Volkswagen’s EV blitz was supposed to be a blitz that would help make the German car giant a leader in the EV wars. However, the company has stumbled off the starting blocks and it’s still navigating rough waters as issues in its home market have the potential of distracting it from its broader goals.
However, there are also signs that the pages are turning too with the Volkswagen ID.Buzz bringing some much-needed retro flavor to the futuristic EV segment. In the meantime, the company still has to rely on the venerable ID. 4 for a broader influx of sales but while the model has had a slow start, is it still a good EV pick in a rapidly changing segment?
Minor revisions lead the way in ID.4
With the ID.4 receiving a number of key updates and revisions for 2024, the 2025 model takes it nice and slow when it comes to updates. The exterior styling is still simplistic modernism, but models with the base 58.0 kWh battery pack get a bigger 12.6-inch screen while the S models get ventilated front seats and Volkswagen is adding other minor trim and equipment updates.
With these minor updates, the exterior is forced to handle the bulk of the work when it comes to getting attention. As mentioned, the exterior styling is modern and slick but it’s also starting to show its age. The ID.4 still looks like a blob and this blob-like appearance is in stark contrast to other rivals which often have crisper lines and a sharper focus on appealing to tech-savvy buyers who want an offering that’s a balanced blend of style and substance. Our tester was a base Pro model and while it did have some additional visual garnishments to help the CUV stand out a bit better, it’s still not enough to hide the fact that this EV prefers to blend into the crowd versus being a leader.
ID.4 interior is still comfortable
The ID.4 might not offer much to look at on the outside but the interior does its best to at least be a comfortable place to spend time in. The design is clean, crisp, and airy with high tech features being a prominent part of the driving experience. Base Pro models like our tester aren’t as glamorous as other models but the front seats are still comfortable and offer balanced levels of support.
A 12.0-inch screen is standard but buyers can opt for a bigger 12.9-inch screen with the bigger screen having the latest version of VW’s digital interface. Unfortunately, this interface is still not the greatest around with the screen being fussy and frustrating to use especially when accessing the map in the navigation system. We also noticed considerable lag when accessing other features though using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay does help alleviate the frustration somewhat. Cargo capacity in the rear is also generous especially when the second row seats are folded down. A 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster is also standard and the voice recognition feature continues to be a highlight in the ID.4
Competent performance
The 2025 ID.4 comes in several distinct performance flavors but in the case of our Pro model, it arrived with a more powerful 82-kWh battery pack that allowed it to make 282 hp and 402 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard and the setup allowed our tester to make the sprint to 60 mph in just over 7.1 seconds. That’s on par for the segment but it won’t set the world on fire either when it comes to how it’s compared with some rivals.
Buyers looking for more performance can go for the optional dual-motor setup which allows it to make 330 hp. The extra performance over the standard model is a welcome and noticeable upgrade but you do pay for it in terms of range with our RWD Pro tester getting an EPA-rated 122/104 MPGe with 113 MPGe in combined driving.
Handling in our tester is not as sharp as a performance vehicle with the steering feeling lighter than a loaf of white bread when the EV is pushed through its paces. This light steering feel makes up for it by giving the ID.4 good manners in urban commuting with the EV soaking up bumps and divots with no problem. Braking in our tester was also competent but there were times when the regen braking came in too strongly and it made it difficult to find the proper bite point for the pedal to ensure consistent stopping behavior in our battery of tests.
Value Quotient
Pricing for the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 continues to be a strong suit with a base standard model starting at $39,735 before options and fees are tacked on. The Standard model is also the only one firmly in the $30,000 range with the majority of the lineup hovering comfortably over $40,000. The lone exception is the range-topping AWD Pro S with that model starting at $53,875.
This pricing allows the ID.4 to be competitive with rivals but the main thing holding the ID.4 back is that this pricing ladder isn’t matched by some of the figurative meat and potatoes that the ID.4 brings to the table with some of these features not matching up with the rest of the segment. This includes the clunky infotainment system, limited range, and the overactive regen braking which all fall behind the rest of the pack in some of these categories.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.