2023 Volkswagen ID.4: The Best EV for Most People

Written by EVNN Staff

One of the latest electric cars to hit the automobile market is the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4, which was recently released in the fourth quarter of 2022. The company has always been synonymous with the production of quality cars and you can expect the 2023 ID.4 to align with that reputation. Most recently, it has been focusing more on competing with other manufacturers trying to make noise in the EV market. If you’re considering buying an electric car, you may find that to be quite difficult as so many of them exist. But before you look at the 150 new models that will hit showrooms from 2023 to 2026, why not give the ID.4 a chance? With all of its features that make it stand out among its competitors, it’s entirely possible that this car may be the right one for you. 

In this article, you’ll learn all about the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S Trim. This model sells for $47,495 MSRP, excluding tax incentives and federal taxes for buying an electric car.

The car comes with an adaptive front lighting system and high-end LED projector lights. The weather lights aren’t too visible during the day, but you’ll see how bright they are during cold weather. The logo on the front and back are illuminated, and you get a front light bar. The steering wheel has a heating mechanism which is a huge feature if you live in colder areas. 

Taking into account the price tag, the company surprisingly gave the ID.4’s average massage seats. Average, meaning they’re not as good as the massage function found in a Mercedes Benz S550 or S600, but just good enough for an additional feature. You become even more comfortable with the lumbar support that moves up and down automatically. This comes in handy when you want to go for a long ride. When fully charged, this car can give you around 268 miles of driving range, with a real range of 240 to 260 miles.

Inside you’ll immediately notice the minimalistic design. The leather is stitched up nicely, and in front, you’ll see two main screens. You can view the speedometer on the main dash screen just in front of you. The screen also shows you the current lane assist and gives you a nudge when the car is going off on a different lane. The other screen is 12 inches that is compatible with wired and wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto as well. An electric car newbie wouldn’t find it hard to toggle cruise control as it only requires a press of a button, just like with every major action. The buttons are mostly digital, but it does click whenever you press on them. So they’re not actual buttons but feel like real buttons. Some who’d rather have tactile buttons could find these annoying. But driving this car long enough will make any driver get used to the weird buttons. It’s really just a matter of time. If you look at the buttons on the left side of the wheel, there’s a button in the middle that allows you to tell the car how far you want to be from the car in front of you. The lever right here tells how many distances there are, measured every 10 feet, and you can speed up by five miles per hour. 

Unlike other electric cars, the ID.4 doesn’t withdraw from adaptive cruise control when hitting a certain mileage per hour. With this car, you can drop to 25 miles per hour, and it’ll maintain a safe distance while keeping in the lane. The speed is automatically adjusted depending on how far a vehicle is in front of you. You can go slow but the miles per hour increases if the car in front of you goes faster. The ID.4 is a little slower than the Tesla. It can clear 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds, while the Tesla can do it in 3.5 seconds. The cheaper model that is equipped with a 62-kilowatt-hour battery takes 5.7 seconds. Not much difference, and it’s not even important. In the end, it’s an electric car that generates power and torque in a heartbeat anytime you want to overtake. The screen also shows a lot of info, including the battery remaining, how many miles you get per kilowatt hour, and the distance you’ve traveled, among others. 

The infotainment system looks simple and easy to use, but it can be argued that it lacks creativity.. You can see the navigation on the 12-inch screen, where you can access the Bluetooth settings, the MP3 player, car info, and activate Apple CarPlay. If you want to, you can also connect to the car’s built-in WiFi, and the level of connection can be seen on the left side. When you see the WiFi symbol, it means your phone is now connected. This is also visible when you’re on CarPlay. The power rear liftgate is remote-operated and most helpful when transporting heavy loads like groceries or other stuff. You can also bend the backseats to give more space for even bigger cargo. 

Anyone who’s already owned a Volkswagen and is interested in owning an electric car would easily be convinced by the ID.4 to purchase it. Just look at all the features you’re getting in a compact crossover for a competitive price. Volkswagen itself isn’t losing any loyal customers anytime soon. As a matter of fact, its recent moves may even draw more new customers to its products. The reputable car company is bringing its manufacturing activities to the US, including ID.4 models and other Volkswagen vehicles. The company has invested over $800 million to electrify the factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which will cater to more US consumers. If you think the Pro S is too much for your bank account, then you can opt for the ID.4 standard, which is significantly cheaper at $37495 equipped with a 62-kilowatt hour battery and rear wheel drive.

The 2023 ID.4 is currently exclusive to US and North American consumers and is being produced in the US. This makes the purchasing of this model more accessible to the interested. Not only that, but the manufacturing process will be much faster and more efficient. In addition, under the Inflation Reduction Act passed earlier this year, the facility in Tennessee could possibly mean that buyers will be eligible for federal tax rebates, which could also attract more customers. The ID.4’s driving performance and overall design make it feel more expensive compared to more economical electric cars such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Kia Niro EV, or Chevrolet’s Bolt EV and EUV. The 62-kilowatt-hour battery should be looked at by any beginner electric car owner, especially those who love German cars.