Volkswagen ID.4 SUV - Range, charging & running costs

​​The ID.4 is underpinned by the same MEB platform as the ID.3 hatchback, albeit stretched to suit its bigger proportions. Battery sizes are 52kWh and 77kWh, with the larger size fitted as standard on the higher spec models, namely the Family, Max, GTX and 1st Edition launch car.

Volkswagen ID.4 range & charging

The largest pack is capable of an official range of up to 326 miles from a single charge in the ID.4 Life Edition Pro Performance, which just exceeds the 312 miles offered by the Volvo XC40 Recharge. We managed around 235 miles in a 1st Edition version on a cold day, while the trip computer's predicted range appeared to drop at the same rate as the miles driven.

The ID.4 GTX has an official range of 307 miles, but the range we had when we tested the car in colder temperatures was around 230 miles, while warmer weather increased this to 262 miles.

In cheaper versions with the 52kWh battery fitted, the car's official range figure drops to 222-223 miles depending on the trim level.

Charging up using the 7.2kW wallbox that most owners will have at home takes around 12 hours, and should cost just over £10, depending on the tariff. The ID.4 also has 135kW charging capacity, so if you can find a fast enough charger, it can be replenished by almost 200 miles in half an hour. The Volvo gets 150kW charging as standard but is a more expensive car to buy in the first place, however, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 costs less and charges at up to 232kW. During our time with the GTX model, we found that a 20-minute charge added around 90 miles of range when using a rapid charger at motorway services.

Like other electric models, the ID.4 is more expensive to buy than a petrol or diesel equivalent but you start saving money as soon as you own it. There's VED (road tax) exemption and free entry into low emissions zones like the ULEZ boundary in London. Company-car drivers also stand to save money, because Benefit-in-Kind tax is far cheaper for zero-emission models. 

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Insurance groups

Unfortunately, insurance groups tend to be higher for upmarket, electric models. The 77kWh Life Edition Pro Performance sits in group 27 out of 50 but this is competitive in its class, with the Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range in group 37 – considerably higher than a Ford Kuga, which is in groups 10 to 21. 

Warranty

The Volkswagen ID.4 is covered by the brand's standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty, however, early EV adopters will be reassured that the battery gets a longer, eight-year/100,000-mile period of cover. Some buyers have been put off buying an electric car because of the unknown reliability of batteries and the fact they make up such a large proportion of an electric vehicle's value.

Servicing

Electric vehicles don't require as much maintenance as their petrol, diesel or hybrid counterparts. There's no oil or spark plugs for a start, and no clutch or cambelt to replace. However, they do still require some work to ensure the braking system, climate control and other systems are maintained and functioning correctly, so Volkswagen requires owners to service the ID.4 every two years, with no mileage cap between visits.