Howdy all, new member here from the mountains of North Idaho. Got my reservation in for a Pro S AWD in Blue. Have concerns about two things: 1) Capacitive switches on the steering wheel and the climate and audio sliders - I've seen several negative comments about these on YouTube. 2) Gradient package. Really like the gradient paint scheme but feel like 19" wheels might be better for the rough roads where we live. Why can't car manufacturers offer an a la carte menu for different features? Comments?
New Member from North Idaho
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For now, here at the beginning of VW's foray into EVs, it's "take it or leave it" on the packaging and features. I'm still waiting on mine, and I'll let you know how I feel about the switches. For now they seem elegant, but I may want to sell the car come January. We'll see. For now, I am still looking forward to it.
Welcome!
Welcome!
I'm not having any issues with controls on steering wheel, although if you're a 9 and 3 driver you will likely accidently press them (I tend to be hands on 10 and 2). I rarely use the touch sliders below the screen...they weren't that well thought out.
Maybe you dealer will switch out 20s for 19s of they can find a customer wanting to "upgrade"
That said most people haven't noticed much ride difference and you'll probably be getting a smaller set of snow wheels and tires right?
Maybe you dealer will switch out 20s for 19s of they can find a customer wanting to "upgrade"
That said most people haven't noticed much ride difference and you'll probably be getting a smaller set of snow wheels and tires right?
We have had ours for 8 months now. My wife and I have no problems with the controls. You can use the sliders, the sliders you can use your finger to slide or you can just tap on one side or the other to move the temp or volume up or down or you can use the tradition steering wheel controls, I have never accidently hit the steering wheel controls. There has been complaints about the window controls. I find that is no issue you can roll yours and passengers, if you want to roll down the back you slightly touch the control now you have control over the back windows. If you want to roll up or down all four at once you hold the control for about 3 seconds and now you have control over all windows . We like the outlay of the car and the touch controls have all worked perfectly for us.
I'm aware of the shortcuts... My major issue is that due to my height with long legs relative to torso, my seat is one click from all the way back and to reach the infotainment is quite far (fully outstretched arm plus slight forward lean) The buttons below the screen are a small target while the car is in motion, and nearly impossible at night to engage with without back lighting (they're fine when I'm stopped).
With the infotainment screen I actually grab the top of it to stabilize my arm and then interact with screen with my thumb, if using while in motion.
The touch controls on steering wheel I have not much issue, working pretty well, other than it looks nasty when dirty and a lil worried that the glossy surfaces will look really ugly once all scratched up. But if you think about it, if you have matte buttons, you know like your laptop keyboard, they will get shiny overtime because of friction with your finger, the surface is already shiny, so actually it might age better 😁
The infotainment sliders, I have avoided those because touching them again makes them look greasy and nasty. But I had developed this habit of never using them. To change volume, I use the steering wheel controls. To change climate, a quick tap of the climate/heated seats icon (bottom left corner of infotainment screen), then I have everything I need for climate controls. Further hidden by it being not backlit during the evening, I don't even remember the sliders exist!
Now the two-switches windows control are absolutely insane, I still stumble trying to open the rear windows, but its not a deal breaker for me.
The infotainment sliders, I have avoided those because touching them again makes them look greasy and nasty. But I had developed this habit of never using them. To change volume, I use the steering wheel controls. To change climate, a quick tap of the climate/heated seats icon (bottom left corner of infotainment screen), then I have everything I need for climate controls. Further hidden by it being not backlit during the evening, I don't even remember the sliders exist!
Now the two-switches windows control are absolutely insane, I still stumble trying to open the rear windows, but its not a deal breaker for me.
Oh and about the Gradient package... I always believe that on any car, if going with a darker body color, the accents / details need to be lesser, to avoid an overall look getting too busy. The dusk blue is pretty dark, so I think the black accents looks good on it. On a lighter body color, it makes the car looks simpler, so without the silver accents (and the contrasting black roof / silver rails) looks kinda blah.
I don't think the ride comfort was that different, but the 20" wheel design on the ID.4 looks soooo goooood. Even though they may be slightly less efficient, and the tires harder to find and more expensive.
I don't think the ride comfort was that different, but the 20" wheel design on the ID.4 looks soooo goooood. Even though they may be slightly less efficient, and the tires harder to find and more expensive.
I am 6’2” and have no issues. I have to lean forward just like I would have to lean forward to turn a knob on any dash mounted stereo. I am not saying it is not an inconvenience to some but just seems like it is a non issue, due to the fact you would have to do the same on any other vehicle with knobs in the same place.
... Except that you can grab a knob and it's a fairly large target. The difference between temp up and temp down on the slider is like 0.5 inch.
Anyway it's a non issue since there are better ways to adjust temp via voice or main screen, but I'm not giving up any ground on the assertion that those buttons under the infotainment screen are poorly designed for use in motion or at night, nor are they an improvement over a knob except for taking up less space
I do agree with night they are useless. They should have been lit. Thats the nice thing about all of us, we have specific needs that fit us individually and nothing made is a one fit for all 😎👍. I hope you enjoy the car as much as we have.
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I remember Burt Reynolds in an interview citing that he had a long torso but relatively short legs and someone must be running around with his. Well I'm that guy, as similarly shorter torso with longer legs. 🤪
We all do it to a degree but really shouldn't be doing much Infotainment interaction when driving. I find I now use the steering wheel controls to include the voice activation switch ("Hello ID" was a novelty early on but predictably now seldom used), and I'm a pretty staunch 9-3 hands position guy, especially considering that's where the thumb recesses exist. Although solo driving much of the time, when my wife is aboard I assign her as the "weapon systems officer."
We all do it to a degree but really shouldn't be doing much Infotainment interaction when driving. I find I now use the steering wheel controls to include the voice activation switch ("Hello ID" was a novelty early on but predictably now seldom used), and I'm a pretty staunch 9-3 hands position guy, especially considering that's where the thumb recesses exist. Although solo driving much of the time, when my wife is aboard I assign her as the "weapon systems officer."
Luckily, the WSO can't initiate the ejection sequence for the pilot!when my wife is aboard I assign her as the "weapon systems officer."
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😂😂😎I remember Burt Reynolds in an interview citing that he had a long torso but relatively short legs and someone must be running around with his. Well I'm that guy, as similarly shorter torso with longer legs. 🤪
We all do it to a degree but really shouldn't be doing much Infotainment interaction when driving. I find I now use the steering wheel controls to include the voice activation switch ("Hello ID" was a novelty early on but predictably now seldom used), and I'm a pretty staunch 9-3 hands position guy, especially considering that's where the thumb recesses exist. Although solo driving much of the time, when my wife is aboard I assign her as the "weapon systems officer."
The nice thing about a knob is, you can reach for it from memory without taking your eyes off the road and once you 'find' it, you can also make the adjustment without looking at it - Easily 10X better for the intended purpose than the sliders. I just don't even try to make any adjustment with the slider while the car is in motion and that's not how you should be designing operator interaction with any control - If it requires you to take your eyes off the road, then it's time to redesign something, 'cause that ain't working like it should . . . . IMO
Obviously a case of form over function - They designed it to look pretty, not be easy to use, which is a fail in my book
Don
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I agree in principle. However just yesterday was watching a 'tube road trip video (JK EV) and there was a complaint made regarding the audio volume 'slider' on the Infotainment not being backlit at night. It's a valid point but I immediately thought - why don't you just use the steering wheel volume buttons (my preferred as hands never leave the wheel and eyes remain on the road), or "Hello ID reduce/increase volume" or let your passenger handle it? 🤷♂️
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