Written by Marco Carvajal
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 the first VW electric AWD SUV
On my recent trip to Volkswagen’s car plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, I learned about the advanced manufacturing process for the new ID.4 the first all-electric AWD SUV from this prestigious German brand.
Why Volkswagen? Why the ID.4?
A brand like Volkswagen has the potential to become everyone’s car, and this is a key element to make the ID.4 the slow and silent competitor who can become huge from the morning to the night.
A very expensive and advanced electric car won’t be able to take over Tesla’s market share, we need a new electric brand, like Volkswagen, that everyone can buy.
More expensive and premium brands won’t be able to compete with pricing and value in front of Tesla’s lineup, but a brand like Volkswagen is ready to produce value cars with great quality that may displace tesla from the market. The new electric SUV ID.4 AWD is the end result that is already taking a huge percent of Tesla’s sales during recent months.
This is huge news, the arrival of the ID.4 Volkswagen’s first long-range electric SUV and now being manufactured in the United States.
“Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Volkswagen of America said: “Congrats to our team for demonstrating that EVs can stand up to extreme environments, and showing how fun electric vehicles can be. The ID.4 could definitely be the Baja Bug for the electric age.”
Volkswagen is ready to compete with Tesla. Not only producing the new ID.4, one of the best and more affordable new electric small SUVs in the market, but also offering a powerful all-wheel-drive version of this futuristic electric car.
German engineering known for quality and value can become one of Tesla’s best rivals
ID.4 can takeover Tesla’s Model Y customers
Tesla has been the iconic electric car in the United States for several years. It has been producing and marketing its cars in a unique and unconventional way, but there are many Tesla rivals coming out with new electric car models that can take Tesla off the market in the future. Volkswagen seems to be one of these quiet rivals that could eventually take a huge portion of Tesla’s market share.
Volkswagen is working hard to become one of the best EV suppliers. The first step into this ambitious project is the production of the ID.4, its four-door hatchback answer to Tesla’s Model Y, with a slightly shorter range and a cheaper price tag that could allow the ID.4 to compete against some of the most popular crossovers.
The ID.4 has excellent pricing to compete with Tesla’s Model Y, starting around $41,000 for the front-wheel-drive or around $43,000 for the all-wheel-drive version.
Another model that competes hard with the Model Y or the ID.4 is the Ford Mustang Mach-E starting around $43,000, but Volkswagen seems to be the biggest potential competitor of Tesla’s Model Y EV.
Customers who want to buy Tesla’s Model Y have a higher ticket price around $51,000 for the base model AWD.
Tesla is known for its large display that looks very futuristic and impressive, but it has the disadvantage that most vital information is all located in the same display, as opposed to the ID.4 that has a nice display in the center console but also has the traditional screen behind the steering wheel, something that is better for most drivers.
One big plus for the ID.4 is that it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, something that you will expect of any modern EV, but Tesla doesn’t support smartphone integration.
The ID.4 has less manual controls than other Volkswagen models but you still have some traditional controls and switches. However, Tesla doesn’t have manual controls, producing a very modern look but in your everyday experience it seems easier and more comfortable to have access to the ID.4’s manual controls.
EV competition is now a challenge for Tesla and also for new EV producers like Volkswagen. There are pros and cons with each car, only time will tell who is the real winner in this battle.
One might think of more expensive brands like Mercedes Benz or Lexus going after Tesla, with more potential to take a big portion of the electric car market, however, Volkswagen seems to be the winner auto-maker with more potential to takeover Tesla’s empire.
Volkswagen has a good approach producing the ID.4 with an easy-to-understand configuration with only 2 models and a very attractive low price.
A new way to purchase, reserve your ID.4 online and have it delivered from the VW factory to your local dealer
The ID.4 is an innovation, it represents a new concept for Volkswagen. Creating a new way to order is part of VW’s strategy to interact with electric car customers by providing a full online reservation experience.
