[bwid.4]

Please tell us about the sound system. There has not been much written about it.

 

[RobertS]

Welcome to the forum @ChadKirchner! Thanks a lot for doing this!

When you were driving the ID.4 what kind of range/mileage were you able to get. Were you able to actually get the EPA-estimated 250 miles of range?

 

[terasain]

Please tell us about the sound system. There has not been much written about it.

+1

 

[Timbobh]

How well did the IQ Drive package function in your opinion?

 

[ChadKirchner]

Please tell us about the sound system. There has not been much written about it.

The sound system is pretty solid. I used a wireless Car Play connection to utilize my Tidal subscription. Good sound reproduction, the bass doesn't get too splat-y. It's not the best system I've heard, but it is better than what is in the standard Tesla by a ton. It also goes pretty loud, even on a phone call, which I appreciate.

 

[ChadKirchner]

Welcome to the forum @ChadKirchner! Thanks a lot for doing this!

When you were driving the ID.4 what kind of range/mileage were you able to get. Were you able to actually get the EPA-estimated 250 miles of range?

I live in northern Ohio and the ambient temps during my loan never really exceeded 40 degrees. The ID.4 does not have a heat pump for cabin heat. What I will say is I was averaging about 2.5 miles per kWh, which isn't as efficient as it could be, but I don't think it's a deal breaker. One thing I did appreciate is the miles-to-empty indicator appeared to be quite accurate in its estimations. I was only able to get one full charge, and it shortly after it was delivered. The computer indicated 220 miles. But that feels in the ballpark based on how other EVs report in those temps.

 

[Craig063]

Thanks Chad, solid review. I wanted to ask about the ride position For the seats. I’ve had several SUVs over the years and am currently driving a Golf Sportwagen. While I like it fine, I definitely prefer a slightly higher seating position for visibility.

Also, how big is that spacer under the hood of the car? Looks like they probably could have put a frunk in the size of the one in the Ioniq 5 if they wanted. Not a big deal, just curious. Thanks!

 

[ChadKirchner]

How well did the IQ Drive package function in your opinion?

IQ Drive is quite excellent, and I mean that. The Travel Assist setting one the cruise control does lane centering and adaptive cruise - quite similar to how the base Autopilot setup works. Except it doesn't beep as much at you. It also re-engages after a lane change which base Autopilot doesn't do. While I didn't get a chance to drive it a TON, I did a couple hundred highway miles and it didn't fault at all.

The instrument cluster will even show you the vehicles around you, which is a neat touch that reminds me of the Tesla experience.

Bonus points for absolutely huge wing mirrors. Normally on these cars the mirrors are tiny for aero purposes. This actually feels like, you know, a car. I appreciate that.

 

[ChadKirchner]

Thanks Chad, solid review. I wanted to ask about the ride position For the seats. I’ve had several SUVs over the years and am currently driving a Golf Sportwagen. While I like it fine, I definitely prefer a slightly higher seating position for visibility.

Also, how big is that spacer under the hood of the car? Looks like they probably could have put a frunk in the size of the one in the Ioniq 5 if they wanted. Not a big deal, just curious. Thanks!

I typically put my seat on the floor (5'10") as I like the lower position. I found that actually to be too low for my comfort in ID.4 because the dash is quite expansive. The instrument cluster moves with the steering wheel, so you can always see it no matter what angle you have it at. I had a ton of headroom even with my seat up, and the seat will go higher. VW said in its briefing that it wanted people to come from an SUV to feel comfortable. I think you would.

Rear seat access is also excellent.

 

[ChadKirchner]

Thanks Chad, solid review. I wanted to ask about the ride position For the seats. I’ve had several SUVs over the years and am currently driving a Golf Sportwagen. While I like it fine, I definitely prefer a slightly higher seating position for visibility.

Also, how big is that spacer under the hood of the car? Looks like they probably could have put a frunk in the size of the one in the Ioniq 5 if they wanted. Not a big deal, just curious. Thanks!

I realize I didn't answer your space question. It's pretty tiny. I wish there was a frunk, because this platform was designed from the ground up to be an EV. But cabin space is good so maybe they had to make a sacrifice for that?

 

[Timbobh]

It looks like you maybe didn't have snow during your test, but any insight into how the RWD will perform in wintery conditions?

 

[Michael SD]

Really appreciate you joining the forum to answer questions- thank you! I was also curious about the seating position. As a tall 6’2” guy, I’m coming from a sedan (Honda Clarity) where my knees are up at almost chest level. Not so comfortable. I have back problems so I use a lumbar cushion for added support. I even added a seat cushion to give me a little more height. My hope is that the lumbar support in the ID4 will be sufficient and that my knees won’t be up at chest level. What’s your take?

