[Taboleo] The Standard of 'Family Electric Cars'... Volkswagen 'ID.4'

Unobtrusive Design and Performance... No Sense of Rejection
Reasonable Price and Driving Feel Similar to Internal Combustion Engines Are Strengths

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Volkswagen has released its first pure electric vehicle, the 'ID.4'. It has been very popular and received a lot of attention, ranking first among imported electric vehicles just fifteen days after its launch last month. Is it really a vehicle worthy of such attention? The overall impression of the ID.4 after experiencing it firsthand was that it is a 'moderate vehicle.' It is not easily tiresome, and above all, it lacks any 'flashy elements,' making it a textbook example of a 'family electric car.' I drove the ID.4 for 130 km from Gwangjin-gu, Seoul to Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province to get to know it better.

'Rounded and simple exterior... an interior that feels like the beauty of emptiness'

The overall design characteristic of the ID.4 is that it stays true to the basics. Many electric vehicles these days pursue designs that deliberately emphasize a 'futuristic' feel. However, the ID.4 has the traditional silhouette of a car. This is a big advantage for a family car. It does not stand out excessively and applies a proven design that does not cause discomfort to anyone.

The front features left and right headlamps connected by a 'front LED light strip,' with the Volkswagen logo centered overall. The taillights also extend horizontally in a single line, continuing the front design style.

The rounded and smooth shape is also a distinctive feature. This gives the overall design a clean impression, and with a low drag coefficient of 0.28cd, it achieves excellent aerodynamics that also help improve energy efficiency.

The interior design truly embodies the beauty of emptiness. The very simple design is impressive. This simplicity is completed by the small instrument cluster. Recently, instrument clusters have been getting larger and more elaborate, but the small cluster containing only necessary information reduces clutter, making it a good choice in my opinion. However, this aspect is subjective, so I recommend checking it out first if you are considering a purchase.

Along with the small instrument cluster, another element that may divide opinions is the absence of a built-in navigation system. You can use navigation by connecting your smartphone via cable, but this is also a personal preference and should be carefully considered before buying.

The advantage of the simple interior design is the wide-open view. Especially, the dashboard emphasizes horizontality, which expands the field of vision and creates a sense of spaciousness.

Despite the simple design, there is a highlight. It is the ID.Light installed at the bottom of the front windshield. It displays various information such as boarding and alighting, door lock/unlock status, emergency situations, and charging status through RGB LED light effects. It is excellent in design and even more satisfying because the driver can intuitively receive various information.

Spacious interior... wide-open second-row space

The ID.4 measures 4585 mm in length, 1850 mm in width, and 1620 mm in height, making it a compact midsize sport utility vehicle (SUV) with a relatively low height. This gives it a sleeker appearance compared to other vehicles.

The wheelbase is 2765 mm. Because it is longer than comparable vehicles, the interior space feels more spacious. Although the height is low, there is ample headroom in both the first and second rows.

The second-row seat position is designed higher than the first row. Thanks to this, even passengers in the back have a good forward view, which is a big advantage. The surprisingly generous space also makes it more comfortable.

However, the second-row ride quality is somewhat firm, and the seat angle cannot be adjusted, which is a downside. The trunk cargo capacity is 543 liters, expandable up to 1575 liters by folding the rear seats.

Driving feel between internal combustion and electric vehicles

Driving the ID.4 gave a driving feel that, although it is an electric vehicle, did not feel like a typical electric car. Acceleration is smooth and calm rather than rapid at the start like other electric vehicles. It is neither agile nor sluggish but gives a different impression from electric cars that jump forward as soon as you press the accelerator. It feels closer to an internal combustion engine vehicle.

Volkswagen also emphasizes this point. The driving feel of the ID.4 is not burdensome even for customers choosing an electric vehicle for the first time from an internal combustion engine car. After driving it myself, I could fully understand this explanation.

This is even clearer in the driving modes. The ID.4 offers two driving modes. You can select either D (Drive) or B (Brake) mode using the column-type gear selector located on the right side of the instrument cluster. Both driving modes feature smooth regenerative braking. Unlike some electric vehicles, the regenerative braking strength is not excessively strong. This allows the driver to experience a driving feel similar to that of an internal combustion engine car.

However, being an electric vehicle, it shows a sufficiently refreshing performance at high speeds. There is no lack in accelerating. Due to high safety, vehicle control at high speeds is flawless. The suspension is not too stiff and has some flexibility, absorbing shocks well on speed bumps or rough roads. You can fully enjoy the driving feel you expect from Volkswagen.

The energy efficiency recorded during driving was 5.6 km/kWh. This is higher than the official combined efficiency (4.7 km/kWh). Considering that I drove somewhat aggressively with frequent sudden stops and starts during the test drive, this is a high efficiency.

The price is also reasonable. The ID.4 is priced at 54.9 million KRW, eligible for electric vehicle subsidies. Applying the national subsidy (6.51 million KRW) and local government subsidies, the purchase price can be in the mid-40 million KRW range.

Overall, it seems to be a good choice for those who have been driving internal combustion engine cars and are considering an electric vehicle for the first time, especially parents considering a family car with children. Considering the reasonable price, satisfactory performance, and spacious interior, there is no better option as a 'family electric car.'