While the ID.3 was Volkswagens (VW) first dedicated all-electric vehicle, the ID.3 is not rated to tow, unlike the ID.4. The ID.4 is intended to be a global mass-market vehicle for VW, targeting the lucrative and growing market of compact SUVs. During the reveal event seen below VW emphasized the towing capabilities of the ID.4 at up to 2,700 lbs (1,200 kg). However, only one version of the ID.4 (GTX) is rated to tow 1,200kg. Other versions (Pure/Pure Performance/Pro Performance) are limited to towing 1,000kg.
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Key VW ID.4 Specs
- Official Towing Capacity – 1,000 kg (Pure/Pro), 1,200kg (GTX)
- Availability – Now
- Price – Starting £32,495 (Pure) > £48,525 (GTX)
- Range (EV Database) – 175 Miles (Pure) > 255 Miles (Pro Performace)
- Estimated Towing Range (50%) – 88 miles (Pure) > 128 miles (Pro Performance
- Maximum DC Charge Rate – 118 kW (Pure) > 135kW (Pro Performance/GTX)
- Rapid Charge 10% to 80% – 29 min (Pure) > 34 min (Pro Performance/GTX)
- Check Used VW ID.4 Specs
VW ID.4 HP & Torque
- ID.4 Pure – RWD, 146 HP and 162 lb-ft of torque
- ID.4 Pure Performance – RWD, 168 HP and 229 lb-ft of torque
- ID.4 Pro Performance – RWD, 201 HP and 229 lb-ft of torque
- ID.4 GTX – AWD, 295 HP and 339 lb-ft of torque
VW ID.4 Towing Capabilities
At the global reveal event for the ID.4 VW stated the car will be able to tow up to 2,700 lbs (1,200 kg). However, the first ID.4 which came to the UK in ‘1st’ trim, was RWD with a towing capacity of 1,000 kg.
The 1st trim has been phased out and we now have four versions of the ID.4, three versions which are RWD and one AWD version, the GTX. All of the RWD versions have a 1,000kg towing capacity, only the AWD GTX get’s the full 1,200kg towing capacity. As you can see below, towing was featured quite prominently in the global reveal event.
So if you weren’t aware, in 2015 VW dropped a boo-boo and got caught up in the Dieselgate debacle, not being entirely honest with test results on the emissions their internal combustion engine cars were producing. I should state, VW were/are not the only car manufacturer to have tried such misleading efforts.
The reason I bring up Dieselgate is really that’s the reason the ID.4 and other MEB platform based VW electric cars (such as the ID.3) are coming onto the market now.
Sure, VW like other established automobile manufacturers would have eventually got into the electric car game. Let’s just say that Dieselgate (and regulators) gave them a bit of a push to get going with their EV program sooner rather than later.
Old Habits Die Hard
What did amuse me watching the ID.4 reveal event was before VW started to discuss the all-electric ID.4 they spent the time to promote their internal combustion compact SUV Atlas which is sold in the US with one of their ‘brand ambassadors’.
Explaining how great a V6 engined crossover is during the global reveal to tell everyone VW is serious about EV’s just made me laugh.
Don’t get me wrong, VW is now serious about EV’s and they are putting huge amounts of money into EV research/development and manufacturing. It’s just when I watched that promotion of the V6 Atlas, I thought to myself, ‘old habits die hard’.
VW ID.4 Competition (As An Electric Tow Car)
Now, in the reveal event, VW was very keen to point out that the ID.4 is ‘best in class’, making reference to several ICE compact SUVs from Toyota, Honda etc. However, they made no comparisons/references to any other electric vehicle, and VW has implied the ID.4 is not intended to compete against the Tesla Model Y, a fellow all-electric hatchback that can tow.
I’m sure VW would state that the ID.4 does not have the range/features of the Tesla Model Y because its a cheaper more affordable car, which is true currently when looking at the ID.4 1st and other RWD versions. However, there is only around £7k difference between the AWD ID.4 GTX and the Tesla Model Y Long Range which is also AWD but with more power, range, faster charging speed etc.
Tough competition for the ID.4 actually comes from the VW subsidiary brand Skoda. The Enyaq is based on the same MEB platform as the ID.4, however, the Enyaq is notably cheaper with the same capabilities. Therefore, presuming someone isn’t a brand snob towards owning a Skoda, the Enyaq is tough competition for the ID.4.
Reviews Of The VW ID.4
I’ve included two reviews below, the first is from Auto Trader on the ID.4 1st Edition which is no longer available but is essentially the current Pro Performance spec, hence RWD with 201 HP. The second review is from Electrifiying and the ID.4 GTX which has the same battery size (77kW) as the 1st/Pro Perormance but is AWD with more power at 301 HP.
As Rory notes in his review above, when spending north of £40K on a car, getting rear drum brakes is let’s say surprising. The reasonably large 542 litre boot is good, but the lack of any front storage for even cables is disappointing.
Ride quality in the ID.4 according to Rory is ‘ok’, but again, I would have expected better from VW to be honest. However, by far the biggest disappoints with the ID.4 is the software situation and DC charging speed.
As Tom discusses in his review above, the additional traction the AWD system provides to the ID.4 is welcome. However, as the GTX is pushing £50K that means its coming into some pretty tough direct competition including the Hyundai IONIQ 5, KIA EV6, Polestar 2 and obviously the Tesla Model Y.
For example, the 125kW maximum DC rapid charging speed is an optional extra on many versions of the ID.4. Even then, its still roughly half the speed which an IONIQ 5, EV6 or Model Y can charge at on a suitably rated rapid charger.
My Thoughts On The VW ID.4…
First off, competition is good, plain and simple. While Tesla may currently lead the game when it comes to electric vehicles, there is a lot that VW can bring to the table to compete. Large scale vehicle manufacturing and quality control are hard things to master as Tesla is now finding out. VW does have the experience to bring electric cars to the masses.
The ID.4 1st/Pro Performance (RWD) with its 1,000 kg towing capacity for its £42,000 price tag will be a cheaper option than the Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor with its 1,600 kg towing capacity at £54,000. If you only ever want to tow small cargo/camping trailers etc, sure the ID.4 could be a valid option, though most caravan’s will be out of reach.
However, I think the biggest issue with the ID.4 is its DC rapid charging speed which is significantly slower compared to the competition, not just Tesla. As towing can consume on average double the amount of energy, more frequent charging stops will be required. I discuss this topic more in my Guides & FAQ section.