Volkswagen ID.4 review

Here’s the first thing to know: the ID.4 doesn't do switches. Not even a handbrake. It comes on automatically when you stop, provided you've activated it on a screen menu.

Instead, all your interactions and impressions of the car depend on the screen and capacitive touchpoints. At the screen's base are inconsistent and untactile volume and temperature sliders. These are newly illuminated since the subtle late-2023 update of the ID.4, covering off some of the interior criticism. Shame that the gear selector doesn't light up still. 

Neither are we fans of the capacitative touch controls on the steering wheel, which are too easy to brush your hand on.

Oops. Anything positive to say?

The actual screen (a 12.9in unit as standard on all cars) graphics are nice and the resolution is high. A group of four little pads act as shortcuts to oft-used menus. The infotainment still has its foibles despite Volkswagen's over the air updates – the company says the 'Hello ID' voice assistant makes up for the screen's niggles, but not everyone wants to use a fussy voice command system.

In Volkswagen's favour, the updates so far have definitely improved things, so at least the company is listening. 

But is everything else OK?

It's not too bad. The minimal aesthetic in the furniture is enhanced by tasteful cloth, leather and plastics, and ambient light. There's heaps of room, even for three abreast in the back because of the flat floor. Console storage is vast, and there are loads of different pockets for phones and other chattels, plus USBs in plenitude.

The boot's big at 543 litres, trumping most rivals, but it'd have been good to have a storage space for cables under the front bonnet. Under the boot floor doesn't make much sense – you need to empty the boot to get the cable out.

Anything else to note?

You get VW’s ‘ID’ light, a strip of LEDs below the windscreen that sweep left or right as you come up to a junction in accordance with the satnav (shame it doesn’t work with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, mind). Each software update has also introduced new functionality, such as pulsing when you’re coming up to a junction. It’s a pretty neat feature.

All in, this is an excellent cabin for everyone in a family crossover who isn't the driver.