Volkswagen ID.4 review

There are six ID.4s to choose from – Match Pure, Match Pro, Black Edition, Match Pro 4Motion, Black Edition 4Motion and GTX.

The entry-level Match Pure has a 52kWh battery and a 168bhp e-motor. That car starts at £39,590. The Match Pro and Black Edition (both RWD) have a bigger 77kWh battery and more powerful 282bhp motor, and cost £44,400 and £46,180 respectively. Want all-wheel drive? You’re looking at £46,120 and £47,900 respectively.

The top-spec car is the GTX, which comes with a 79kWh battery and 335bhp dual motor powertrain. £52,245, please sir/madam.

The ID.4 is a tough sell: the Skoda Enyaq starts a couple of hundred quid cheaper, and a Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model 3 around the same price. The Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX3 and Ford Mustang Mach-E are all at least a couple of grand dearer.

And what do I get on each of those?

Entry-level Match Pure cars get 19in wheels as standard, along with LED headlights, satnav, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, USB-C plugs front and rear, a rearview camera, and keyless entry. All ID.4s also get VW's latest infotainment setup, which means a 12.9in touchscreen in the centre of the dash.

Match Pro gets the bigger motor and battery plus LED Matrix headlights, illuminated grille and door handles, a heated windscreen, electric tailgate with kick activation, 'Play and Pause' brake and accelerator pedals. Childish, and we love it.

Match Pro 4Motion throws four wheel drive into the mix. As if that needed explaining.

The Black Editions were introduced in 2025, and get black alloy wheels, side mirrors, roof trim, rear pillar and bootlid badging. Inside there’s sport front seats with adjustable lumbar support and massage function, wrapped in suede upholstery. Notably, Volkswagen claims that all this extra kit is worth £4,625, but only asks for £1,780 over the Match versions. Bargain.

GTX models meanwhile get 20in alloy wheels, GTX detailing (including red accents and badging), progressive steering and sports suspension, massaging front seats, head-up display, panoramic glass roof, three-zone climate control, area view camera, Harman Kardon sound system, and a luggage net for when the going gets twisty.

Options include a heat pump to warm the cabin with less battery drain (£1,150) that’s well worth considering, adaptive dampers (£1,200) that you can probably do without, and a tow bar (£890) which… only you’ll know if you need. But if you’re doing lots of towing expect to get nowhere near the quoted range.

How quickly does it charge?

The 52kWh cars charge at 115kW max, while the 77kWh models peak at 135kW and the GTX at 175kW. All ID.4s average out at the same 10 to 80 per cent pace, taking 28 minutes.

VW also has a charge roaming app so you can use chargers of many networks, with a single monthly bill. That reduces the need to sign up to dozens separately. Still, as with all other EVs, owners will almost always charge on AC at home overnight.

What's the best spec?

As is the way with so many EVs, the smaller motored, bigger batteried version is the pick of the bunch here. That means you’re looking at Match Pro or Black Edition specs with 282bhp and 77kWh battery. Which you choose is really down to your personal taste. And wallet size.

Warranty is three years and 60,000 miles, but the battery is eight years and 100,000 miles.