Volkswagen ID.4 SUV - Interior & comfort

Like the ID.3, Volkswagen's all-electric SUV has a minimalist interior, with very few physical buttons or knobs. Yet, the ID.4 is clearly also meant to be a touch more upmarket, so there are some more premium materials in the mix. Being high in the range, the 1st Edition also benefits from luxuries like a panoramic sunroof that floods the interior with light, attractive seats with integrated headrests and an augmented reality head-up display that provides useful navigation instructions.

Volkswagen ID.4 dashboard

There are some cheap plastics that hint at efforts to cut cost and possibly weight, but they aren't quite as obvious. What is unfortunately still an issue, is the confusing software for the infotainment display, which measures either 10- or 12-inches in size. Even some simple tasks are now buried deep in confusing menus, and it's hard to feel it is anything but a step backwards for a manufacturer that's previously led the field in logically designed dashboards. 

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Equipment

Life trim kicks off the standard range, featuring LED headlights, 10-colour ambient lighting, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, sat-nav, adaptive cruise control and all-round parking sensors. It should also enamour the ID.4 to owners in winter, thanks to a heated windscreen, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, along with dual-zone climate control.

Upgrading to the Style trim adds adaptive headlights, an illuminated strip across the car's nose, privacy glass and animated rear lights. There's also triple-zone climate control, keyless entry and go, a rear-view camera and boot with a variable height floor and luggage nets.

The ID.4 Family is only available with the 77kWh battery, so there's a significant increase in price from the Style trim. It's fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging and ambient lighting with 30 colours, along with adaptive lighting, a panoramic sunroof and heated surfaces for the interior. The range-topping ID.4 Max brings technology like a 12-inch central display, an augmented reality head-up display, adjustable suspension and sports front seats.

As you'd expect for a performance model, the ID.4 GTX gets a makeover inside too. There are stainless steel pedals, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, fabric sports seats with red stitching, blue contrasting trim inserts on the dashboard and door cards, and a 30-colour ambient lighting setup. Stepping up to the GTX Max trim adds “ArtVelours” microfleece interior trim, a panoramic glass roof, three-zone climate control and a heat pump that helps optimise battery life when using the car in colder weather. It also features VW’s Dynamic chassis control setup with adaptive suspension, which is adjusted according to the driving model selected.

When the ID.4 was launched in the UK, it was available for a short period in the 1st Edition trim. This model boasted a vast list of standard equipment including 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a rear-view camera, all-round parking sensors, heated seats and steering wheel, a 10-inch infotainment display with navigation and adaptive cruise control.

Options

If you pick a lower trim level, it's possible to bolster its equipment level by adding packs of extras. This includes the Assistance Pack Plus, adding a 360-degree camera view, powered tailgate, illuminated door handles, keyless entry and safety features for just over £2,000. The Infotainment Pack Plus includes an augmented reality head-up display, Discover Navigation Pro and a 12-inch infotainment display for £2,200. Additional packs can also alter the car's design and even how it feels to drive.