[notspeedy]

last year I reserved an id4. After a test drive, was I was left with a meh feeling. The Tesla excited me. So I canceled my reservation and decided to wait on what the govt would do with the new proposed EV incentives.

Last week I went for at test drive again to compare the Tesla with the VW. VW performance was still meh. It felt under powered. Went to Tesla, and loved the performance, but this time, major quality concerns. a show room car had the seat controls fall off..panel gaps, some other alignment issues, paint quality was meh, and so forth.

After almost a year of going back and forth, today I decided the VW was the better choice for me. Ordered a Pro S AWD in kings red! Pretty sure the next phase of waiting will be rough!

 

[Spin]

Good luck with it!!

 

[Nai3t]

Test drive an AWD and see if the extra hundred horses addresses your meh.

Mine is approaching its 6th month and has been excellent. A few little buggy-boo A/V related complaints, but 100% reliable in driving and let's say 98% charging (stuck charging cable a few times at EA, never failed to charge though, 100% problem-free at home charging). I find the power is better than adequate. Sure it could be faster, but I never get out of my snappy little i3 or my 350 HP Ford Flex and into the ID.4 and feel let down by this car.

 

[raadsel]

Your wait won't be nearly as bad as mine. I put in my reservation 6 months ago for an AWD and it has not yet locked; from what we can put together here, because I didn't order the gradient package. Since you have the Gradient package on your order, you should be asked to "lock" your order in the next week.

 

[Don]

That's me too. After reading all about it's mediocre power, I was quite surprised when I drove one. True, it's not a Tesla or a Mach E, but the power is plenty enough for the type of driving I do. I'm genuinely impressed. An extra few K's for an AWD and I doubt I'd use the 'extra' very often - Every time you do, you'd be reducing it's already limited range and that's the only number I'd really like to see bigger. I'd rather have ther tighter turning circle. I got the Pro model partly because with it's 19 inch tires, it has 10 more miles of range than any other model . . . . but, mostly because I did not want the glass roof. I was quite surprised to discover I also got more usable cargo area, which is nice

Don

 

[MikeQBF]

I test drove an ID.4 Pro S yesterday, not so much to buy but to preview the MEB platform for when the ID.Buzz ordering window opens. I characterize it as competent, but I wholeheartedly concur with "meh". What a bland vehicle. Granted, I gave up on sedans years ago, but even a vanilla Chevy Malibu rental car has more personality. (Yes, the ID.4 is technically a "crossover", but its lack of interior space and sloping rear roofline has sedan written all over it.)

I was happy with the performance and driving experience. I have other EVs under my belt, so judging from what I experienced, VW's engineers have obviously tuned-out the torque "kick" from zero to make the accel experience more like an ICE with automatic transmission. It got out of its own way very nicely, tho'.

If I had a solid "not interested" complaint, it was the integrated infotainment system. I nor the salesperson could figure out how to turn the radio off, and we were having a boatload of trouble finding where to lower the volume; we were shouting to each other most of the drive. We found the tiny power button in the lower left, but were then apparently left without climate controls or the nav system. Controlling basic functions like radio on/off and A/C should not require reading the manual first. I'm dreading teaching my computer-illiterate spouse how to run the car, 1) because it is to be her vehicle; and 2) every computer-related "tech session" ends with either her in tears or questioning life in general. "I'm not smart enough for a smart phone."

 

[voxel]

That's me too. After reading all about it's mediocre power, I was quite surprised when I drove one. True, it's not a Tesla or a Mach E, but the power is plenty enough for the type of driving I do. I'm genuinely impressed. An extra few K's for an AWD and I doubt I'd use the 'extra' very often - Every time you do, you'd be reducing it's already limited range and that's the only number I'd really like to see bigger. I'd rather have ther tighter turning circle. I got the Pro model partly because with it's 19 inch tires, it has 10 more miles of range than any other model . . . . but, mostly because I did not want the glass roof. I was quite surprised to discover I also got more usable cargo area, which is nice

Don

I am the same. I got the Pro because I did not want a glass roof.

As others have said, I also felt meh about the acceleration on my test drive but after driving it as an owner for a week… I don’t need more. AWD extra power would be nice a few times a year. What I love is the smooth ride. It’s surprised me. I’m done with my eyeballs shaking over rough roads in my previous cars and jerky ICE acceleration.

I technically have a Model Y on order with an eta of Jan 2022 but may cancel it. I am still considering a Mach-E but that depends on the 2022 model changes.

 

[Huey52]

I too was expecting the ID.4 RWD to be "underpowered" given all the spec's-only negative press early on. However in actual practice over 6-months now I've been pleasantly and continuously surprised with its responsiveness.
I don't need it, but the AWD's add'l ~94 Hp/110 Tq is sure to cure any "meh" feelings for those who do.

 

[notspeedy]

Another plus the ID4 had over the tesla was a quieter ride, with less road noise. This was a major factor for me. I also like the idea of having messaging seats. Tesla audio was better, but the ID4 was fine. Surprisingly, infomat is not that big of a deal to me. Sure, the tesla looks great, but I'm really messing with that stuff. The tesla may excite more, may even have an addtional "cool" factor..but VW offers more and for a better price. I just wish VW would pull their head out of the a$$, and offer the EU trims/options in the US. Ive wished this with every VW ive owned. The ID.4 will make my 4 vw!

