Well the 1 year mark has come and gone - put ~7200 miles on it in that time on my CPO 2021 ID.4 AWD Pro S. Was previously owned by my sales guy who piled ~15.6k miles on it in the 8 months in his care. Now sitting ~22.8k miles and is just ~2 years old (10/2021 build date).
Driving:
Very competent. I disagree with the VW commercial saying it handles more like a hot hatch - no it does not, its a fatty EV CUV (4800 LBS). Smooths bumps over, rides as well if not better than the couple Mercedes sedans I have had. Yes it will swing through the cones without drama but it's not something you are going to toss around for fun, nor is it meant to toss around. Power in AWD guise (I have never driven a RWD version) is quite plentiful, no it does not have the neck snapping off the line power like some other EV's as VW has toned it down but it does move off smartly then gives you full boost once you are rolling.
Accomodations:
Very good seats and ergonomics - I have always been a fan of VW seats and would rank them a little below Volvo for comfort on both short/long rides. Some hard plastics but mainly in areas you typically won't be feeling around (lower doors, lower dash, etc.). Middle storage console is love/hate of 2021-2022 version vs 2023+, 2021-2022 was minivan style armrests with a open cubby below with a sliding door cover, 2023+ have an enclosed and raised center console with a lid that splits the cabin. Pano roof is nice with sliding sunshade - helps with warmth during winter months and during summer keep it shut to reject some heat.
Efficiency/Range:
My long term average over ~1200 miles since I had the software update is ~101 MPGe which beats the 98/88 EPA rating (newer ID.4 have better EPA ratings). Prior software was much worse, I wish I had noted my long term average before I dropped it off but I can say it quite a bit worse. As for range I can push it to Asheville (~200 miles) during the summer with ~8-10% SOC remaining on arrival, winter requires a mid way charging stop. This 3.5 hour trip is pretty much the max I will drive before I decide to fly so the ID.4 is perfect for my use.
Maintenance:
I had 1 free service left (20k) when I bought my ID.4 so I have not spent a dime on service. Had to slap new tires on as the Bridgestone Alenza's that come from the factory are complete trash, opted for Michelin CrossClimate2's to the tune of ~$1400. Only other service was 3 days out of service while it was in for software update and 12V battery replacement, service loaner VW Tiguan was provided while it was in the shop.
What sucks:
- No premium sound option. Factory system is quite good until you try to play it above 60% then it cuts out trying to protect the speakers, doesn't even have to be a bass heavy song. Fleetwood Mac Everywhere can't even go beyond 60% without triggering the VW headunit speaker protection.
- Driver window controls. Don't need to rehash what has been said 2.5 million times by reviewers of VW's decision on the driver window switch panel. For anyone who hasn't read any ID.4 reviews - they eliminated the rear window switches and replaced it with a touch capacitive button so you have to hit the "rear" touch button then hit the same switches that control the front. It's a nightmare as when pulling up to lets say a ticket box at a paid lot you are fumbling around, you hit the rear button by mistake and now you are rolling down the rear window instead of the drivers window - now you have to roll the rear window up, hit the rear button again to disable the rear window control then let down the drivers window. I sincerely hope VW fired whoever decided this was some sort of solution to a problem.
- Headlight/defrost control panel. I'm good with the capacitive touch on the steering wheel and infotainment, now that tiny little panel where I need to try to hit a button that is about the size of a dime to turn on/off the rear defrost or windshield heater is just stupid. Good luck trying to drive down the road and poke at a dime sized target just above knee level. I just leave them on or wait until the next longish stoplight to deal with it - forget trying to handle these things while driving in traffic.
Overall:
Outside my dislikes I am still incredibly pleased with my ID.4. 1 year in my care and 2 year of its life it still feels nearly new. Despite my dislikes of some of its interfaces I am still incredibly pleased with it. It works incredibly well for my use.
Driving:
Very competent. I disagree with the VW commercial saying it handles more like a hot hatch - no it does not, its a fatty EV CUV (4800 LBS). Smooths bumps over, rides as well if not better than the couple Mercedes sedans I have had. Yes it will swing through the cones without drama but it's not something you are going to toss around for fun, nor is it meant to toss around. Power in AWD guise (I have never driven a RWD version) is quite plentiful, no it does not have the neck snapping off the line power like some other EV's as VW has toned it down but it does move off smartly then gives you full boost once you are rolling.
Accomodations:
Very good seats and ergonomics - I have always been a fan of VW seats and would rank them a little below Volvo for comfort on both short/long rides. Some hard plastics but mainly in areas you typically won't be feeling around (lower doors, lower dash, etc.). Middle storage console is love/hate of 2021-2022 version vs 2023+, 2021-2022 was minivan style armrests with a open cubby below with a sliding door cover, 2023+ have an enclosed and raised center console with a lid that splits the cabin. Pano roof is nice with sliding sunshade - helps with warmth during winter months and during summer keep it shut to reject some heat.
Efficiency/Range:
My long term average over ~1200 miles since I had the software update is ~101 MPGe which beats the 98/88 EPA rating (newer ID.4 have better EPA ratings). Prior software was much worse, I wish I had noted my long term average before I dropped it off but I can say it quite a bit worse. As for range I can push it to Asheville (~200 miles) during the summer with ~8-10% SOC remaining on arrival, winter requires a mid way charging stop. This 3.5 hour trip is pretty much the max I will drive before I decide to fly so the ID.4 is perfect for my use.
Maintenance:
I had 1 free service left (20k) when I bought my ID.4 so I have not spent a dime on service. Had to slap new tires on as the Bridgestone Alenza's that come from the factory are complete trash, opted for Michelin CrossClimate2's to the tune of ~$1400. Only other service was 3 days out of service while it was in for software update and 12V battery replacement, service loaner VW Tiguan was provided while it was in the shop.
What sucks:
- No premium sound option. Factory system is quite good until you try to play it above 60% then it cuts out trying to protect the speakers, doesn't even have to be a bass heavy song. Fleetwood Mac Everywhere can't even go beyond 60% without triggering the VW headunit speaker protection.
- Driver window controls. Don't need to rehash what has been said 2.5 million times by reviewers of VW's decision on the driver window switch panel. For anyone who hasn't read any ID.4 reviews - they eliminated the rear window switches and replaced it with a touch capacitive button so you have to hit the "rear" touch button then hit the same switches that control the front. It's a nightmare as when pulling up to lets say a ticket box at a paid lot you are fumbling around, you hit the rear button by mistake and now you are rolling down the rear window instead of the drivers window - now you have to roll the rear window up, hit the rear button again to disable the rear window control then let down the drivers window. I sincerely hope VW fired whoever decided this was some sort of solution to a problem.
- Headlight/defrost control panel. I'm good with the capacitive touch on the steering wheel and infotainment, now that tiny little panel where I need to try to hit a button that is about the size of a dime to turn on/off the rear defrost or windshield heater is just stupid. Good luck trying to drive down the road and poke at a dime sized target just above knee level. I just leave them on or wait until the next longish stoplight to deal with it - forget trying to handle these things while driving in traffic.
Overall:
Outside my dislikes I am still incredibly pleased with my ID.4. 1 year in my care and 2 year of its life it still feels nearly new. Despite my dislikes of some of its interfaces I am still incredibly pleased with it. It works incredibly well for my use.
Fortunately I had to stop to wait for the exit gate to open so I could go ahead and turn everything back off.
