VW ID 4, The Brands First All Electric SUV

Volkwagen is aiming for the newest member of their electric family to pierce straight into the heart of the EV market. With EV’s becoming less complex to the daily driver, VW expects the ID 4 to be just the thing to convince would-be conventional crossover shoppers to make the jump to EV life

If you have driven VW’s before, then the ID 4 will not be an alien world, it uses familiar architecture. It’s built on the same scalable MEB electric vehicle platform that underpins a range of Volkswagen Group EVs, with an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack beneath the floor. The first round of ID 4s will have a single motor mounted on the rear axle, delivering 201 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque.

Despite this rear-wheel-drive layout, the ID 4 is said to feel very compact at the rear and not tail-happy as was expected. It is said to be relatively slow too. Sure, as with any EV, the instant electric torque is great, and all 228 lb.-ft. are available the moment you hit the throttle.

The ID 4 uses front disc and rear drum brakes. And while the latter might seem a bit old-fashioned for a vehicle so forward-thinking, Volkswagen notes that drum brakes are actually better for long-term use in an EV, since the regenerative braking and front discs can do the heavy lifting most of the time.

From the driver’s seat, the ID 4 feels like any other Volkswagen crossover. It has a big center console between the two front seats, with plenty of room for drinks and a wireless phone charger. Headroom and shoulder room are said to be ample, as well, and while the ID 4 is smaller than a Tiguan on the outside, the two have similar interior dimensions. With its white surfaces and expansive windshield, the EV simply feels roomier.

And yes, it can charge from 0% to 80% in just under 40 minutes. The car will retail at $39,995. (4,338,868KSH)