As momentum (slowly) builds in the new-energy vehicle (NEV) space locally, Volkswagen Africa has brought ten units of its popular ID.4 battery-electric SUV to South Africa as a precursor to its official launch in 2026 (or sooner, if the planets align). Here’s what we know.
The Volkswagen ID.4, unveiled in Europe in September 2020, marked a significant milestone in the automotive giant’s electric vehicle journey. As Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV, the ID.4 embodies the brand’s commitment to a sustainable future, and laid the groundwork for several other ID-badged BEVs to follow. Some of which will, ultimately, also be available here.
Since its debut, the ID.4 has garnered a warm reception in Europe, and has been praised for its blend of innovative technology, practical design, and impressive range. Aiming to spearhead its own passenger NEV strategy here from 2026, Volkswagen Africa has brought ten units to local shores as a test fleet to determine the car’s viability for local introduction and gain feedback from the media, fleet customers, and selected private customers.
The ID.4 is not the first such test subject to be poked and prodded in Mzansi. That accolade goes to the e-Golf brought here in 2021, followed by the ID.3 in 2022 and the ID.Buzz Cargo in 2023. The latter, currently being tested in partnership with logistics company DHL, is also earmarked for eventual local introduction, albeit (we hope) also in MPV form rather than “just” as a utility vehicle.
Although not yet available to purchase, Volkswagen assures us that they are working at ironing out some regulatory, supply, and engineering hurdles in the way of a full-blown market introduction that’s currently set for 2026.
ID-ING THE ID.4
We had the opportunity to sample the ID.4 on a short, localised test route in Gauteng last month, and Initial impressions are excellent, especially from a design point of view.
One aspect that affects an electric car’s range – apart from its battery’s size and weight – is its drag coefficient. Although being slippery is important for any vehicle, it is much more so in an electric car. The ID.4 has a drag coefficient of 0.28 cd, which means it is one of the most aerodynamic cars around. The good thing is that aerodynamic efficiency has not come at the cost of forward-focussed design.
Large LED headlights flanking a typical VW nose give the ID.4 a bold and sophisticated look, while a strong wave-like shoulder line brings momentum into the vehicle body. The A-pillar extends from just behind the middle of the front wheel arch, and rakes steeply back to deliver a dynamic feel to the greenhouse, without compromising interior space.
In fact, the ID.4 interior is surprisingly spacious thanks to short overhangs and a relatively long wheelbase, which grants the car as much available space as a conventional SUV of the next-larger class. The high-voltage battery lies as a flat block underneath the passenger compartment, while the electric drive motor, power and control electronics for the electric drive and gearbox are located on the rear axle to save space. The short vehicle front end accommodates the radiator and large components of the air conditioning system.
The luggage compartment volume is 543 litres, with available space increasing to 1,575 litres with the backrests folded down. Roof rails are fitted as standard, and can carry up to 75 kg.
MODERN COCOON
Besides being large, the ID.4 interior is comfortable and well laid out. A large 10” display (tilted slightly toward the driver) dominates the dashboard, with haptic drive mode, climate, and driver assistance controls positioned below the screen for easy access. In front of the driver, a 5.3” instrument display is flanked by the “gear” selector button with the “D” position used (for general driving with energy recuperation applied during braking. Position “B” is used for maximum recuperation, essentially placing the ID.4 in a single-pedal driving state. Speaking of the pedals, Volkswagen added a quirky touch on the aluminium pedals, with a “Play’ and “Pause” symbol cutout on the accelerator and brake controls, respectively.
In keeping with the ID.4s eco-friendlier theme, no animal-derived materials are used in the cabin. There are cup holders, a roller shutter compartment with a smartphone holder in the centre console, two USB-C charging points in the front, and two more for rear passengers if the optional Comfort package is selected.
Uncompromising safety is also a key feature of the ID.4, with (among several others) a centre airbag built into the left bolster of the driving seat to prevent the front passengers from colliding with one another in the event of an accident. The front passenger seat and outer rear seats are fitted with ISOFIX anchorages for child seats as standard.
THE DRIVE TEST
VW will introduce a single ID.4 version in this market named the Pro Performance, which employs an 82 kWh battery (with 77 kWh usable) that permits a maximum range of up to 531 km in accordance with WLTP3. Thanks to the powerful electric drive at the rear with 150 kW and 310 Nm torque, the ID.4 Pro Performance accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in a claimed 8.5 seconds and will reach a top speed limited at 160 km/h. The ID.4 Pro Performance transmits torque to a two-stage, one-speed gearbox, including differential. The ID.4 Pro Performance has a combined consumption of 16.4 kWh/100 km.
The first thing we noticed from the ID.4 driving experience is its phenomenally supple ride, and the second, is its smooth and consistent power delivery unburdened by the constraints of a combustion engine. Also apparent is the extremely silent cabin, even at highway speeds. Despite its weight, the ID.4 is an athletic, powerful all-rounder that is easy to drive and, thanks to the location of the battery between the axles, has a low centre of gravity and near-perfect weight distribution (close to the ideal value of 50:50) that combines with the McPherson strut system on the front axle and complex five-link suspension at the rear for exceptional handling.
LAST WORD
To my mind, the greatest disappointment of the ID.4 is that the car will not be available for retail sales before 2026. Two years is a long time to wait for the country’s second-largest motor brand to officially enter the electric era, where an increasing number of its competitors, including its sister brand Audi, are already beginning to make an impact.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG | Images © VOLKSWAGEN AFRICA
