot, a generous range and quick charging times, all for a sensible price.

That doesn't mean there aren't other options, though. Cars like the Kia e-Niro, Ford Mustang Mache-E and Skoda Enyaq are all available right now as leccy SUVs with space for a family.

All those EVs have their own distinct look, but the ID.4 does enough to stand out. To our eyes, it's a better effort than the slightly awkward ID.3 hatchback, with its chunky bumpers and curvaceous wheel arches giving it an element of rugged SUV, but a smiling face making it less aggressive than a lot of SUVs on the road these days.

The inside is a bit of a mixed bag. The ID.4 has VW's typical solid feel inside, but there are some questionable colour combinations to navigate in the configurator and some areas such as the tops of the doors could feel a little plusher. It's a clean, simple layout inside though, with a very airy feel.

All ID.4s come with a screen on the dash and a set of digital driver's dials behind the steering wheel. Both screens are nicely high-res and are easy to use, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range. However, VW is big on slider-style touch-sensitive buttons these days, using them for the ID.4's climate controls. They just aren't as good as physical buttons when driving.

You'll find more than enough room for four tall adults to sit comfortably inside, although three across the rear bench is a bit tight. Of course, three children will be fine. Behind them, the ID.4's boot is a great size and shape, taking more luggage than a Ford Mustang Mach-E or Kia e-Niro, and only a tad less than a Skoda EnYak.

Right now the ID.4 comes with one battery size (more are on the way) – a 77kWh job that's good for a range of up to 323 miles depending on which trim level you go for and thus wheel size. All are over 300 miles, though, which is a solid range for the money. The ID.4 can charge at up to 125kW, which means a 10-80% charge in around half an hour. However, using a more common 50Kw charge that time goes up to 65 minutes. A full charge on a 7KW home wall box is a 12-hour job.

A single electric motor drives the rear wheels and provides 201hp. That gives the ID.4 a 0-62mph time of just over eight seconds, which is a fair bit slower than a Mach-E, but in line with an Enyaq or e-Niro. Of course, in town, it feels much punchier than that away from lights and it certainly never feels slow on any type of road. The ID.4 is also easy to see out of and park in tight spots, and comfy over bumps at low speed.

On a country road, the ID.4's fairly light steering and grippy nature make it precise and predictable rather than fun, which is probably what a car like this should be. It remains comfy and decently quiet at motorway speeds too.

Which all adds up to a very rounded EV. It's not the most fun of its type to drive, but for most, that just won't matter. More importantly, it excels at space, comfort, charging and range at this price point.

For great VW deals click here

Extended read…

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 interior and infotainment

Volkswagen has tried to make the ID.4's interior stand out next to cars like its Tiguan, so you'll find quirky touches inside.

Things like the, er, funky colour combinations you can see in the pictures here, plus a low centre console and dash line giving a real sense of airiness in the cabin.

Everything feels solidly built, like in other VWs, although that are areas where the ID.4 feels a little cheap - such as the top of its doors and inside its door bins.

VW is also big on slider-style touch-sensitive buttons these days, using them for the ID.4's climate controls. They look cooler but just aren't as good as physical buttons when driving.

All ID.4s come with a screen on the dash and a set of digital driver's dials behind the steering wheel. Both screens are nicely high-res and VW's built-in sat-nav is easy to use, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range if you prefer it all to look and operate like your smartphone.

1st Edition, Life and Family models get a 10-inch screen in the middle, while Max models get a 12-inch version. All ID.4s also come with two USB-C sockets in the front and another two in the back, plus wireless phone charging in the front.

Buy a new or used ID.4

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 practicality and boot space

The Volkswagen ID.4 is a five-seater with enough room inside to seat four tall adults comfortably, or five people if the three in the back are children.

VW includes an average-sized glovebox, but generous door bins and a couple of cupholders between the front seats, plus a decent cubby beneath the front armrest.

There are Isofix points on the outside rear seats that are easy to access and getting a child seat in through the rear doors is also simple, although you might need to move the front seat forward slightly to get a rear-facing child seat in. There's also an Isofix point on the front passenger seat.

The ID.4's boot is slightly smaller than a Skoda Enyaq's, but bigger than an e-Niro's or Mach-E's. It has a great opening and a nice square shape, but a variable boot floor only comes as standard from third-rung Family trim.

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 battery, motor, range and charging

Right now the ID.4 comes with one battery size, although there are more are on the way.

At the moment you can buy a 77kWh battery that's good for a range of up to 323 miles depending on which trim level you go for and thus wheel size. All are over 300 miles, though, which is a solid range for the money.

The ID.4 can charge at up to 125kW, which means a 10-80% charge in around half an hour. However, using a more common 50Kw charge that time goes up to 65 minutes. A full charge on a 7KW home wall box is a 12-hour job. VW throws in a six-metre type 3 charging cable and also sells its own wall box for home.

A single electric motor drives the rear wheels and provides 201hp. That gives the ID.4 a 0-62mph time of just over eight seconds, which is a fair bit slower than a Mach-E, but in line with an Enyaq or e-Niro. Of course, in town, it feels much punchier than that away from lights and it certainly never feels slow on any type of road.

Build your dream car

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 driving

The ID.4 is easy to see out of and park in tight spots, and comfy over bumps at low speed. Happily, front and rear parking sensors, plus a rear camera come on all ID.4s making life that bit easier.

On a country road, the ID.4's fairly light steering and grippy nature make it precise and predictable rather than fun, which is probably what a car like this should be. A Skoda Enyaq is much the same, which is no surprise because it sits on the same underpinnings, but the Mach-E feels quite a bit more agile to drive.

The ID.4 is the comfort car, though, and remains just that as well as decently quiet at motorway speeds too.

Interested in buying a Volkswagen?

Find used Volkswagen