Electric vehicles are transforming the way we drive and live, and parallel to this new trend, Volkswagen is evolving and creating a new way to sell vehicles. Volkswagen has reinvented the way of the typical vehicle buying process.
You can reserve and order your ID.4 online, then you’ll be able to view your configuration on “My ID.4 Reservation” and at participating ID.4 dealers. After ordering your ID.4 online, Volkswagen will keep you posted on your ID.4 and its journey to you through “My ID.4 Reservation”.
The first ID.4 units were made in Germany but due to the success of recent sales, now the ID.4 is being produced at the Volkswagen factory at Chattanooga, Tennesse. This new product will create new jobs and produce new income for several suppliers who are part of the key process in manufacturing the new ID.4 in the United States.
You can track your ID.4 car as it leaves the factory located in Chattanooga, Tennesse, and arrives at your local dealer.
ID.4 everyone’s car
The Volkswagen ID.4 is a city SUV with a very attractive design concept, flowing lines, and small crossover proportions. The ID.4 is ready to be everyone’s new electric car.
Electric mobility doesn’t have to be complex and very expensive, Volkswagen is producing a new electric car with value, great range, appealing design that drives and looks like the car of the new generation.
The basic configuration of the ID.4 is very complete and comes with 18-inch wheels, optionally available 19 and 21-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, rails for additional luggage, additional 3D LED rear lights, and several advanced great quality features. The new Volkswagen ID.4 SUV has been designed to simplify a driver’s life by creating an easy and enjoyable driving experience.
The ID.4 SUV is a unique car, just what customers are looking for. The exterior design is very clean with aerodynamic lines. The inside of this electric car has plenty of room for a spacious, comfortable cabin that will transform how you think about electric cars. But best of all, great performance, no limitations, great range, this is the way to create electric cars of the future.
Among fast success and recognition, the ID.4 EV was voted 2021 World Car of the Year by a jury of 93 distinguished international journalists from 28 countries.
The ID.4 is not a fast-designed car, it is the fruit of a team of Volkswagen experts and some former Tesla employees, that together have been able to produce a smart saving space architecture with a compact electric motor and the battery on the floor.
The driver and passengers of the VW ID.4 can enjoy a spacious interior with a high roof, raised seats, and a flat floor. The dimensions of the ID.4 are 4584 mm in length, 1852 mm in width, and 1636 mm in height. Spacious trunk volume, from 543 to 1575 liters. More than enough space for a compact city SUV.
Powertrain
Volkswagen is producing the new ID.4 using the advanced MEB architecture. The base primary electric motor is located in the rear of the car, just like the original classic Beetle. The motor is located above the rear axle, just in front of the centerline of the wheels, and transfers its torque to a two-stage single-speed gearbox. The engine is ideally placed for agile handling and traction. The ID.4 is so quiet that a synthetic sound is generated up to speeds of about 20 mph to aid pedestrian and cyclist awareness.
The ID.4 AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor puts out 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque that is available instantly. If you go for the ID.4 AWD it will add an asynchronous electric motor on the front axle. The front unit has a maximum output of 107 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque. Together, this AWD system has a maximum output of 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, impressive power for an electric compact SUV.
The chassis is designed with a large high-voltage battery located between the axles, lowering the center of gravity, the weight distribution is very close to 50:50 for a perfect balance. 3.5 turns lock-to-lock and a stellar curb-to-curb turning radius of 33.5 feet for the rear-wheel-drive model. The all-wheel-drive model has a tight turning radius of just 36.4 feet.
Trims and Pricing for the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD
Selecting and purchasing your ID.4 is an easy task, with just two trims to choose from, not many options, both trim models have been configured and designed to satisfy electric car drivers and buyers.
You can select the ID Pro or the ID Pro S, then you have a couple of packages to select and you are ready to go with the ultimate electric SUV that everyone can drive and enjoy. As opposed to Tesla the ID.4 is more friendly and easy to manage.
