We took delivery of the latest 2024 ID.4, only to discover a substantial array of upgrades compared to last year’s model, particularly on the 82kWh version.
While the 2024 ID.4 doesn’t qualify as a full model year change, Volkswagen’s plethora of updates effectively transforms this compact crossover into a de facto mid-cycle refresh. While rare, significant updates can elevate an automotive experience; following a test drive of this model year’s enhancement, I found it offered substantial changes warranting a return journey.
Those mentioned allusions are unnecessary. The base ID.4 trim, boasting 62kWh battery capacity, carries over unchanged from the previous year, despite a price increase. Initially priced at $37,495 for the 2023 model year, it received a mid-year bump of $1,500, then was raised again in 2024 to $39,735, excluding destination fees.
The Volkswagen ID.4 currently qualifies for the full $7,500 US federal EV tax credit, making it the only vehicle manufactured by an overseas automaker to meet this requirement due to its domestic production in Chattanooga, Tennessee; the credit is now available upfront at the point of sale. The 62kWh model becomes surprisingly engaging, priced from an attractive $32,000 base price after credit incentives.
Since we’re discussing the 82kWh model, let’s consistently refer to its base value instead. The 2024 model with our observed modifications commences at a price point aligning with the value proposition of many current EV offerings, including the Ioniq 5 at $42,000, the Model Y at $44,000, and similar variants. The 82-kilowatt-hour ID.4 also qualifies for the full federal tax credit, reducing its price to approximately $38,000.
What’s driving these seismic shifts in our understanding of the universe?
A more powerful rear motor enables additional energy and enhanced efficiency.
The Volkswagen ID.4’s 82 kWh variant stands out for its exceptional efficiency and eco-friendliness, thanks to an enhanced rear electric motor. As the entry-level motor remains unchanged, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variants will likely experience greater improvements compared to all-wheel-drive (AWD) models.
The rear-wheel drive model now boasts a 282 horsepower output alongside 402 pound-feet of torque, whereas the all-wheel drive variant produces 335 horsepower accompanied by 99 pound-feet at the front axle and 402 pound-feet at the rear.
The revised text is: This achievement brings all-wheel drive (AWD) 0-60 mph times down to a swift 4.9 seconds, a significant improvement over the previous 5.7-second mark, while rear-wheel drive (RWD) performance also drops to an impressive 5.9 seconds, a notable decrease from the prior 7.7 seconds.
While it’s not solely dependent on additional energy, it also boasts increased efficiency – a rare achievement indeed? The enhanced efficiency of the same measurement battery enables a longer driving range, as evidenced by the 2024 RWD ID.4 boasting an EPA-estimated range of 291 miles, a 16-mile increase over its predecessor’s 275-mile estimate. Similarly, the AWD model now boasts a 262-mile estimated range, a 8-mile improvement from its prior 255-mile estimate.
We pushed the ID.4’s revamped rear-wheel-drive capabilities to their limits on the misty Angeles Crest Freeway, and while it didn’t exactly leave us breathless, it certainly proved its mettle as a capable and comfortable daily driver? The ID.4 prioritizes its role as an everyday car, rather than a sports car. Delivering a precise drive, its performance perfectly suited to the demands of confined spaces.
As we navigated the twisty street, the vehicle handled impressively, its tires seemingly working overtime to maintain traction. Unlike many electric vehicles, the ID.4 demonstrated negligible body roll around corners due to its low center of gravity, thanks to the strategically placed battery pack located near the floor of the vehicle.
Energy was adequate for the average driver, with a smooth and moderate power delivery rather than punchy bursts. I’m inclined to crave an extra kick of energy from my ride’s powertrain, and I dislike when manufacturers deliberately inject a delay into throttle response; however, the ID.4 doesn’t feel sluggish in the slightest – unlike the Blazer EV or Fisker Ocean that I’ve recently tested.
Unlike other VW Group electric vehicles, the ID.4 is unable to provide a seamless one-pedal driving experience, unlike stronger regenerative braking systems found in models like Tesla, Nissan Leaf, and Chevrolet Bolt.
By engaging the vehicle’s “B” mode, we were able to achieve a significant amount of regenerative braking, effectively slowing down to 5mph even on an incline. Notwithstanding the regeneration’s modest intensity, I found myself instinctively grasping for the brake pedal while entering sweeping canyon turns, a departure from my usual practice of simply lifting off the accelerator in other electric vehicles.
It seems likely that Volkswagen intends to boost regenerative braking capacity on its electric vehicles; my conversation with company officials suggests they are considering this move after consulting with others who have expressed similar sentiments.