 

[ericy]

That's me too. After reading all about it's mediocre power, I was quite surprised when I drove one. True, it's not a Tesla or a Mach E, but the power is plenty enough for the type of driving I do. I'm genuinely impressed. An extra few K's for an AWD and I doubt I'd use the 'extra' very often - Every time you do, you'd be reducing it's already limited range and that's the only number I'd really like to see bigger. I got the Pro model partly because with it's 19 inch tires, it has 10 more miles of range than any other model . . . . but, mostly because I did not want the glass roof. I was quite surprised to discover I also got more usable cargo area, which is nice

I have to laugh - my wife complained to me the other day that it was too easy to speed in the ID.4. And mind you, she likes to drive fast, and I have the car in eco mode.

 

[Don]

If I had a solid "not interested" complaint, it was the integrated infotainment system.

I think that's the single biggest complaint almost everyone has with the car. Luckily it's software and not hardware as I think we're all trusting that VW will eventually get it all sorted out. They have promised to update our original models to always have the same, latest software as the cars they'll be building years from now and that's really good news - Few manufacturers make that promise. Usually when you're out the door with your new car you're on your own and you don't get that sort of ongoing support

They're taking their sweet time about it, but I suspect once they get the first software update under their belt, more will come much faster than this first one

Don

 

[Tinman]

They have promised to update our original models to always have the same, latest software as the cars they'll be building years from now

As the AWD models arrive with 2.1 (0792), this statement holds true.

 

[Nai3t]

I'm wondering, there was supposed to be an "internal" 2.2 that was going to be an AWD-only stop-gap until 2.3 was ready. Then AWD was delayed, or at least 2.3 launched before the AWD. But is it confirmed the US AWDs that have been delivered are on 2.1 / 0792?

Don, don't be too sure about that "always and forever" commitment. VW has publicly shared their software roadmap, and by 2025 their EV landscape is going to look radically different. They've also indicated they are simultaneously evolving their hardware.

But this shouldn't be a surprise. Nothing is ever static. Technology always evolves. As long as we get some updates, bugs quashed, a sprinkling of new features added, occasional map updates, I won't feel "left behind / promises unfulfilled" as the platform ages, and newer, shinier tech emerges. That's the nature of... everything! (The ultimate 2025 build will similarly be "old news" three or four years later.)

 

[Tinman]

But is it confirmed the US AWDs that have been delivered are on 2.1 / 0792?

I was basing it on this from the test drives this week. So, it does not meet the 'have been delivered' test.

ID.4 AWD (US Spec) First Drive from ID.4 RWD Owner

www.vwidtalk.com

 

[Nai3t]

I was basing it on this from the test drives this week. ...

Awesomesauce! Thanks, hadn't read that thread.

This is the first confirmation I've read of Hold feature coming. That's good news, since it seemed from VW's customer service emails like this was a feature intentionally left out in the US, left me expecting we weren't going to get it.

I wish I could find the 2.2 info I remember. I don't recall the source. I think I read it on their roadmap, but it could have been a video. It was an authoritative source, and I immediately questioned "why?" since at the time, pre-2.3, it felt like that version release was imminent.

 

[JimmyVW]

0792 is just the infotainment.
they’ve changed the firmware in some of the AWD ‘s modules, trust me. For the GTX they called it 2.2
For the US version, who knows… might also be 2.2/0792

 

[FlashJ]

car drives beautifully. the issues I have are related to free 3 year charging on Electrify America (a VW investment from the diesel settlement). So far have charged 6 times and never got close to the 150 kw promised. Charging is taking more time than advertised. I am in this catch 22: is it a car problem or a charging station problem. So far many complaints and phone calls with no clear answer. My latest tactic is to say love driving the car but this charging issue is another class action suit in the making. Seems to get more attention. PLEASE VW JUST FIX THIS PROBLEM!

 

[voxel]

car drives beautifully. the issues I have are related to free 3 year charging on Electrify America (a VW investment from the diesel settlement). So far have charged 6 times and never got close to the 150 kw promised. Charging is taking more time than advertised. I am in this catch 22: is it a car problem or a charging station problem. So far many complaints and phone calls with no clear answer. My latest tactic is to say love driving the car but this charging issue is another class action suit in the making. Seems to get more attention. PLEASE VW JUST FIX THIS PROBLEM!

Weird. I charged today and it hit 175kW peak according to EA. 22Kw in 22 mins (going from 57% to 83%). I know batteries do NOT like high amps after 50% charge.... this is from my hobbies (radio controlled jets). When lithium batteries are low charged (around 20-30%) they happily accept high current.

 

[Nai3t]

... So far have charged 6 times and never got close to the 150 kw promised. ...

Could it be your expectations need adjustment? Honest question. Plus they've probably got enough disclaimer legalese to duck a lawsuit.

https://media.vw.com/en-us/releases/1445

• As with Level 2 charging, individual EVs have their own DC fast charging limits. The Volkswagen ID.4 can accept up to 125 kW of public DC fast charging, providing 5-80 percent charge in about 38 minutes [4], and the Electrify America network offers fast chargers with up to 350 kW.
• [4] ID.4 equipped with fast charging capability maximum rate of 125kW. Based on charging at a 125kW or higher charger. Charging times will vary and depend on a variety of factors, including ambient temperature, charger type, battery condition and initial state of charge, vehicle condition and others. Frequent and consecutive fast charging can permanently decrease battery capacity.