Volkswagen South Africa has dipped another toe into the local EV waters by introducing the ID.4 Pro Performance. However, while the fully electric SUV was made available for evaluation, it is still considered a test fleet vehicle and not offered to the buying public.
Volkswagen Group Africa has continued its cautious approach to entering the local EV market by introducing a limited number of ID.4 Pro Performance SUVs here as a test fleet – similar in the way the e-Golf and ID.3 arrived here – before committing to a full EV product campaign, purportedly by 2026.
The ID.4 embodies the brand’s commitment to sustainable mobility. It has been on sale overseas for over two years, meeting with solid success in Europe and the UK but now the current seems to have somewhat turned against EVs. Even so, Volkswagen predicts the local EV market will achieve the 10,000 units per annum mark by 2030, driven predominantly by greater affordability, improved charging infrastructure and rising fuel costs.
Thus, to acquire further feedback to guide the brand’s decisions on its EV roll-out, Volkswagen has made a 10-strong test fleet of ID.4s available to the media and other selected stakeholders, as this crossover/SUV will be the first EV model to be offered for sale locally. For now, it can only be leased and is limited to tarred road use only.
ATTRACTIVE STYLING
Everywhere we stopped, the clean and flowing lines of the ID.4, with seamless and soft transitions alternating with sharp edges – transferring the powerful styling of the ID. family into the SUV segment – drew favourable comments from bystanders.
The big 19” wheels of the e-SUV in oversized wheel arches command attention, and the wave-like shoulder line and low roof arch give it a sporty look, also resulting in a low drag coefficient of 0.28. Short overhangs, thanks to the modular electric drive (MEB) platform and battery packaging, benefit a spacious interior – with as much room as a next-larger class SUV.
The interior design emphasises the feeling of spaciousness with a floating dash panel without buttons or switches, a 10” central touch display and high-quality materials for the seats and cabin trim. Most functions are operated via the multifunctional steering wheel, and there is no gear lever – the drive modes and parking lock are selected by a rocker switch to the right of the display.
SMOOTH RIDE, SOFT BRAKES
The 77 kWh battery pack below the passenger compartment delivers up to 150 kW and can transmit up to 310 Nm of torque via a two-stage one-speed gearbox to the rear wheels – enabling the ID.4 Pro Performance to reach 100 km/h from a standing start in a moderate (for an EV) 8.5 seconds and a top speed limited to 160 km/h.
With a combined consumption of 16.4 kWh/100 km, the ID.4 Pro Performance has a range of up to 531 km, according to Wolfsburg. However, during our week-long test drive, average consumption was between 18 to 20 kWh, with the range fluctuating from 430 to 450 km. Still, with up to 150 kW charge capacity, the EV can be recharged to 80% (390 km) in only 30 minutes.
Even with large, different-sized 19” wheels and wide rims, the ID.4 was comfortable on the road, quiet, and relaxed inside the cabin, and it had a smooth ride quality (except over short ruts on broken tar surfaces). A low centre of gravity, good weight distribution, and a sophisticated suspension system, make it well-balanced and easy to drive, with outstanding handling traits.
The ID.4’s subtle energy recuperation system works well for coasting during overrun phases, but – in contrast to most other EVs – it needs much more servo assistance under braking, as it is way too soft. You really need to push the pedal hard to get the SUV to stop, and as this does not instil confidence, it compels you to brake earlier.
LAST WORD
In terms of design, features, performance, and build quality, the Tiguan-sized ID.4 Pro Performance ticks all the right boxes, but pricing still needs to be resolved as affordability will be key. Currently, the plan is to offer the ID.4 for sale starting in 2026, but considering that more and more EVs are entering the marketplace at competitive prices, this may be too late.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © VOLKSWAGEN SOUTH AFRICA