Packages and RWD (Rear-Wheel-Drive) or AWD (All-Wheel Drive) are some of the few options you can customize when buying this electric SUV, but that is part of the beauty of the buying process with the ID.4. It is easy, smart, and pre-configured for you, reserve online, receive your car and go on the road with one of the best new electric cars.
As usual with electric cars, there are several tax credits available that can reduce the cost of your ID.4
- ID.4 PRO AWD
$43,675 Starting MSRP
- PRO S AWD (STATEMENT)
$48,175 Starting MSRP
According to Volkswagen, the ID.4 is the most affordable AWD Electric Vehicle in the U.S.
The ID.4 keeps getting great feedback from car drivers and automobile journalists who enjoy and applaud the new all-electric ID.4 like the following comment:
“The Tesla experience in a Model Y is a bit cold with the giant screen and nothing else. The ID.4…felt more welcoming…and the interior features really make it stand out.” – Mashable
The ID.4 keeps becoming more successful and ready to compete with Tesla’s
Charging your ID.4
Electric cars are the future, but we still have a challenge when driving an electric car, where can we charge it? Yes, you can plug-in at home, you can find charging stations countrywide, but we still need more charging stations and this is a big element in the car buying decision.
One of the great incentives Volkswagen is offering to help you buy the ID.4 is to provide 3 years of free DC fast electric charging on every new ID.4 car.
249 miles Range
We often think that electric cars are limited due to their charging range. In the past, some electric cars offered a range of less than 70 miles but in today world’s electric batteries and electric engines keep improving to a point where your new ID.4 can drive up to 249 miles when fully charge. As technology advances, driving range will get extended.
Battery Warranty
When buying an electric car, you need to think about the long-term life and future replacement of your electric battery, as this is a key component of any electric car. The ID.4 offers a generous 8 year and 100,000 miles for the battery. This is a good warranty but there are other car manufacturers offering life-warranty in order to attract new car buyers.
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Highlights
- Black roof rails
- 19″ 5-spoke two-tone machined alloy wheels
- Hands-free Easy Open and Easy Close liftgate
- Driving Profile Selection
- EPA-estimated range of 260 miles for the ID.4 Pro and 249 miles for the ID.4 AWD Pro
- Panoramic fixed glass roof
- Park Distance Control (front and rear)
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- DC fast charging capability (up to 125kW)
- 110V charging cable
- High Beam Control (Light Assist)
- LED taillights
- Automatic Premium LED projector headlights w/ signature LED DRL and Coming/ Leaving Home function
- App-Connect with wireless capabilities
- 2 front USB data ports and 2 rear USB charging ports
- Dynamic Road Sign Display
- Volkswagen Car-Net
- Travel Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist
- System Horsepower: 295
- 339 lb-ft of torque
- 2,700 lb towing capacity
- Driver and front passenger, front and side thorax airbag supplemental restraint system
- Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution, and Electromechanical Brake Booster
- Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock, and Brake Assist System
Volkswagen ID.4 is an affordable all-wheel-drive electric vehicle
Volkswagen’s new ID.4 AWD electric SUV is another reason for Americans to embrace green driving. The SUV has two electric motors, maximum power of 295 horsepower, and an estimated acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.7 seconds for the AWD Pro model. In addition, the Volkswagen ID.4 AWD offers performance and all-weather starting MSRP traction that no other all-wheel-drive electric vehicle has.
Another advantage of the Volkswagen ID.4 is that drivers can decide for themselves how comfortable or sporty the ID.4 AWD should be. This can be changed by selecting the driving mode. The driving mode affects the weight of the steering, electric drive motors and also offers a choice of five modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Traction. The first Eco mode is designed for efficient driving. High driving comfort ensures a comfortable driving experience. Leaving the front motor on Sports mode adds excitement. Driving Custom Mode allows the driver to combine comfort and sport. This EV SUV is designed to ride on loose and slippery surfaces and provides permanent all-wheel drive at speeds up to 12 mph, this is possible using the Traction mode.