While I wouldn’t find these two points particularly objectionable (except perhaps the regenerative braking point, given my 15-year habit of one-pedal driving), they could be easily addressed by allowing customers to select various drive modes tailored to their individual preferences.
The ID.4 features a range of drive modes, including ECO, Comfort, Sport, and Custom, which allow for flexible configuration of your driving experience. Can we truly appreciate these nuances without a clear breakdown of the distinct settings? I yearn to witness an explicit distinction between the various modes: the noticeably firmer steering, the more aggressive throttle response, the amplified regenerative braking – each mode uniquely tailored to cater to diverse driving styles and preferences.
While exploring distinct modes, I find that the primary alteration lies in the UI’s colour scheme, allowing me to choose my drive mode based on whether I prefer a crimson, blue, or subtle shade of blue as the UI accent colour.
With our conversation focused on the user interface, we’re pleased to report that the 2024 model boasts a significantly enhanced user experience, one that left us thoroughly impressed.
Significant user interface enhancements significantly boost individual proficiency.
As a finicky consumer when interacting with digital interfaces, I consistently pose challenges. While I’ve criticized the majority of automotive user interfaces as being dreadful, a notable exception lies in the electric vehicle startups. Despite efforts to create user-friendly in-car entertainment systems, many automakers seem to have abandoned the quest for intuitive infotainment, instead opting to outsource this responsibility to tech giants Apple and Google through their respective CarPlay and Android Auto initiatives. While the ID.4 includes various features, you may still choose to utilize its methods if they align with your preferences.
Although Volkswagen made several adjustments to its original driver interface, these changes are indeed welcome. Although the display has expanded to 12.9 inches, much of the additional space is occupied by a persistent local weather management feature, providing access to fan speed controls and split temperature controls for both the driver and passenger. The system also allows for the control of ventilated seats, a feature introduced on the 2024 model.
The temperature and quantity controls are further enhanced by a physical touch bar situated beneath the display. The contact bar is now prominently illuminated in the 2024 model, a significant improvement over its previously obscure visibility at night.
Volkswagen has updated its electric vehicle route planner for the 2024 model, allowing for up to 10 charging stops on a single route. The revamped feature now considers not only Electrify America stations but also other charging networks – excluding NACS for now, with rumors suggesting this may change in the near future.
Here’s the improved text:
To fully utilize its capabilities, simply enter your desired vacation spot and let the car plan your charging stops. It will notify you of the optimal stopping points, along with the duration of each stop, and automatically preconditions the battery to optimize charging times. Moreover, it updates in real-time to indicate the number of available free chargers at each stop – although this information is currently displayed in small font on a dark gray background against a light gray background, which could be improved for better visibility.
While we didn’t have the opportunity to test quick charging capabilities, which reportedly increase to 175kW on the 2024 model, up from 170kW previously, the route planning feature performed impressively rapidly, calculating a lengthy multi-stop itinerary in mere seconds – even outpacing Tesla’s system.
You’ll customize the settings, instructing your vehicle to ensure you never fall below a certain threshold while driving or guarantee a minimum amount of flexibility upon arrival (e.g.,)? When traveling to a location where you won’t have daily access to charging facilities. The One UI display provides an estimated cost projection based on current charging, offering insight into how quickly your vehicle will charge if plugged in now, allowing for a rough approximation of the cost curve despite the lack of precise information at this time.
One other related charging-related change is that the ID.4 only recently (lastly) bought plug & cost. This was rolled out to 2023 fashions on Electrify America stations simply final month, however the 2024 mannequin will be capable of use Plug & Cost on non-EA stations as properly. Plug & Cost is the identify of a characteristic that permits you to simply plug right into a DC cost station and stroll away with out having to open any apps or swipe any playing cards or something – an identical expertise to utilizing a Tesla Supercharger.
The UI controls had been moderately responsive overall, thanks in part to the up-to-date processing velocity and memory for the infotainment system, though it’s still not as smooth as one would expect from an iPad – a benchmark every automaker should strive for. However, the structure of sub-menus was often convoluted and difficult to navigate. While it’s possible that expertise could resolve this issue, we inadvertently bypassed several submenu options due to their generic-sounding headings, such as “primary features.”?
The software upgrades in this vehicle are particularly impressive, considering Volkswagen’s prior challenges with meeting electric vehicle software development timelines. Cariad, a software program unit established by Volkswagen in 2020, aimed to bolster its electric vehicle’s (EV) software capabilities and enable over-the-air updates to vehicles – effectively transforming VW’s software into a Tesla-like platform. However, the unit has struggled to gain control, with issues reportedly playing a significant role in the departure of former CEO Herbert Diess. In October, the corporation tapped a team of experienced veterans from the electric vehicle startup sector to tackle the lingering challenges.
