VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 TEST RESULTS

EV Channels Review

The Volkswagen ID.4 is presented as a dedicated long-range EV on a new platform, aiming to blend hatchback and SUV characteristics. While it offers decent performance, ample interior space, and a comfortable ride, its primary drawbacks are its frustratingly unintuitive controls and a driving range that falls significantly short of key competitors like the Tesla Model Y (240 miles vs. 326 miles). The reviewer highlights the "disaster" of the capacitive touch controls, the awkwardness of the hidden gear selector, and the lack of dedicated physical buttons for common functions like climate control and window operation. The brake pedal feel is also criticized for being spongy and difficult to modulate. Despite these issues, the vehicle is acknowledged as a pretty good car overall, with the three years of free Electrify America charging being a potential draw. However, the consensus is that the ID.4 misses opportunities to innovate, largely replicating the mistakes of other manufacturers trying to be "futuristic" rather than functional, unlike competitors such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 which successfully integrated new technology with user-friendly controls.