The Volkswagen ID.4 is the company’s first mass production, long-range electric vehicle, which is a hot topic of discussion. Volkswagen is pivoting to be an all-electric automaker, and it has started its journey with the ID sub-brand. The ID.4 is a significant car for Volkswagen, as it is aimed at a very competitive market of mid-sized electric crossover. The ID.4 is the future of Volkswagen as a company that has been a renowned automaker for ages. Volkswagen has also confirmed that it will begin building ID.4 models in the U.S. later this year and detailed some differences between the current Europe-built vehicles and the 2023 ID.4 models that will soon be built at VW's plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The ID.4 will receive updates both in terms of performance and range. There would also be new trims with added features, safety, and fast charging. The main change for the 2022 model year is the powertrain with dual motors and AWD. The model for 2023 is targeted to be more affordable with a significantly lower price, which would compromise on range and some features.
The 2022 ID.4 Is One Of The Most Honest Family Cars
The ID.4 stands out in a fleet of electric cars by not standing out. When electric cars first came out, they looked more like science projects and spaceships. The ID.4 in modern times, however, looks very much like how a normal car is expected to look. The ID.4 looks nice and appeals to a large audience. The design elements are subtle, like the light bar connecting the front headlight and the one at the back, which connects the tail lamps. There is minimal use of chrome and more use of brush aluminum finish to keep things subtle. The inside of the ID.4 is a bit more avant-garde with the floating dashboard, quirky gear shifter, and the 10-inch touch screen, along with the option of having a 12-inch unit is quite pleasing to the eye.
Starting with the 2022 updates, the ID.4 receives a more powerful 135-kilowatt onboard charger, along with additional range from its batteries. On the tech front, the 2022 ID.4 features gesture controls, Alexa voice control, and a flashing light bar at the bottom of the windshield which shows driver inputs instantaneously. The ID.4 has a pretty comprehensive suite of active safety features called the IQ drive. It includes bits like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Pricing For The Futuristic Tech
The pricing for the 2022 ID.4 starts from $41,955 for the RWD pro model and goes up to $50,135 for the AWD Pro S model. The 1st Edition trim from the 2021 ID.4 is gone, and the powertrain remains the same, with RWD models having a single electric motor producing 201 HP and AWD models upping that number to 295, thanks to its dual motors.
Volkswagen hasn’t given a clear picture of the range of the ID.4, but it is expected to be around 250 miles and would vary according to the trim. The vehicle features a powerful 135 kWh fast charger and supports over-the-air updates for software and infotainment. The ID.4 will also introduce an auto-hold feature and a Plug & Charge system that makes charging at VW's Electrify America fast-charging stations easier.
What’s the 2023 ID.4 Going to Be About?
All the models of the ID.4 are being built in Germany so far and are being exported to all markets. The 2022 ID.4 will arrive in North America as CBU units. Volkswagen will start the production of the ID.4 in the United States this year, and the models are expected to have some differences from the CBU models. The battery pack will come from supplier SKI rather than LG, although it will have similar chemistry, and the center console will be revised to be more ‘American’ according to VW. The CEO of Volkswagen America, Scott Keogh, stated that the pricing for the 2023 ID.4 would remain the same as the 2022 model. However, there is a more affordable trim of the ID.4 in the works. The entry-level ID.4 would feature a smaller battery pack, less range, fewer features but will not compromise on size and practicality. The pricing is expected to be around $35,000.
The biggest thing about the ID.4 is that it is an honest car. It does not try to be the fastest, flashiest, or even the biggest in its segment. It is a family car at its best. Compared to the general competition, the ID.4 focuses on lucrative pricing and being user-friendly, and that is where it succeeds effortlessly. By making subtle tweaks to the European model and ensuring the production is carried out in North America, the ID.4 makes a statement of intent that it is here for the mass market.