Can Volkswagen make a top-tier EV? Porsche has shown it’s certainly capable of producing cool, emission-free vehicles — the Taycan Cross Turismo with its Off-Road Design Pack makes that clear — but what about something for the masses? Can Volkswagen really get a “people’s EV” rolling out of the factory?
The answer is partially yes. VW toyed with the idea of building and selling EVs more than 30 years ago, with around 120 staffers behind the wheel of Golf CityStromers. But like General Motors, the auto giant has given up on the idea of providing zero-emission mobility for everyone.
Only after Tesla proved that battery electric vehicles could be popular (and profitable!) did VW and GM finally decide to jump in. Indeed, the German auto conglomerates got a push to move in the right direction after Dieselgate, which also led to the birth of the Electrify America DC charging network.
In late 2019, the VW ID.3, with its plump, or maybe chubby, Golf-like appearance, was introduced to the European and Chinese markets. A year later, the ID.4 crossover eSUV joined VW’s family of fully electric vehicles and debuted in North America. Last year, the brand sold about 38,000 ID.4s in the U.S., which is not bad. But compared to the performance of Tesla’s Model Y, the ID.4 seems less popular. The world’s most valuable automaker sold more than 10 times as many Model Ys as VW’s ID.4.
At the time of writing, VW sells three EVs in the US: the ID.4, ID.7 and ID. Buzz. The ID.4 was updated earlier this year with a slightly larger battery and stronger rear motor. The most affordable ID.4 is the “standard” version, which has an MSRP of $39,735 excluding delivery charges. It has an EPA-rated range of 206 miles (332 km) and is powered by a single 201-horsepower motor on the rear axle. The high-voltage battery with pouch cells has a total energy content of 62 kW (100 hp). Kilowatt hoursOf that, 58 kWh is usable.
Photo: Volkswagen
Numbers to remember
The most expensive ID.4 currently on sale is $53,875 excluding freight and extra options. It has all-wheel drive and 335 horsepower, but only a slightly longer range of 263 miles (423 kilometers). The battery is also slightly larger; it has 82 kWh of energy, of which 77 kWh is actually used. The remaining 5 kWh acts as a buffer.
The yet-to-be-refreshed Tesla Model Y has a starting price of $44,990, which gets buyers the tried-and-true rear-wheel drive 340-horsepower engine. EV It has a range of 320 miles (515 km), a 75 kWh usable battery with cylindrical cells with nickel-cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) cathodes, and a front trunk. Believe it or not, VW designed an EV from the ground up and didn’t have a front trunk.
The Model Y is slightly more expensive than the ID.4, and even though both are fully eligible for the federal EV tax credit, the former is the clear winner in this comparison. Apart from not being associated with Elon Musk, there’s really nothing favoring the VW EV. But you could make the argument that you shouldn’t choose your next new car based on what the company’s CEO posts on social media.
But let’s say you’re looking for an affordable, gently used, zero-emission vehicle that can serve as your commuter vehicle for a few years. Why not check out a used VW ID.4? After all, they’re very good crossover SUVs.
Photo: Volkswagen
Don’t worry, you don’t have to search right away, we’ve done it for you!
Best bargain ever?
In 2021, the entry-level ID.4 had a starting price of $41,200, while the most expensive version had an MSRP of almost $46,000. Today, you can get it for more than 50% off. In a way, it’s following in the footsteps of Audi’s e-tron. SUV It’s now incredibly cheap, but still not as affordable as a second-hand ID.4.
A look at the most popular used car sales platforms revealed an ID.4 for sale for just $14,900. Granted, the unit has nearly 108,000 miles and has been on the market for more than two months. But market trends don’t lie: people don’t want used EVs. Most fear they might have to replace the high-voltage battery, which is known to cost more than $20,000. Some enquirers received quotes of nearly $30,000 for a new energy storage unit, including labor costs.
ID.4s with more than 100,000 miles on the clock won’t qualify for the free battery replacement because VW limits the warranty period to eight years or 100,000 miles, so it’s important to be aware of this before buying a used ID.4.
Another ID.4, listed for sale for $17,450, has just 15,000 miles but has been in two accidents.
Photo: TrueCar.com
The cleanest ID.4 we could find was a rear-wheel-drive Pro S unit with just 80,000 miles and a (reasonable) MSRP of $17,700.
So, what’s the secret to these units?
While some have shady records, most are sold so cheaply because dealers include a $4,000 tax credit for used EVs in the price. The US government wants to extend the life of EVs, so it gives qualified buyers the money to buy them on the used market. This makes EVs as environmentally friendly as possible, reducing the need for raw materials needed for new EVs. It also allows high-voltage batteries, which contain critical minerals, to be used for a long time before they need to be reused or recycled.
But if you don’t care about sustainability and just want a car that gets you wherever you need to be, the ID.4 is a solid choice, new or used. It has plenty of power for the average driver, is spacious inside, has a CCS port so you can easily charge it anywhere, has a good suspension, and the software is fine after VW updated the interface.
But perhaps the car’s biggest drawback is that it’s not as good an EV as the Tesla Model Y. You’ll need to plan long trips in advance and rely on Waze, Google Maps, or PlugShare to ensure you get to the next charging station.
Finally, you could also ignore the used VW ID.4 all together and buy a super cheap, brand new Nissan Leaf. In some states, leasing is around $20/month. It’s not a great EV, but it will get you from point A to point B with minimal running costs. You might not even need to change your tires before the lease is up. And if you can charge it at home or work, why hesitate?
