Summary
On UK roads since 2021, the Volkswagen ID.4 is the second model from the German giant’s electric sub-brand, and is built on the same platform as the smaller ID.3 hatchback.
Initial ‘1st Edition’ models were quite pricey, although cheaper versions (with less power and battery capacity) joined the range soon after launch. An updated model arrived in late 2023.
The Volkswagen ID.4 powertrain comprises an electric motor driving the rear wheels and fed by a battery pack. There are two performance levels (roughly 150hp and 200hp) and three battery options. In top-spec Pro Performance versions, Volkswagen quotes an official battery range of 310 miles – directly comparable to a petrol-powered car.
As the ID.4 has been designed as an EV from the outset, its batteries are neatly packaged – the Daily Mirror notes that it has much more interior space than rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz EQA, which is basically a petrol car converted to an electric one.
Journalists like the ID.4’s range, and its ride quality – according to Top Gear, the driving experience is smooth, silent and demanding nothing of the driver, though the 8.5-second 0-62mph time is considered tardy for an EV.
The exterior visuals have drawn both praise and indifference from reviews, but the interior styling comes in for more criticism – the white finish is described as sterile, while the touchscreen infotainment system annoys several.
As of October 2025, the Volkswagen ID.4 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 77%. It achieves top marks for its low running costs, zero tailpipe emissions and safety rating score. However, its media review scores and Volkswagen’s new car warranty coverage are only average.
ID.4 highlights
- Impressive interior space
- Long range with largest 77kWh battery
- Attractive, clean styling
- Refined and silent on the road
ID.4 lowlights
- Infotainment system fiddly
- Remaining battery range hidden behind menus
- Tardy acceleration for an EV
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV
Motor: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £36,995 on-road
Launched: Winter 2020/21
Last updated: Autumn 2023
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The Volkswagen ID.4 won’t set pulses racing, but that’s not really the point of the family-sized all-electric SUV. It offers usable space and good levels of on-board tech, while a comfortable ride and practical range make it easy to live with. However, it’s not the most engaging drive and, if you take a look inside, you’ll notice some of the trim is a little cheaper-looking than you might expect. The touch-sensitive controls can also be frustrating to use, especially when you’re on the move.
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Auto Express
Steve Walker, Alastair Crooks
“The Volkswagen ID4 is a spacious electric car with a decent range and a modern, minimalist interior. It’s not the sleekest looking SUVs though and you may struggle to get near the claimed range.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
More reviews
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Pro Style Edition (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“Tech and software tweaks have kept the Volkswagen ID.4 EV fresh, but there are still drawbacks.”
Read review
Model reviewed: GTX
Score: 8 / 10
“Volkswagen’s first electric performance model is a promising exercise, with snappy acceleration and impressive handling, given the weight. However, it’s likely to be priced from £50k, which makes it a less affordable model, even if it does add extra performance capability.”
Read review
Score: 8 / 10
“With the ID.3 catering for hatchback buyers and focused on Europe, the ID.4 SUV is Volkswagen’s first serious global Tesla rival. It represents an impressive yet different alternative to the longer range, flashier Model Y with its anticipated higher price tag.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The VW ID.4 is cheap to run and has lots of space and a quality feel.”
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Car
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“With more conventional looks than the ID.3 and a more pleasing cabin, the Volkswagen ID.4 feels like the future has suddenly arrived in the present. This is fundamentally an excellent e-SUV that’ll make going electric even easier for British families considering taking the plunge and plugging in.”
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: GTX
Score: 8 / 10
“The GTX feels like a great addition to Volkswagen’s ID-badged line-up of cars. It’s a lot more exciting to drive than the standard ID.4 and that’s something that shouldn’t be sniffed at in this segment, where driver involvement can often be lacking.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 77kWh Pro Performance
Score: 8 / 10
“The ID.4 is another very credible model from Volkswagen, with its roomy interior, comfort and refinement and SUV styling likely to have huge appeal. While the cabin isn’t the best out there, the ID.4 feels perfectly designed to integrate into the lives of those that have never owned an EV before.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.4 is a fun and practical zero-emissions SUV.” (Ben Hodges)
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Pro Performance
“The Volkswagen ID.4 has smart looks, a minimalist interior that takes a bit of getting used to and bags of space for four adults plus luggage, as well as impressive range and a pleasant driving experience.”
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Daily Mail
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Pro Performance
“The Volkswagen ID.4 is a smart, practical vehicle that sits comfortably on any driveway.”
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Pro Performance
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.4 has looks, space and impressive range.”
Read review
Discover EV
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Pro Performance
Score: 8 / 10
“A bigger, more practical version of the ID.3 family hatchback, the Volkswagen ID.4 boasts an impressive 310-mile range, SUV styling and is relatively cheap to buy and run.”
Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: GTX
Score: 10 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.4 GTX is the all-wheel drive version of the all-electric ID.4 SUV; with more grip, power and torque, it’s even better to drive, and still practical.” (Paul Clarke)
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Model reviewed: 1st Edition Pro Performance
Score: 10 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.4 is an all-electric SUV with an official driving range of 310 miles, lots of space for five plus a big boot, and it’s very refined and comfortable.”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
“We’ve only driven the First Edition so far (with the Pure Performance battery pack) and found it to be a likeable car, with a superb ride quality. While it’s not as exciting as some alternatives, it feels safe to drive and won’t be daunting to anyone stepping out of a petrol or diesel car.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.4 is a capable electric SUV that could fit seamlessly into family life. However, we’d favour the more desirable and dynamic Ford Mustang Mach-E if shopping towards the upper end of the range.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The VW ID.4’s 310-mile range is well ahead of all rivals. It’s good to drive, both nippy and comfortable, and with a spacious interior and boot making it family-friendly.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Pro Performance
“I quite like it. It’s a Volkswagen. Which means it’s well built. It’s got a Tardis-like cabin with trendy brown and grey upholstery. On point. It’s also calm, clean, quiet, airy and tech-rich.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 1st Edition Pro Performance
Score: 8 / 10
“While the interior may not be to everyone’s tastes, I really like the Volkswagen ID.4’s unfussy minimalism. There are better-looking electric cars to drive, more advanced ones and faster ones, but VW’s everyman EV is likely to steal sales away from the Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: GTX
Score: 6 / 10
“The problems with the GTX don’t stem from its sporting bent, but more from the ID.4 on which it is based. It’s let down by a penny-pinching interior, niggling electronic glitches and some frankly bizarre switchgear and user interface decisions.”
Read review
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“Big, comfortable and superficially interesting, the Volkswagen ID.4 has quite a lot going for it, but some of its interior feels built to a price and that infuriating touchscreen needs a radical rethink, fast.”
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Top Gear
Score: 8 / 10
“Crossovers are family transit pods. And judged through that lens, the Volkswagen ID.4 is right on target.”
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Which EV?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.4 is a brilliant electric SUV. Its key benefit is class-leading battery range, but it also has plenty of space for passengers and cargo. The standard equipment includes a few very welcome items like heated seats and adaptive cruise control. It may not have even vaguely Tesla-beating performance, but for a family SUV it ticks most of the boxes – at least until the Tesla Model Y and Skoda Enyaq iV come along.” (James Morris)
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 84%
Safety assist: 76%
The Volkswagen ID.4 was originally tested in 2021 by Euro NCAP and gained a five-star rating. It was re-tested in October 2025 under tougher new protocols, where it retained its five-star rating, albeit with reduced scores in most tests.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of October 2025, the Volkswagen ID.4 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the ID.4 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 319 miles | A |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 4.1 m/KWh | C |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 33 | D |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £242 | C |
| Year 2 | £492 | B |
| Year 3 | £743 | B |
| Year 4 | £996 | B |
| Year 5 | £1,252 | A |
| Overall | £3,725 | B |
The Volkswagen ID.4 is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
The SUV offers a competitive battery range and electrical efficiency, although its insurance premiums are more expensive than the market average. In addition, the car’s service and maintenance costs over the course of five years of ownership are predicted to be excellent.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of October 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen ID.4 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the ID.4, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Volkswagen ID.4
| Overall rating | C | 50% |
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | 60,000 miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
Volkswagen’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, with a duration of three years and a limit of 60,000 miles. Other rivals in the price bracket do better (and in some cases, much better).
In addition to the standard new car warranty, the ID.4 has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Warranty on a used Volkswagen ID.4
- If you are purchasing an ‘Approved Used’ ID.4 from an official Volkswagen dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
- If you are buying a used ID.4 from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
- If you are buying a used ID.4 from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Volkswagen ID.4
Date: May 2024
Recall number: R/2024/221
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2022 to 04/2024
Number of vehicles affected: 634
Defect: The bolted connection of the front seats between backrest and seat pan may be incorrect. The restraint effect of the seat may be insufficient in the event of an accident. There is therefore an increased risk for occupants.
Remedy: On affected vehicles, the bolts on both front seat backrests must be replaced.
Date: November 2021
Recall number: R/2021/409
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2021 to 04/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 2
Defect: Possible missing bearing bush in the area of the steering worm gear.
Remedy: On all affected vehicles, the steering rack must be replaced.
As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been two DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Volkswagen ID.4.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Volkswagen dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used ID.4, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen ID.4 has received
2022
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Family EV
2021
- World Car of the Year
Similar cars
If you’re looking at a new or used Volkswagen ID.4, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Current models: Audi Q4 e-tron | BMW iX3 | BYD Atto 3 | Citroën ë-C4 | Cupra Tavascan | Ford Explorer | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | KGM Torres EVX | Kia EV5 | Leapmotor C10 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | Mini Countryman Electric | Nissan Ariya | Peugeot e-3008 | Renault Scenic E-Tech | Skoda Enyaq | Smart #5 | Subaru Solterra | Tesla Model Y | Toyota bZ4X | Vauxhall Grandland Electric | Volvo EX40
Discontinued models: BMW iX3 (2021 to 2025) | Jaguar I-Pace (2018 to 2024)
Buy a new or used Volkswagen ID.4
If you’re looking to buy a Volkswagen ID.4, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car
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Lease a new Volkswagen ID.4
If you’re looking to lease a new Volkswagen ID.4, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carwow. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a Volkswagen ID.4
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from SelfDrive.
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Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
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Car subscriptions from Just Vehicle Solutions.
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