It appears that electric vehicle manufacturers are vying for dominance in the entry-level EV market. Days after BMW revealed its most affordable electric car, Volkswagen today announced the 2023 ID.4 electric crossover, fulfilling its promise to bring a more affordable car in the series after its Chattanooga plant in Tennessee began producing EVs last year.
The 2023 ID.4 is less expensive, and as you might expect, I have made a few downgrades to keep the price low. The Volkswagen ID.4 Standard is the latest entrant, and it will start at $37,495 before tax credits or other EV incentives. The entry-level ID.4 is equipped with a 62kWh battery and has an EPA range of 208 miles.
That’s not ideal, given that other EVs in the same price range have a 250+ mile range (at least on paper). On the plus side, a few features like park assist, a 12-inch digital dashboard, and 45W charging via USB-C are now standard across all models.
Something for everyone
Volkswagen hasn’t released any acceleration figures, but the Standard variant’s single synchronous motor can produce 201 horsepower. A few styling changes have also been made, including glossy black front headlights, new wheel designs, and illuminated branding, among others.
Keyless entry via KESSY, a voice-controlled navigation system, Wi-Fi capability with subscription, and rain-sensing wipers for the automatic headlights are also included on the Standard model. The ID.4 lineup for 2023 is divided into three trim levels: Standard/Pro, S, and S Plus.
The Pro model has the same 82kWh battery as the standard model but has a longer range of 275 miles. This model is also available in an all-wheel drive configuration called ID.4 AWD Pro, which adds a front-mounted motor and increases the raw output to 295 horsepower. Both models also have a faster-charging speed of up to 170kW and a greater towing capacity. The ID.4 Pro starts at $42,495 and goes up to $46,295 for the AWD model.
Trim options take things up a notch
Following that is the ID.4 S trim, its Pro variant, and the AWD trim. This one starts at $42,495 and includes a fixed panoramic roof, a 30-color ambient lighting system for the cabin, 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, 12-way power seats, and a heated steering wheel.
The ID.4 Pro S model will cost you $47,495 while the confusingly named ID.4 Pro AWD S will set you back $51,295. Volkswagen also offers Plus trim levels for the ID.4 Pro S and ID.4 AWD Pro S. The ID.4 Pro S Plus starts at $50,195 and includes features such as a black roof, 20-inch wheels, and an upgraded digital sound system with a subwoofer, and heated outer rear seats.
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If you’re interested in the Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S Plus and don’t mind remembering the name, expect to pay $53,995. The new ID.4 cars will be assembled in the United States and will hit dealerships in the fall.