 

[styoder]

Was it the pre-production journalist demo? Did it have the latest software and was the screen laggy? I have see reports where certain areas of the software was laggy almost unusable. What was you experience? Do you know if OTA updates have been enabled yet? What was the acceleration like? I realize it is an SUV and not expecting the much, but in that context (ie SUV) is it fun to drive? Will be doing a test driving a Mach E and Model Y this Saturday and ID.4 (when the demo arrives) any suggestions as to what to test / review?

 

[ChadKirchner]

It looks like you maybe didn't have snow during your test, but any insight into how the RWD will perform in wintery conditions?

Unfortunately the foot of snow melted just a day or two before delivery! lol

I have a driving road that I know well that I can attack "aggressively" and the traction control was quick to intervene when it detected lightening or spinning of a rear wheel. I'd say it would probably do reasonably well. Our M3 SR+ does reasonably well in the snow as a RWD vehicle.

If I were to do the AWD, it'd be for the extra power and not for the extra traction. I'd try the RWD on the stock tires in the snow and then if it wasn't good enough I'd get a set of Blizzacks and call it a day.

 

[ChadKirchner]

Really appreciate you joining the forum to answer questions- thank you! I was also curious about the seating position. As a tall 6’2” guy, I’m coming from a sedan (Honda Clarity) where my knees are up at almost chest level. Not so comfortable. I have back problems so I use a lumbar cushion for added support. I even added a seat cushion to give me a little more height. My hope is that the lumbar support in the ID4 will be sufficient and that my knees won’t be up at chest level. What’s your take?

There's a ton on lumbar adjustment, including height. I'm not a small human (re: fat) and combined with my height I felt like I had a ton of room. I do wish there was some additional thigh support but I found the seats overall comfortable. Tons of head room so while I can't say for certain, I feel like you could find a reasonably comfortable driving position.

 

[Timbobh]

What's your favorite thing about the car? Least favorite?

 

[ChadKirchner]

Was it the pre-production journalist demo? Did it have the latest software and was the screen laggy? I have see reports where certain areas of the software was laggy almost unusable. What was you experience? Do you know if OTA updates have been enabled yet? What was the acceleration like? I realize it is an SUV and not expecting the much, but in that context (ie SUV) is it fun to drive? Will be doing a test driving a Mach E and Model Y this Saturday and ID.4 (when the demo arrives) any suggestions as to what to test / review?

Pre-production. The screen lag is trash. Genuinely not good. I only give it a pass at this point because 1) it can be updated and 2) the screen is absolutely gorgeous to look at. Some animations and transitions work okay, but others (especially when swiping from the Home Screen to the app screen) it can freeze up and you have to swipe more than once.

Did I mention the screen, though? It's beautiful. Color reproduction is superb and its super high resolution. I found myself just staring at it more than once.

OTA updates haven't shipped yet, but I know of two in the pipeline. They haven't been applied to these pre-production units.

Acceleration and performance? Based on my not scientific testing (but with a GPS logger) I did a 0-60 in 7.95 seconds. So it's not quick. But at like 200 hp moving that much weight around I'm not surprised. Once you're moving the instant torque makes overtaking easy, though. It's enough power, for sure. But it's no Trackhawk.

Cornering and handling are fine, but this car is better at the highway cruise than the back road jaunt. It eats the miles and is super quiet even at speeds I can't talk about in the U.S.

Mach E and Model Y are your performance cars, but they make some sacrifices for design, especially in the rear seats. The ID.4 is a compact crossover that just happens to be electric. It's not "trying too hard" to be something it isn't, and I think that makes it likable.

 

[ChadKirchner]

What's your favorite thing about the car? Least favorite?

The touch sensitive haptic buttons everywhere is annoying. I'd like to think I'd get used to them, and I probably would (I only got like 36 hours with the car), but I miss a good old fashioned button. So that's probably my least favorite thing.

My favorite thing? How much it feels like a normal car. It feels like I'm driving a nice Volkswagen -- not a cheap one -- developed by people who know how to build cars. I like how it looks futuristic, still, but not alien.

 

[corfam]

I typically put my seat on the floor (5'10") as I like the lower position. I found that actually to be too low for my comfort in ID.4 because the dash is quite expansive.

Chad,
Are you saying that you found the lowest position to be too low for your liking, or did you find the seats didn't adjust high? I'm hoping my wife who is just over 5' will have no issue.

Thanks.