It’s not the usual thing to start off a car review from the back seat, but that’s how it happened with the updated-for-2024 Volkswagen ID.4 all-electric SUV. I was one of four adult males being given a demonstration of the updated infotainment system, with three of us sitting in the back. As much as I enjoy the company of my colleagues, this was not the most comfortable part of the day — especially since I was in the middle.
So the first piece of advice for any potential ID.4 buyer is that if your immediate family includes several 6-footers, you might consider something bigger instead. Don’t worry — things get much more positive from here.
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My ride is the ID.4 Pro S, with a gutsier motor and a bigger battery brought in for 2024. That means a substantial 282 horsepower, along with the potential to cover 291 miles before needing a recharge. This particular ID.4 has rear-wheel drive, but Volkswagen also offers a dual-motor/all-wheel-drive variant with 335 horsepower and a 263-mile range, which is a popular choice. Behind the steering wheel (at last), if I wanted to mash the accelerator pedal when the traffic light turns green, I could hit 60 mph in a brisk 5.9 seconds. But the roads are busy and I don’t have anything to prove, so I’ll save the energy for when it’s needed.
I’d say it’s accomplished and competent in normal circumstances, and that’s absolutely fine for what the ID.4 is supposed to be.
Last year’s motor made only 201 horsepower, so this is a noticeable improvement. The 2024 ID.4 is definitely able to grab those gaps in the traffic that require a quick move. It doesn’t have to work hard going uphill, either. I discovered this while driving out of town and onto mountain roads. That’s when the corners started arriving thick and fast. Well, not that fast.
The ID.4 rides comfortably, as it should for a compact SUV made for families. That softness in the suspension prevents it from being a great deal of fun, though. There isn’t much precision to the steering and there’s some body roll. It’s best to take corners in a sedate fashion. Add in the raised driving position, and the ID.4 feels almost top-heavy. I’d say it’s accomplished and competent in normal circumstances, and that’s absolutely fine for what the ID.4 is supposed to be. Selecting Sport mode sharpens responses and firms up the steering a little, but doesn’t affect the suspension at all.
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One thing I noticed while scrunched in the second row is a sweet little pocket for phones set into the back of each front seat. Perfect. It saves them from rattling around in door pockets or cup holders. The rest of the interior is perfectly pleasant, if a little sparse up front. Outward vision is great and the interior is wonderfully quiet. This Pro S model has a huge glass sunroof, giving the cabin an expansive, airy feel.
Versions of the ID.4 with the bigger battery also gain an updated infotainment system controlled by a generously sized 12.9-inch touchscreen. I really like the look of this display. The graphics are superb and sharp.
Another update is the inclusion of permanent controls for cabin temperature and fan settings at the lower edge of the screen, saving the driver from digging into menus. And the navigation system has improved route planning, taking the need for charging into account. It even communicates with the battery, activating a pre-conditioning process for the most efficient charging possible. The ambient lighting (a standard feature across the lineup) also helps with navigation, flashing subtly in the appropriate direction to alert the driver to a turn. A cool little touch.
Finding an ideal driving position is easy, and I never thought about the front seats during my entire time in the ID.4. That’s a good sign, because they’re comfortable enough not to bring attention to themselves.
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There are flashier electric SUVs and some are more engaging for the driver (I’m thinking of the Kia EV6, but then I’m often thinking of the Kia EV6). Yet this version of the 2024 ID.4 has a superb range, great standard equipment, plenty of room for a typical family, many smart details, and a low-profile aspect that’s appealing in itself. The next time someone asks me to recommend a new electric SUV, the ID.4 is going to be on the list.
Check this week’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price or see ID.4 models for sale near you.
