Used Volkswagen ID.4 for sale: everything you need to know

Volkswagen was one of the first major manufacturers to offer a production electric car with the old e-Up and e-Golf models, but today it offers a range of dedicated electric models, with the Volkswagen ID.4 right at the heart of them. It’s similar to the combustion-powered VW Tiguan in size, and since going on sale in 2021 has been offered with two different battery sizes and a range of trim levels.

It’s a typical Volkswagen product, not necessarily the best car to drive in its segment or the most interesting to look at, but an easy-to-drive all-rounder that by dint of its familiar badge may be a good entry point for drivers new to electric vehicles. They’re already plentiful on the used market too, which means there are some good savings to be found compared to a brand new one.

The Volkswagen ID.4 shares its platform with other Volkswagen EVs including the smaller Volkswagen ID.3, sleeker-roofed Volkswagen ID.5, the retro-styled Volkswagen ID.Buzz and the new Volkswagen ID.7 saloon, but it’s also similar under the skin to the Skoda Enyaq iV, itself a great all-round performer. At this point in the market, it’s hard to ignore the Tesla Model Y though.

Should you buy a Volkswagen ID.4?

The Volkswagen ID.4 makes sense as a “familiar” EV. It’s not built by some company half way across the world that you’re never heard of but by a company whose cars you see in their hundreds every day. It isn’t a first-generation product, it’s not filled with unfathomable features, and its styling is just about sensible enough to fade into the background.

As such we think it’s a sensible introduction to electric vehicles for a lot of customers, with a usable range (certainly in the larger 77kWh battery models, which are theoretically capable of more than 300 miles on a charge), plenty of interior space, and decent pricing - especially if you’re looking at a used model.

You couldn’t call it an exciting car. Entry-level models are actually quite slow by EV standards, though VW does offer more performance as you go up the range. It’s simple and intuitive to drive rather than engaging, so if you’d prefer to mix a little fun with your practicality, something like a Ford Mustang Mach-E might be a better choice.

The interior though is spacious and the boot’s a decent size, while the design of the cabin itself is crisp and modern. Perhaps a bit too modern in places - Volkswagen has rightly attracted criticism for its heavily touchscreen-biased interior controls of late and the ID.4 doesn’t avoid that trend. You’ll find it easier to adjust the heating in a decade-old Golf, that’s for sure. But aside from a few hard plastics, the design and colour themes are neat enough.

If VW’s brand of play-it-safe electric motoring isn’t quite for you then one option is to look at the Skoda Enyaq iV, which is effectively the same car but for a little less money. But the Mustang Mach-E is a more entertaining alternative with brawny styling, while the Tesla Model Y is quicker and if you’ll be charging away from home a lot, the brand’s Supercharger network is difficult to beat.

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What’s the best used Volkswagen ID.4 model to buy?

When looking at used Volkswagen ID.4s you’ll see two different battery pack options and a selection of trim levels. Even the smaller 52kWh pack has a claimed range of more than 200 miles, though if this sounds a little marginal for your needs then you may wish to seek out a car with the 77kWh pack, which has a claimed range of over 300 miles.

All trim levels are fairly well equipped by the standards of most family cars - a heated windscreen, heated seats, and LED headlights are standard across the range - but the entry-level Life does miss out on alloy wheels, while only Max trim gets an efficiency-preserving heat pump as standard. We’d aim for Family trim and above.

Used Volkswagen ID.4 range and performance

• Volkswagen ID.4 52kWh Pure: The entry-level ID.4 powertrain has quite modest power by EV standards, with a single rear motor making 148PS and getting from 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds. Claimed range is up to 213 miles depending on trim level.
• Volkswagen ID.4 77kWh Pure Performance: Pure Performance models get a larger 77kWh battery pack and a rear motor making 170PS, dropping the 0-62mph time down to 9 seconds. The larger battery bumps range up to 322 miles.
• Volkswagen ID.4 77kWh Pro Performance: The Pro Performance gets the same 77kWh battery but a 204PS motor, with an 8.5-second 0-62mph time the result. Range is quoted at 323 miles.
• Volkswagen ID.4 77kWh GTX: GTX models keep the 77kWh battery pack but get a second electric motor up front. With two motors now delivering the power, combined output is up to 299PS, 0-62mph down to 6.2 seconds, and range is quoted at 310 miles.

What used Volkswagen ID.4 trim levels are available?

The ID.4 was launched with a range of trim lines, and a couple more have joined the range since - though here we’re concentrating on the main ones you’re likely to find on the used market, plus the more recent GTX performance model. Like many EVs, equipment levels are pretty decent, helping justify the initial outlay - though it’s unusual to see steel wheels with trims at this point in the market, as you’ll find on the ID.4 Life (though the original owner may have upgraded to alloys).

• The Volkswagen ID.4 Life kicks off the range with 19-inch steel wheels with aerodynamic trims, LED headlights, microfleece trim, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-speaker audio, ambient lighting, two-zone air conditioning, heated front seats and steering wheel, a heated front windscreen, keyless go, active cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors.
• The Volkswagen ID.4 Family adds 19-inch alloy wheels, dynamic LED headlights, an illuminated band between the front lights, three-zone air conditioning, a panoramic sunroof, privacy glass in the rear, rain sensing wipers, a variable boot floor, illuminated door handles, keyless access and go, and a rear-view camera.
• The Volkswagen ID.4 Max has most of the kit of the Family but also includes a heat pump, folding and heated door mirrors, a head-up display, 12-inch infotainment screen, dynamic chassis control, and 14-way adjustable front seats with integrated head restraints.
• The Volkswagen ID.4 1st Edition was a special edition sold when the ID.4 first went on sale. It included most of the kit from the ID.4 Life mentioned above, but also 20-inch alloy wheels, two-tone paintwork, and privacy glass.
• The Volkswagen ID.4 GTX is the performance-focused variant. It gets the most powerful twin-motor setup plus 20-inch alloy wheels, GTX fabric for the seats, matrix LED headlights, a head-up display, rear-view camera, panoramic glass roof, a 90% tint for the rear windows, keyless entry and go, three-zone climate control, and heated front seats.

Used Volkswagen ID.4 dimensions and boot size

The Volkswagen ID.4’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4584mm
• Width: 1852mm (without mirrors)
• Height: 1636mm

The Volkswagen ID.4’s boot size is:

• 543 litres
• 1734 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)

Used Volkswagen ID.4 road tax

There is currently no VED or ‘road tax’ applicable to electric cars like the Volkswagen ID.4, so along with the low running costs of charging at home, it’s cheaper than taxing a combustion-powered vehicle too. This may change in future, though it’s still likely to be cheaper to tax an EV than a petrol or diesel car.

How much is it to insure a Volkswagen ID.4?

A basic ID.4 Life starts in group 18 which is actually pretty low by electric car standards, while a top-spec GTX rises to group 34 - also really not bad for a more performance-focused EV. A Ford Mustang Mach-E starts at group 33 for instance.

Read our full Volkswagen ID.4 review