The new VW ID.4 is out, and it is the second VW ID electric car and their first production electric SUV. It’s here to rival the likes of the Nissan Ariya, and it starts at $35,000 before grants. It’s cheaper than a Tesla Model Y and a Nissan Ariya. It seats five comfortably and it could be the best electric family car on sale right now.
The ID.4 is a serious step forwards for VW, as the ID.4 ticks all the right boxes. Firstly, it’s electric which is a huge bonus since the incentives are high, no road tax, no gas bills, etc. Secondly, it’s an SUV and right now SUVs are all the rage due to their raised driving position. Thirdly, it’s a family car which appeals to a wide market of people. Lastly, it’s cheaper than most electric cars which is a huge bonus since many people want an affordable electric car.
Most middle-class families, etc will be able to afford this car quite easily. It will seat them all comfortably and the range isn’t too bad either. This is a car that I think will put VW ahead of most competitors in the electric car game. They already are big with their Internal Combustion Engined (ICE) cars, so why can’t they dominate the markets with their electric cars too?
For some, the ID.4 may be too small. We suspect that they will launch a larger electric SUV in the future to cater to larger families. For now, though, the ID.4 is perfect for most families. It’s not as fast as the Tesla Model Y or as cool, but it’s not made for that. VW made the ID.4 to solve a purpose. Not everyone wants an electric car that does a crazy 0-60 or has a stupidly powerful onboard computer. Some people just want a comfortable electric car with decent range and decent space as well as a good safety rating.
What do we think of the ID.4 though? Why does it pave a new exciting path for VW? Well, let’s take a deeper look into it and why the ID.4 could do some serious damage to its competitors and the industry as a whole. Is this something that Tesla should worry about? Yes in a way because it is a serious competitor, but for one minute do not think that VW is on the road to “kill” Tesla. Their pathway is actually a positive for both brands since it increases innovation via competition and it gives people a wider choice. It also means that governments are going to take a deeper interest in electric cars and improve the infrastructure as a whole.
The ID.4 Is a Car For Everyone.
The ID.4 may be a family car, but ultimately it is a car for everyone. It isn’t sporty but it isn’t a bore either. It looks quite stylish inside and out, and it features all of the latest technology you need. Think of this car like a VW Golf. The Golf wasn’t designed for a specific customer base, and that’s evident by the diverse customer base. The Golf nowadays is a car that has a massive cult following worldwide. Will the ID.4 have that same following? Who knows. They probably will make a GTI version of it someday as that will bring them in extra money, but only time will tell.
The ID.4 comes in both RWD and 4WD setup. The RWD car has 201hp which is more than enough for most people. The AWD model has 302hp which is more than an MK7 VW Golf R. There will be a less powerful model coming in 2022 (which will be the $35,000 model). The current RWD model starts at just over $41,000 which is similar to the Nissan Ariya and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The range for the RWD will be 250 miles and the AWD model has a range of 310 miles.
Unlike those cars, the ID.4 is far simpler. It’s not as aggressive or as controversial as the Mustang Mach-E, nor is it as geeky as the Nissan Ariya. It’s fast enough, it looks decent and it has all the technology you need. The ID.4 isn’t trying to be this crazy car that everyone is talking about. It’s just a car that gets you from A to B, and believe it or not, this is what most people want. It’s not designed to excite the hearts of enthusiasts at all. Well, until they release a GTI model.
How Does It Pave a New Electric Pathway For VW?
The ID.4 paves a new electric pathway for VW. Why? Well, not only does it tick all the consumer boxes, but it also gives VW a platform that they can use for other cars. It allows the brand to invest more into electric cars and the technology which comes with them. This is across their whole network of brands, which makes them so much more competitive and valuable. For VW shareholders, this is good news as it means the company does have many opportunities to rise massively in value.
The ID.4 will allow VW to really make a name for themselves in the electric car world. For years and years, it has been Tesla who has dominated the electric car market, but the ID.4 is a car that could not only push VW to new heights, it also pushes the whole German car industry to new levels since VW is one of the most (if not the most) important brands in Germany.
The only issue with the ID.4 is that it is in a very competitive market. It has to be unique in order to sell and have an unfair advantage over the other cars. There is of course the branding and reputation. Despite the Dieselgate scandal, VW is still a highly regarded company with a large loyal customer base. The ID.4 will probably be purchased by many existing VW owners. But what about customers from other car brands?
The ID.4 has a few close competitors. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Nissan Ariya, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, the Hyundai Kona EV, and the Kia Niro EV. Those cars all have their own USP points, but can the VW beat them? The Mustang Mach-E has that style and appeal factor which the ID.4 could never have. It features the iconic Mustang name, which for car enthusiasts is a big bonus.
The Nissan Ariya is far better looking inside and out too. It has more technology inside and out, plus that interior is so much more interesting. The Ariya is a car that actually can compete with the likes of Tesla and Mercedes. The ID.4 on the other hand, isn’t. The Niro EV and the Kona EV are both ordinary ICE cars converted to run on electricity. They look far more ordinary than the ID.4 but they’re not as spacious. The Bolt EUV will attract a certain crowd but it isn’t attractive whatsoever. But the Bolt EUV does have a better driving position.
The ID.4 is the best for families. They advertise it more so as a family car and more of an overall car rather than a car that excells in some categories but fails in others.