There are no flaws. There isn’t a lack of driving, comfort, or features. Even the often problematic regenerative braking system for electric vehicles has been refined to perfection. This is Volkswagen’s promising contender for the electric era, the ‘ID.4’. On the 26th, I drove 40km from Cafe 109 in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do to Ananti in the enhanced 2023 model of the Volkswagen ID.4.
Having debuted in the Korean market in September 2022, the ID.4 is now celebrating its first anniversary of sales. The 2023 model has increased the range on a single charge from 405km to 421km.
The front end features ‘IQ Light-LED Matrix Headlamps’ integrated with an intelligent light system, connected by a ‘Front LED Light Strip’, and ‘LED Tail Lights’ at the rear, all highlighting Volkswagen’s design genes from afar.
Measuring 4,585×1,850×1,615mm, the ID.4 utilizes Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform. The dynamic roofline and shoulder line from the A-pillar to the D-pillar accentuate the ID.4’s sporty character.
Although it is classified as a compact SUV, the ID.4 boasts a relatively long wheelbase of 2,765mm, thanks to the MEB platform. The second row provides ample knee room and headroom, and the flat center tunnel allows for comfortable seating even in the middle seat of the second row, making it a suitable family vehicle.
The dashboard features a protruding 5.3-inch driver display and a 12-inch touch screen. The seemingly compact driver display provides only essential information. It’s a reflection of the minimalist and practical approach typical of Germans.
The leather finish on the dashboard emphasizes the premium feel Volkswagen strives for. The ID.4 also comes equipped with a wireless charging pad in the center console for easy smartphone charging without cables. Additionally, both the driver and the second row get C-type USB ports, eliminating concerns of smartphone charging during long trips. The essential Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems are integrated to minimize distractions while driving.
The lock-to-lock steering ratio is 2.8 turns. While most electric cars have relatively light steering responses, the ID.4 feels soft yet slightly weighty just like a luxury sedan.
In this age of varying gear selectors, the ID.4 features a rotary gear selector, neither a column shift nor an electronic dial. The gear selector is conveniently located next to the driver’s display; simply rotate it according to the driving mode for stopping or starting.
The ID.4 is equipped with an 82kWh battery that can take you up to 421km on a full charge. With its rear motor, it delivers a smooth performance with a maximum output of 204 horsepower and maximum torque of 31.6kg.m. In urban settings where quick stopping and going is common, the ride quality stays comfortable, with only the faint sounds of surrounding vehicles audible. Amidst the busy traffic, a sense of tranquility envelops you.
On entering the automobile-only road, the ID.4 showcased its exceptional power performance. At a speed of 100 km/h, I could not feel the noise from the pavement or wind. It was as if the ID.4 was saying, “See?” and gliding effortlessly like a skater on ice, showcasing a silky driving experience. I had underestimated its capabilities.
The primary drawback of electric vehicles—regenerative braking. I adjusted the gear selector to the B mode, which is set for regenerative braking. However, unlike the typical electric vehicle that often causes motion sickness due to regenerative braking, the ID.4 exhibited a refined and stable regenerative braking response. It transformed the usual experience of deceleration into a situation where I even found myself pressing the accelerator pedal during regenerative braking, feeling secure in both the ride and when holding the steering wheel.
Volkswagen’s driving assistance system, IQ Drive, is incorporated into the ID.4. The adaptive cruise control doesn’t insist on its own speed in congested areas; it advances slowly with caution. This system provides moments of relief for drivers facing fatigue due to traffic jams. Moreover, various safety features, including lane-keeping assistance systems, are integrated to ensure the safety of passengers in diverse road scenarios.
The 2023 ID.4 showcases balanced comfort features and dynamic performance, having proudly entered the Korean market one year ago. Additionally, its refined and soft regenerative braking serves as a strong reminder to those hesitant to purchase electric vehicles due to concerns about regenerative braking systems that “we are different from standard electric vehicles.”
This is Volkswagen’s heralding of the electrification era. A promising vehicle that guides our society toward a world of carbon neutrality faster than anticipated.
The test vehicle was the ID.4 Pro, priced at 59.9 million won.
Written by Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr