Review: 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S

Mid-cycle update brings more power, technology, and enhanced standard features that attempt to make the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S a better EV as the segment around it rapidly evolves and changes. 

The all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 crossover, first launched in 2021 with rear-wheel drive and then in 2023 with an all-wheel drive option, has had a mid-cycle update for 2024. The changes include more power, further driving range, an upgraded infotainment display, navigation, and other features that improve this mid-size SUV that is built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

But do these improvements finally allow the ID.4 to rise as a true top contender in the EV segment or is there still work to be done that clips the ID.4’s wings and prevents it from achieving its full potential?

2024 ID.4 Models

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 is available in these configurations 

ID.4 Standard and S: Single motor 

•  201 horsepower (hp) and 229 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque 
•  RWD 
• 62 kWh lithium-ion battery 
•  206 mile driving range 

ID.4 Pro and Pro S: Single motor 

• 282 hp and 402 lb-ft of torque 
• RWD 
• 82 kWh lithium-ion battery 
• 291 mile driving range

ID.4 Pro and Pro S Dual Motors

• 99 hp front motor; 402 lb-ft of torque rear motor 
• AWD ID.4 Pro and Pro S
•  82 kWh lithium-ion battery 
•  335 mile driving range 

 

Charging

All ID.4 models are charged through a plug-in port offering three charging speeds. Using an onboard 11 kW charger, there is a maximum charge rate of 175 kW for the 82 kWh battery, and 140 kW for the 62 kWh battery, with these charge times. 

• 120V (Level 1) 2 miles of charge per hour, or about 80 hours 
• 240V (Level 2) 8 hours for the 82 kWh battery; 6.15 hours for the 62 kWh battery 
• 480V DC Fast Charging 80% in 30 minutes or less 

The ID.4 Charging Plan+, utilizing the Electrify America app, gets 500 kWh of free charging at Electrify America’s DC fast charging network at over 900 stations and more than 4,000 chargers in North America. Additional charging is through regenerative braking that converts kinetic energy into electricity, when braking or coasting, and stores it in the battery. So driving around town, in stop-and-go rush hour freeway traffic, or coasting down hills will recharge the battery. 

The driving experience 

HLN drove the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S AWD with dual electric motors that produced a peppy 0 – 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. This is one second faster than the single motor rear-wheel drive ID.4 that clocks the same distance in 5.9 seconds. There are four driver-selectable drive modes of Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Custom. Eco mode is the most efficient driving but dumbs down the throttle response; Comfort (our go-to) provides both efficiency and good throttle feel; Sport adds more responsive steering and throttle response; and Custom provides a blend between Comfort and Sport. All-wheel-drive models offer Traction mode, which is intended for driving on loose or slippery surfaces and features permanent all-wheel drive up to speeds of around 12 mph. 

Utilizing the B drive setting gets the most aggressive motor regeneration, providing maximum battery recharging. The ID.4 does not have full one-pedal driving where it can be brought to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal, but will slow to about 1 -2 miles per hour. Once the brake pedal is applied, the car will remain in place via the Auto Hold feature. There are no steering wheel-mounted paddles to modulate and increase regeneration, only the B setting. This differs from most other EVs we have driven where there are commonly three levels which allows the driver to customize the regeneration to their driving style or road conditions. With the exception of coming to a full stop or in an emergency, it’s easy to not touch the brake pedal as using motor regeneration is the easiest, most convenient, and smoothest way to drive an electric car. 

 Cruising the open road 

The ID.4 AWD Pro S cruised at or above highway speeds with confidence, passing big rigs was not an issue thanks to the instant torque at any speed. When approaching a high or slow speed corner, the turn-in was predictable as the AWD system offered assurance of good grip. On the most aggressive corners, you can feel the 4,907 pound curb weight shifting ever-so-slightly, but the suspension has been designed to manage that behavior and continue tracking through the corner. 

The low center of gravity, when combined with the 1,105 pound batteries being located under the seats, helped create a sure-footed driving experience with neutral handling coming from the electric rack-and-pinion power steering. The ID.4 AWD Pro S has a generally comfortable ride that takes all but the largest bumps in stride, which can produce a choppy feel. The steering is a bit light for highway speeds but is welcome for the impressive 36.4 foot turning radius (31.5 feet for the RWD models) that made U-turns easy. Overall, the ID.4 AWD is easy and a pleasure to drive, but should not be considered a sports crossover. The ID.4 AWD has standard ABS and power-assisted front vented and rear solid discs. Handling and driving confidence were also aided by the standard electronic stability control, electronic brake-pressure distribution, and brake assist. 

Euro design

There are subtle exterior differences between the models, AWD badges on the front fenders differentiate the ID.4 RWD and AWD models, and for the keen of eye, there is 0.7 inches of higher ground clearance for the ID.4 AWD Pro. 

Both have a classic German design with sleek LED projector headlights, located on the outer fender edges, which are connected by a signature LED light bar intersected by the lighted VW logo. The faux grille making up the lower fascia has a diamond pattern which Volkswagen says helps with air flow and aerodynamics producing a respectable 0.28 drag coefficient. The ID.4 has a short hood compared to its competitors, resulting in there not being a front trunk, or frunk. The rear power hatch has LED tail lights connected by another light bar, which looks sharp and is standard on the S models. 

