Pros/ Spacious and airy interior, affordable pricing, feels like a "regular" car
Cons/ Capacitive touch controls, limited availability, lacks stand-out features
Bottom Line/ The ID.4 is the peoples' electric car, pleasantly inoffensive but risks blending into the crowd. The base model is a particularly strong value.
Table of contents
2023 Volkswagen ID.4 First Drive Review: Locally Sourced, Base is Ace
Volkswagen is really taking the “shop local” mindset seriously with the refreshed 2023 ID.4 EV.
When sales started a year and a half ago, North America got its goods from the same place everyone else did: the Zwickau-Mosel plant in Germany. It was, to put it simply, a bottleneck, even before the industry-wide supplier shortages. After an $800-million dollar investment in Chattanooga, Volkswagen has adapted its production facility there to not only build the ID.4, but the batteries that power it. To mark the occasion, the brand has tweaked the ID.4 for the 2023 model year, creating a package unique to North America. Not only that, the Peoples’ Car people have also added a more affordable, smaller-battery option to anchor the lineup.
The changes don’t dramatically alter VW’s dedicated electric SUV. Instead, the result is a quietly competent choice in an increasingly competitive segment. Factor in a bargain price tag—and the possibility of even further rebates in Canada and the US—and the 2023 VW ID.4 has become one of the most appealing packages on the market.
Toyota bZ4X vs Volkswagen ID.4: Which SUV EV is Right for You?
Two of the latest all-electric SUVs to hit the market come from the same source.
The Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra are co-designed between the two manufactures, which is readily apparent when the vehicles are parked side-by-side. Despite the obvious similarities, there are some differences in this Toyota bZ4X vs Subaru Solterra sibling rivalry. Below we break down the features, specifications, and capabilities to help you decide which of these EVs is the right fit for you.
Detailed Specs
Price / | $41,230 - $49,410 |
Motor / | Single Motor / Dual Motor |
Power / | 201 hp / 295 hp |
Torque / | 229 lb-ft / 339 lb-ft |
Drivetrain / | RWD / AWD |
Transmission / | Single-Speed Automatic |
Efficiency (city/hwy) / | 100–116 MPGe / 90–98 MPGe |
Cargo Capacity / | 30.3 cu ft |
Our Final Verdict
Volkswagen ID.4
3.9Performance | 7.0 |
Features | 8.0 |
Comfort | 8.0 |
Quality and Styling | 8.0 |
Value | 8.0 |