Latest news with #ID.4s
Miami Herald
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
I Think the 2025 VW ID.4's Pros (4) and Cons (3) Might Surprise You
The all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 has gone through some important changes since it debuted in 2021. For the 2025 model year, the ID.4 carries over most of its big changes from 2024, including a much-needed infotainment revision with updated software and slider backlighting, which was previously lacking and served as the bane of the model's existence. Model choices for 2025 include a 282-horsepower, single-motor rear-drive model with a bigger battery and 291 miles of range and a 335-hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive model with 263 miles of range. All trims can manage DC fast-charging, although it's not the quickest to juice up compared to others in the segment. The ID.4 took a kick in the teeth last year due to production issues, but it's going like gangbusters in 2025, and it's worth a serious look as one of the more affordable EVs in its class. While it boasts several commendable features, there are areas where potential buyers might want to exercise caution. The ID.4 is a great family EV because it offers a roomy cabin with ample legroom-41.1 inches in the front and 37.6 inches in the rear. The seats are supportive, the cabin is airy, uncluttered, and very modern. The ID.4's cabin errs on the side of simplicity, and you'll love it if you don't like overly busy aesthetics. The dash is clean and linear, graphics are crisp, and the floating center console is a thing of beauty and practicality. Heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control come standard, too. Cargo space is generous, with 30.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. If you upgrade midway to the Pro S trim, it adds massaging and ventilated 12-way power-adjustable front seats with soft leatherette upholstery. Safety is a strong suit for the ID.4. First and foremost, it earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and is a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. On top of that, even the base Pro trim has a truly impressive list of standard safety features that include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, dynamic road sign assist, park assist with park distance control, and high beam control. All 2025 ID.4s now come standard with a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that provides excellent legibility and improved responsiveness. It's upsized from the old 12.0-inch version, and for the sake of convenience, the display now permanently shows climate and seat heat/ventilation controls. Sliders are finally backlit, too. All ID.4 models also come with a crisp 5.3-inch reconfigurable digital gauge display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with wireless device charging, a feature that's not often found on base trim models of any vehicle, gas or electric. The ID.4 now integrates ChatGPT into Volkswagen's IDA voice assistant, allowing for more natural and helpful voice interactions. Who saw that one coming? The ID.4 offers a smooth and serene ride that belies its price point. The cabin is hushed even at 75 mph, and the car manages bumps and pavement undulations well. The suspension toes the line between stiff and cushy, meaning there's a nice balance. The ride quality doesn't change much even when drive modes change and its good turning radius make it ideal for urban environments where too many mid-road adjustments can be frustrating. While the infotainment system has seen improvements, some users may find the touch-sensitive controls for climate and volume adjustments less intuitive than traditional physical buttons. Although the sliders are now backlit (why were they ever NOT to begin with?), they're still fussy to operate while driving. The over-reliance on touchscreen controls is a driving distraction, and physical controls have been sacrificed in the name of aesthetics. That's rarely a good decision, and many automakers are returning to actual buttons, knobs, and switches. Although the ID.4 offers respectable range figures-up to 291 miles for certain configurations-it still falls short compared to some competitors like the Tesla Model Y (227-335 miles) or Hyundai Ioniq 5 (245-318 miles). While the ID.4's range might not cause anxiety, the slower DC fast-charging in the ID.4 adds time compared to competitors on top of their superior range. This could be frustrating for some who depend on their EVs for daily commuting and errands. The ID.4's regen brakes are good but not great, largely because even the most aggressive setting does not allow for one-pedal driving. You can't simply lift off the throttle to come to a progressive and easy stop. It slows things down, for sure, but other EVs with one-pedal driving don't require actual use of the brake pedal very often, whereas the ID.4 does. That makes for extra work in heavy traffic, and that could be frustrating for those who want to take advantage of a feature largely attributed to good EVs. The 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 stands out as a well-rounded electric SUV, offering spacious comfort, advanced safety features, and an attractive tech set. However, potential buyers should consider the usability of the infotainment system and the practical aspects of range and fast-charging relative to their driving needs and compared to competitors. While the drawback shouldn't eliminate the ID.4 from your car buying checklist, they should make you evaluate your driving needs. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 VW ID.4 Starts at $46,520 Until the Smaller-Battery Model Arrives
The 2025 starts at $46,520 for the rear-wheel-drive Pro model, up by only $220 versus the 2024 model. VW only revealed pricing for models with the 77.0-kWh battery, raising the base price by $5360 versus the 2024 model with the 58.0-kWh battery. The smaller battery will rejoin the lineup later, and all ID.4s will receive additional goodies partway through 2025. The Volkswagen ID.4 had a rough end to 2024, with a recall for defective door handles and a subsequent stop-sale order leading to only 646 units finding homes in the fourth quarter. The pause in sales tanked the overall volume, which was down by 55 percent versus 2023. Now, Volkswagen has released pricing for the 2025 model year, and the cost of entry rises significantly, at least for the time being, as Volkswagen is only announcing pricing for models with the 77.0-kWh battery. The 58.0-kWh battery is set to return to the lineup later, VW says. With only the larger battery available at the moment, the lineup begins with the rear-wheel-drive Pro starting at $46,520 (up by only $220 versus last year). Upgrading to all-wheel drive bumps the price to $50,420 and adds 20-inch wheels in place of the standard 19-inchers. All Pro models also come equipped with automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and heated mirrors, while the all-wheel-drive model adds a heated windshield and a tow hitch. The cabin comes standard with a 12.9-inch infotainment screen, wireless phone mirroring, heated front seats, and a dual-zone climate control system. Up one notch is the ID.4 Pro S, which starts at $51,620 for the rear-wheel-drive version—up $200 compared with 2024—and $55,520 for all-wheel drive. The Pro S trim adds bling such as illuminated Volkswagen logos on the front and rear as well as adaptive LED headlights and 30-color ambient lighting for the cabin. The interior also gains a heated steering wheel, 12-way power-adjustable seats with a memory function, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof. The top of the line is the Pro S Plus, which sees the price rise to $58,720, a substantial hike versus the Pro S Plus's $54,600 starting price in 2024. But there's an easy explanation for this jump: the Pro S Plus no longer offers rear-wheel drive and comes exclusively with all-wheel drive. The Plus moniker sees the addition of 21-inch wheels, silver accents on the roof and bumpers, and power-folding mirrors. The cabin also receives heated rear seats, a three-zone climate control system, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. With the 58.0-kWh battery not yet available for 2025, the ID.4's base price is currently $5360 higher than the 2024 model. When the entry-level battery returns, we expect the starting price to return to around $42,000. Along with bringing back the smaller battery later this year, Volkswagen also promises that all versions of the ID.4 will receive extra content starting mid-year, although it is unclear if these upgraded variants will also be 2025 models or mark the start of the 2026 model year. Volkswagen says details and pricing for these models will be announced later. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
