3 weeks in with ID.4
Posted: Thu May 13, 2021 4:09 pm
I like the car, but there are a couple of major concerns (first 2 points) and some niggles, which VW need to address.
I've fed most of this back to VW directly and sharing here:
1. Vehicle range is stated as WLTP 310 miles. My son has a Tesla model 75D with 75 kWh battery. His 3 year driving average mileage is 240 miles. I expected similar from ID.4. So far, I am getting nowhere near this. My first long journey returned an estimate of around 178 miles for 77 kWh charge. This was way down on my expectations and meant the car seemed unsuitable for our use. My VW dealership tried to help, though even their (loaned) ID.4 demonstrator shows a return of 216 miles for a full charge. I am still investigating issue, but it seems you cannot put climate control on the car, without serious repercussions on range. Realistically, I now think 240 miles might be an achievable average, but cold weather seems a major drain.
2. We Connect app has been a nightmare. After 3 weeks of trying many different things, by myself and dealer, the app only worked when country set to Germany. Now it's working, the support team wanted me to delete and restart everything (yet again). They have only just acknowledged my complaint to them and I'm losing patience with them.
3. I didn't know the vehicle was RWD and winter performance now looms as a concern for me. Past experience with BMW's fuel my concern. It was my mistake, but I'd assumed it was AWD and was too far into purchase, when I learned. Disadvantages of no brochure!
4. There is button space for a powered boot, but no powered boot. This is very annoying, as it is needed.
5. I was hoping for a panoramic roof, but this was not an option on 1st. Disappointing it was not standard fit - as I believe it is on other countries 1st models.
6. No mobile phone charge pad. It seems backward to revert back to a charging lead. Why?
7. Hugely disappointed there is no front boot. It would seem that through better design there should be. This could have (at least) stored charging cables, to avoid emptying boot, for underfloor access.
8. The printed owner manual with car is small and not very helpful. Many of the Infotainment screens are not described, or explained. Couldn't VW at least provide a quick start document to help get key basics explained?
9. Lots of other little niggles, like felt in front side bins, but not rear. Why no rear boot flat-loading option. The front/rear drivers side control has an annoying switch to toggle front/rear window control - better to have 4 buttons (front/rear). The UK boxed "gift" was poor. Lots of examples of penny pinching on such an important model for VW.
I really like the car and can see the huge potential, but feel the UK 1st model have been obviously down-specified and this reflects badly on VW.
For me, vehicle range remains a major concern and one which VW need to address. However, it is a very well built, solid and comfortable car. As long as you're aware of some limitations going in, you'll be pretty impressed. EV's are becoming mainstream.
I've fed most of this back to VW directly and sharing here:
1. Vehicle range is stated as WLTP 310 miles. My son has a Tesla model 75D with 75 kWh battery. His 3 year driving average mileage is 240 miles. I expected similar from ID.4. So far, I am getting nowhere near this. My first long journey returned an estimate of around 178 miles for 77 kWh charge. This was way down on my expectations and meant the car seemed unsuitable for our use. My VW dealership tried to help, though even their (loaned) ID.4 demonstrator shows a return of 216 miles for a full charge. I am still investigating issue, but it seems you cannot put climate control on the car, without serious repercussions on range. Realistically, I now think 240 miles might be an achievable average, but cold weather seems a major drain.
2. We Connect app has been a nightmare. After 3 weeks of trying many different things, by myself and dealer, the app only worked when country set to Germany. Now it's working, the support team wanted me to delete and restart everything (yet again). They have only just acknowledged my complaint to them and I'm losing patience with them.
3. I didn't know the vehicle was RWD and winter performance now looms as a concern for me. Past experience with BMW's fuel my concern. It was my mistake, but I'd assumed it was AWD and was too far into purchase, when I learned. Disadvantages of no brochure!
4. There is button space for a powered boot, but no powered boot. This is very annoying, as it is needed.
5. I was hoping for a panoramic roof, but this was not an option on 1st. Disappointing it was not standard fit - as I believe it is on other countries 1st models.
6. No mobile phone charge pad. It seems backward to revert back to a charging lead. Why?
7. Hugely disappointed there is no front boot. It would seem that through better design there should be. This could have (at least) stored charging cables, to avoid emptying boot, for underfloor access.
8. The printed owner manual with car is small and not very helpful. Many of the Infotainment screens are not described, or explained. Couldn't VW at least provide a quick start document to help get key basics explained?
9. Lots of other little niggles, like felt in front side bins, but not rear. Why no rear boot flat-loading option. The front/rear drivers side control has an annoying switch to toggle front/rear window control - better to have 4 buttons (front/rear). The UK boxed "gift" was poor. Lots of examples of penny pinching on such an important model for VW.
I really like the car and can see the huge potential, but feel the UK 1st model have been obviously down-specified and this reflects badly on VW.
For me, vehicle range remains a major concern and one which VW need to address. However, it is a very well built, solid and comfortable car. As long as you're aware of some limitations going in, you'll be pretty impressed. EV's are becoming mainstream.