And minor physical tweaks had been implemented, including repositioning the PRND lever for enhanced visibility and lowering the hazard button slightly, as a result of users had previously reported accidentally activating it while reaching for the touchscreen – a concern even Volkswagen’s own Michelle Lewis, an ID.4 owner, had experienced herself?
Introducing the ID.4, now equipped with a cutting-edge chatbot: the perfect fusion of automotive innovation and conversational AI.
This revolutionary technology seamlessly integrates within your vehicle’s interior, providing an unparalleled smart-driving experience that harmonizes with your unique lifestyle.
One notable feature we found impressive is the innovative ChatGPT-powered voice assistant functionality. Volkswagen claims to be the first mass manufacturer to incorporate this groundbreaking technology across its entire range, starting with compact models upward.
That’s a clever play on words referencing Volkswagen’s ID series, but the text could be improved for clarity and coherence.
VW’s “IDA” to electrify entire lineup by 2035? The ID.4’s voice assistant, dubbed “IDA,” can be summoned via an intuitive touch on the steering wheel or a simple phrase: “Hey IDA.” This intuitive interface grants control over a comprehensive array of car features, which users can explore in-depth through the IDA menus. With advancements in artificial intelligence, all available information can be accessed through natural language processing, eliminating the need to use specific keywords; instead, conversing with a device, such as speaking to an autonomous vehicle, allows it to intuitively understand your query and provide the desired outcome.
Although we didn’t utilize it extensively, it performed reasonably well in grasping our intended meanings, even if its accuracy was not entirely precise. While there have been instances where refining our questions yields superior responses from voice assistants, this is an unfortunate expectation we’ve grown accustomed to with many of these systems. Through voice recognition, it demonstrated impressive speed and accuracy, outperforming many other automotive voice assistants in its vast capabilities.
However, the most brilliant aspect of the IDA system lies in its ability to function perfectly without requiring a specific label or nomenclature – simply put, it can thrive regardless of what we choose to call it. With this software, you’ll be able to customise the device’s name by modifying its wake phrase. Behold!
To VW: I apologize for the unkind words about your voice assistant; it’s actually quite impressive. As an inexperienced newcomer like myself, I can see how it might not meet all expectations.
Honestly, this trait is something I genuinely possess. While it’s indeed straightforward to modify the wake word, this versatility takes on greater significance within the automotive sphere.
On one hand, this conversational tone allows for lighthearted humor, such as my earlier attempt at levity. Alternatively, it marks a genuine enhancement in our dialogue, evident in the enhanced clarity and precision with which we can communicate. If someone in your household shares the name Ciri or you habitually use the phrase “at a loss” for descriptive purposes, integrating an Apple device into your home may become increasingly complicated. This phenomenon surprisingly echoes the long-standing cultural trend of people giving names to their vehicles. Now, you can quickly identify your automobile by scanning its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
This showstopper is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, effortlessly winning hearts from the very first bite. Vendors seeking to showcase Volkswagen’s innovative features can effortlessly captivate clients by introducing them to a singular attribute that will undoubtedly astonish and thrill them with its exceptional performance.
Conclusion and availability
As I spent time with VW Group EVs, which tend to stick to tried-and-true approaches, I found myself repeatedly uttering “that’s cool” in response to innovative user interface enhancements that pleasantly surprised me throughout our brief encounter. It seems they’ve achieved a consistent track record in their profession thus far.
While acknowledging that the 2024 Golf has undergone significant updates, its age warrants reconsideration of nomenclature; considering naming it a mid-cycle refresh due to its three-year history. The 2024 model boasts notable exterior upgrades, with some configurations featuring changes to the car’s outside sheet steel, apart from wheels – which measure 20 inches on AWD entry-level models and 21 inches on AWD/RWD S Plus trims. This is indeed a “sturdy” model-year update.
While initially available across the range, these enhancements are actually exclusive to the pricier 82kWh variant, leaving the more affordable 62kWh model unaffected. While Volkswagen touted the 62kWh’s appealing entry point, this promise is somewhat diminished by the fact that most of the new features come with a $5,140 price tag for an upgraded battery, which may be a barrier for many potential buyers.
Perhaps these modifications might trickle down to the model lineup once a mid-cycle refresh is underway, potentially within another year or two. We will hope, anyway.
Regardless, huge upgrades right here. As the 2024 ID.4 models arrive at dealerships in March, the value proposition is set to become even more enticing for those considering this electric SUV.
