'An EV for everyone': Volkswagen ID.4 review

The Volkswagen ID.4 has been the German automaker's best-selling model in the Korean market since 2024.

Since its domestic debut in 2022, the ID.4 has surpassed 7,000 cumulative sales — but what keeps buyers coming back? On Thursday, this reporter drove the ID.4 Pro trim for 150 kilometers across the Greater Seoul area to find out. The short answer: the ID.4 feels like a car anyone can drive easily and enjoyably, thanks to its strong practicality and stable performance. If Volkswagen's name carries the meaning of "a car for the people," the ID.4 earns the title of "an electric vehicle for everyone."

The ID.4's design is immediately defined by its rounded, soft silhouette. The smooth, flowing body lines extend to the headlights, which are sculpted in a circular, three-dimensional form — giving the car a friendlier, almost playful look compared with the sharp, angular styling favored by many newer models. A front light strip and sculpted rear lamps add a contemporary edge.

Step into the driver's seat and the first word that comes to mind is "practicality." The large steering wheel does not obstruct the instrument cluster and proved comfortable during cornering. The side mirrors are generously sized relative to the body, providing a wide field of view while driving.

Touch sliders for cabin temperature and media volume sit beneath the 12.9-inch center display, making adjustments easy without diving into menus. Hazard lights and steering wheel adjustment retain physical buttons, keeping those functions intuitive. The overall impression is of a car that does not sacrifice usability for innovation — blending new features with familiar controls in a sensible balance.

Calling out "Hi, IDA" prompted an immediate response from the advanced voice assistant. The system handles phone calls, radio, media, ambient lighting, air conditioning and driving mode changes through natural conversation.

One drawback is the absence of a built-in navigation system, requiring the driver to connect Android Auto or Apple CarPlay every time they get in. The voice assistant also cannot execute map- or navigation-based commands such as finding nearby restaurants.

On the road, the ID.4's solid fundamentals came through clearly. Acceleration was smooth and composed, while Sport mode delivered a more immediate surge that added driving excitement. The suspension absorbed road imperfections well, softening the impact on rough surfaces, and body roll was minimal even through steep winding sections. Wind noise at highway speeds was the one area where refinement fell slightly short.

The 2025 ID.4 produces a maximum output of 286 horsepower and peak torque of 55.6 kg·m — improvements of 40 percent and 75 percent, respectively, over the previous model. It accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 km/h. Range on a single charge is 424 kilometers.

The adaptive cruise control, which supports stop-and-go driving, held its lane steadily and moved smoothly through traffic. The steering wheel's sensitivity meant a light touch was all that was needed to keep the system engaged. Releasing the wheel triggered a dashboard prompt, and after 12 seconds the car issued a warning through red lighting and an audible alert.

The advanced driver-assistance suite IQ.Drive includes lane-keeping assist, a front collision warning and emergency braking system, a side blind-spot detection system and a rear cross-traffic alert.

The ID.4's official prices are 52.99 million won ($39,600) for the Pro Light trim and 60.41 million won for the Pro trim. After applying the national subsidy of 4.32 million won — among the highest available for imported electric passenger vehicles — plus a local government subsidy of 1.29 million won based on Seoul rates and an electric vehicle transition support payment, buyers can purchase the car in the mid-to-upper 40 million won range.

The ID.4 looks set to be a strong option for drivers considering an electric vehicle who prioritize solid fundamentals and everyday practicality.