I’m living with a Volkswagen ID4 for six month to see if it’s better than my old Tiguan
Car changing is a big deal
Global content director Iain Reid has just swapped his Volkswagen Tiguan for an ID4, and over the next six months he’s going to see if VW’s electric SUV is a better option.
Should I buy an electric car, or something petrol powered? It’s a question which thousands of car buyers are asking these days, myself included.
I’ve been toying with the idea of buying an electric car for a while now, so when my old Volkswagen Tiguan long term test car went back I decided to replace it with a Volkswagen ID4.
The ID4 is basically an electric Tiguan alternative, so I’m going to live with it for the next six months to see if an EV is the right way to go. I’ll compare it to my old Tiguan on comfort, practicality and running costs, and I’ll be documenting any problems I encounter along the way.
Volkswagen has also recently updated the ID4 with some new tech and a few design tweaks, so after three months I’ll be swapping into the newer version to see if the changes have improved things.
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Living with a Volkswagen ID4: an introduction to my new electric SUV
Let’s start by getting to know my new Volkswagen ID4. It’s a mid-spec Pro version with the basic 286hp electric motor powering the rear wheels. Volkswagen says it will do up to 347 miles on a charge, but I’ll see how close I can get to that figure in the real world.
As standard, the Pro gets adaptive cruise control, a 12.9-inch touchscreen with wireless phone mirroring, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, matrix LED headlights and 19-inch alloy wheels.
The dark blue paint and black roof are both no-cost options, and my car isn’t fitted with any optional extras. This means it costs £44,400 as tested. That’s around the same as the equivalent Skoda Enyaq or Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Living with a Volkswagen ID4: First impressions
I’ve had my ID4 for a few weeks now, and on first impressions it’s an adequate family SUV. I much prefer the smooth and silent power delivery of an EV compared to my old Tiguan, and it’s a comfy car around town as well.
That said, it’s not as striking to look at as the Tiguan. The styling is quite blobby and generic, and I don’t think the dark colour helps. There are brighter shades of blue and red available which liven it up a bit.
There’s bad news for our Labradoodle, Bonnie, as well, because her crate doesn’t fit in the ID4’s boot. Unlike the Tiguan, you can’t slide the rear seats forward to accommodate it, so we can’t take the dog without folding the seats down.
On the plus side, I’ve averaged 3.8 miles per kWh so far, which equates to just over 290 miles of real-world range – 84% of the claimed figure. That’s pretty good, but I’ll see if it can get any closer as I get more miles under my belt.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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