When the Volkswagen ID 4 was first launched, it withstood severe criticism for a wide range of causes, however the one function that everybody appeared to have a hatred for was its infotainment system, with a particular deluxe degree of disdain for the automotive’s unilluminated touch-sensitive local weather management and quantity sliders.
To handle the infinite complaints, Volkswagen is updating the ID 4 Pro fashions with a brand new infotainment system for 2024, plus extra energy, extra vary and a handful of latest options. Sadly, these adjustments are solely reserved for the higher-end Pro fashions of the ID 4 with the bigger battery pack, which implies the cheaper ID 4 Standard is caught with the crappy outdated infotainment, slower motors and fewer vary. So a lot for being the People’s Car.
Full disclosure: Volkswagen invited me out to Pasadena to drive its newly up to date ID 4 on the legendary Angeles Crest Highway. I solely acquired to spend a number of hours with the automotive, so my impressions come from a really brief drive that passed off throughout a vivid and sunny Los Angeles day.
The ID 4 Pro fashions are fitted with an 82-kWh battery pack, the identical as earlier than, however with a brand new, extra highly effective rear drive motor. Rear-wheel-drive ID 4 Pros now have 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, up from 201 hp and 229 lb-ft (the numbers that the Standard automotive nonetheless will get). All-wheel-drive ID 4 Pros have 335 hp, a reasonable improve from the earlier mannequin’s 295 hp, however VW hasn’t launched a closing torque determine. The new ID 4 Pro AWD can go from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.9 seconds, virtually a full second faster than final yr’s finest effort.
Driving the up to date ID 4 is a nice expertise. The automotive I get to pilot and be passenger in is an ID 4 Pro S RWD, the mid-range configuration with the brand new motor that gives the longest potential most vary within the lineup at an underwhelming EPA-rated 291 miles, a slight improve from 275 miles in final yr’s mannequin. AWD ID 4 Pros get a bump from 255 to 263 miles. I don’t have anyplace close to sufficient time to check the vary, however I do get to take it by a few of California’s finest mountain roads, which is definitely form of enjoyable. The upgraded motor supplies ample energy and the form of electrical punch I need, after I need it. The steering is devoid of really feel and actually gentle, however the rack is fast sufficient to maintain me from tangling my arms when going round hairpins. Considering that the ID 4 is a household crossover, it handles fairly nicely and feels far more playful than the Chevrolet Blazer EV RS.
There are not any drive modes other than a “B” mode for regenerative braking which solely affords one depth. Though it’s not highly effective sufficient for one-pedal driving, it’s a easy system that does its job nicely. The precise brake really feel is mildly disconcerting, although — it appears like I’m pushing the brake pedal on a automotive with exceedingly worn brakes. The rear suspension additionally feels a bit bouncy to me, with extra rebound from highway imperfections than desired, but it surely’s not a dealbreaker.
Despite having restructured menus and a bigger 12.9-inch display screen, the brand new infotainment system remains to be unnecessarily convoluted, and the larger display screen doesn’t use its further area significantly nicely. Menus take up your entire display screen, inflicting your route steering to vanish do you have to wish to select a brand new radio station or change your local weather management settings. A bigger display screen ought to imply extra space, so I want VW added some menu pop-outs as a substitute of creating each little motion require your entire 12.9-inch display screen.
I don’t get a correct probability to expertise the newly backlit slider controls, that are nonetheless mounted instantly under the touchscreen. I do undergo a number of tunnels and overpasses that permit me to see the illumination, however they appear disappointingly dim. Maybe that’s for the higher so that they don’t blind the occupants at night time, however I’m not very impressed.
The inside pleasantly muffles wind and highway noise, however there’s an excessive amount of scratchy plastic, particularly contemplating the excessive costs of higher ID 4 trims. Another change VW made with this replace was shifting the gear selector from the gauge cluster encompass into the right-side steering wheel stalk. Unlike different lengthy cumbersome gear selector stalks that protrude from steering columns, like what you get in a GM truck, the ID 4’s doesn’t really transfer. Instead, it’s a Bop-It fashion selector the place you twist the selector away to pick out drive and twist it in the direction of you to pick out reverse. I discover it to be bizarre at first, but it surely falls near your hand and an proprietor will get used to it fairly rapidly.
Other new additions embody normal 20-inch wheels and non-compulsory 21s on S fashions, obtainable ventilated entrance seats, and a newly non-compulsory Harman Kardon sound system with 9 audio system, an amp and a sub that my check automotive sadly doesn’t have.
For 2024 the ID 4 receives a value improve too, so the most cost effective new ID 4 you should buy now prices $41,160 after vacation spot. A Pro S RWD like I drove passes the $45k mark, whereas the bottom value of the very best trim degree, the Pro S Plus AWD, begins at over $58,000, which is a large sum of cash, although it fortunately is eligible for the complete federal EV tax credit score. The 2024 ID 4’s elevated energy is enjoyable, its improved tech is a glacial crawl in the suitable path, and the higher vary ought to ease nervous EV adopters. It’s only a disgrace the ID 4’s upgrades are restricted to the pricier variations.
Source: jalopnik.com