Comfort and tech 

The interior of the ID.4 AWD Pro S is airy, modern, futuristic, and could even be considered sparse. Large windows and the panoramic glass roof, with a power sunshade, make for a bright cabin. Seats are covered in V-Tex leatherette, a synthetic leather that is softer, warmer, and lasts longer than leather. The heated and ventilated front seats have 12-way power adjustments that include 4-way lumbar, massage, and memory. The second row easily accommodates two adults, three in a pinch, with the outer rear seats heated and two, convenient USB charge-only ports. Cargo space is generous with 30.3 cubic feet capacity when the 60:40 folding rear seat is up, then expands to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. For additional storage space, the rear floor in the cargo area can be removed revealing a well for storing, among other things, the charging cord. 

The ID.4 being electric means you don’t start and stop it, but more like a computer, it is powered up and down. Slide into the driver seat and the dash comes to partial life, pressing the brake pedal completes the dash read-outs. The ID.4 is now ready to drive by turning the right stalk up for D (drive) and B (brake) for forward, or rolling the stalk back for R (reverse.) When it is time to exit, press the button on the end of the stalk for P (park) to set the parking brake, and then slide off the seat, and the ID.4 powers down. 

Sounds and information 

The 2024 ID.4 has a 5.3-inch driver digital display, that shows the state of charge, driving range, navigation, and driving data, is attached to the steering column as opposed to being placed in the dash. This location positions this vital information in the driver’s line of vision, eliminating the need for a Head-up display. 

A 12.9-inch color infotainment screen, standard on the 82 kWh models, has an improved operation system. However, some of the haptic controls can be frustrating, and the artist information not being displayed when selecting a preset radio station but needing to push another button on the screen, is odd. A 12.0-inch infotainment screen is standard on the 62 kWh battery models. The 7-speaker sound system has FM/HD radio, SiriusXM (90-day trial), and voice control, but no AM radio. The App-Connect provides smartphone integration as well as access to controlling many functions on the ID.4 such as avoiding traffic jams, pre-heating the interior, listening to podcasts and connecting to Internet Radio. 

There are set voice commands “Hello, ID” or “Hello IDA” or you can create your own in the Settings menu. Additional convenience features include 30-color ambient lighting, multifunction leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, front row USB-C data ports, dual-zone automatic climate system with air filtration, fixed glass moon roof, and an illuminated carpeted cargo area with a 12-volt outlet. 

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Safety

All 2024 Volkswagen ID.4s come with IQ.Drive which includes ADAS, or advanced driver assistance systems, such as forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking with front pedestrian detection, active side assist blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, lane assist, adaptive cruise control w/ Stop & Go, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. IQ.Drive also allows the driver to remove their hands for a few seconds and the ID.4 will steer itself. This is not a fully automated driving system but a taste of what is to come. The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 has a 5-Star safety rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), their Top Safety Pick. The US Government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it their highest rank of a Five Star rating. 

Pricing

There are eight 2024 ID. models, with these prices including the mandatory $1,425 destination fee. The ID.4 qualifies for federal and state credits, and in some states, is eligible for a HOV sticker. Always speak with your tax advisor before purchasing any EV. 

Rear Wheel Drive – all with the 62 kWh battery 

• Standard $40,420
• S $45,420

Rear Wheel Drive – all with the 82 kWh battery 

• Pro $45,420
• Pro S $50,420
• Pro S Plus $52,870

All-wheel Drive – all with the 82 kWh battery 

• Pro $49,220
• Pro S $54,220
• Pro S Plus $56,670

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 comes with these warranties:

• New Vehicle 4 years/50,000 miles
• High Voltage Battery 8 years/100,000 miles
• Scheduled Maintenance 2 years/20,000 miles
•  Roadside Assistance: 3 years/36,000 miles
• Corrosion Perforation: 7 years/100,000 miles

Observations: 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S

There is nothing like the feeling and sensation of driving an electric vehicle. If you are not familiar with it, make sure your Volkswagen dealer sales representative knows you are an EV newbie and lets you take a lengthy test drive. Once around the block will not be enough so request (demand) getting on the highway to fully experience the acceleration, handling, and ride. The 2024 ID.4 with more powerful motors and a revised touchscreen should earn it a place on your shopping list as it is a comfortable well designed compact SUV family vehicle. With tight handling, the spirited all-electric driving experience lives up to Volkswagen’s German heritage. The four-door ID.4 is solidly built, is efficient, charges at a quick pace, and comes with complementary free fast charging. But with rivals from Tesla, Hyundai, and Kia increasing the amount of range and performance that their EVs bring, the ID.4 will eventually need a more extensive revamp to help put it on par with many of its peers. 

 

John Faulkner is Road Test Editor at Clean Fleet Report. He has more than 30 years’ experience branding, launching, and marketing automobiles. He has worked with General Motors (all Divisions), Chrysler (Dodge, Jeep, Eagle), Ford and Lincoln-Mercury, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Toyota on consumer events and sales training programs. His interest in automobiles is broad and deep, beginning as a child riding in the back seat of his parent’s 1950 Studebaker. He is a journalist member of the Motor Press Guild and Western Automotive Journalists.