Review and test Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4: which is the better choice?

Volkswagen has launched two models as the spearhead of its electric strategy: the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4. The first is in the compact segment and the second is closer to an MPV or even an SUV. The Volkswagen ID.4, with a 77 kWh battery, has a WLTP range of 512 km, while the Volkswagen ID.3 with 58 kWh has a WLTP range of 415 km. Which one should you choose? What does each one offer?

Design: fluid lines in two sizes

Both models share a very similar front end, but the ID.3 boasts a much more avant-garde compact design than its larger sibling. The alloy wheels, which are 18 inches as standard, stand out in particular.

Externally, the ID.4 is an SUV that also reminds us of an MPV, standing out for the fluidity of its exterior lines, which undoubtedly aim for a good aerodynamic coefficient. On the side profile, the huge wheel arches stand out, with a certain SUV style, housing 20-inch wheels (very attractive but not very efficient in an electric vehicle).

Finally, at the rear, the huge tailgate stands out, with easy access to the boot for loading bulky items, and when night falls, its LED headlights, with lines that extend across the entire tailgate, are the stars. Another design detail is the door handles, which do not have the classic mechanical operation.

The ID family of Volkswagen has an interior designed with a minimalist concept, perhaps even too much for the taste of the writer, but that does not detract from the fact that the interior of both is elegant, avant-garde and simple.

The only thing you will see is a minimal instrument console, which also incorporates the gear selector on one side and the 5.4-inch multimedia screen that is the control and information centre of the car. The rest is a spacious cabin, with a low centre console full of compartments for leaving your things.

Although the minimalist concept gives the interior a modern touch and does away with all kinds of distractions or huge, impractical button panels, in my opinion.

The instrument screen has very little information; in fact, you can only view: the driver assistance systems (left block), speed-range in km-selected gear-traffic signs (central block) and navigation instructions (right block). I miss information from the on-board computer (which is available on the multimedia screen) or even a little more information about charging or electrical management (but this is a personal opinion).

On the other hand, the multimedia screen brings together a lot of information, being very complete, because you will even have to look at the partial odometer there. From the navigator to the on-board computer or energy management, everything is on the same screen. It is fully touch-sensitive, although the touch of the lower touch buttons should be improved, as they resist the first touch.

The driving position is comfortable, with independent armrests on each front seat, good visibility and comfort, with a standout sense of space.

The interior difference between the Volkswagen ID.3 and the ID.4 lies in the space in the rear seats, the larger sibling being very spacious, with dimensions typical of a saloon and a roominess that is also reflected in its boot (543 litres).

VW iD.4, interior space

The rear seats of the ID.3 are adequate, with space similar to that of a compact car and a boot with a capacity of 385 litres.

ID.3 boot

Both models have decent materials; much of the dashboard is soft, padded plastic, although the doors and centre console feature glossy black plastic, which is so off-putting in terms of quality.

Another curious detail is the window controls, where the driver’s door has only two controls and a button marked “REAR“. This button acts as a switch to select which windows we want to operate (too modern and not very practical; four controls on the driver’s door would undoubtedly be better, to operate whichever window we want without having to press any prior button).

On the positive side, in addition to comfort, the outstanding interior soundproofing stands out; few electric models have similar soundproofing, a characteristic shared by both the ID.3 and the ID.4.

Engine and performance: 204 CV to the rear axle and a differentiated behaviour

The Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 have an engine that delivers the same power, 204 CV, with both driving the rear wheels. There is a version of the ID.4 GTX that offers up to 299 CV.

Although they start with the same power, the behaviour of each is different. The ID.3 moves with much more ease and the power delivery is noticeable; it is a car that pushes hard and is very agile, even fun, regardless of the driving mode selected. Among its performance figures, the 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and a torque of 310 Nm stand out.

The ID.4 has strength, but it does not move with the same agility or immediacy as its smaller sibling, moreover, its dimensions are noticeable and its behaviour seeks comfort rather than sportiness. Among its rather modest performance figures, apart from the instant torque typical of electric cars, the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds stands out.

Behaviour: comfort above all

Both models stand out for a high level of comfort, thanks to outstanding interior insulation, which is not very common in this type of electric vehicle.

Alongside the good interior insulation, the ID.4 prioritises comfort above all. This is evident in its smoothness when covering kilometres on any type of road, standing out for its gentle ride.

Both have an outstanding turning circle, which allows both the ID.3 and the ID.4 to manoeuvre in very favourable conditions in cities or tight spaces.

The sporty side is represented by the ID.3, which undoubtedly brings a smile to your face in terms of acceleration and agility, both in thrust and in ease of manoeuvring.

Range, battery and charging: two battery sizes, with very similar range between them

VW iD.3 with an almost full battery

The ID.3, with a 58 kWh battery, reaches up to 400 km of range on the WLTP cycle. According to the official specifications, the 77 kWh net battery of the ID.4 allows it to reach up to 500 km of range on the WLTP cycle. Both figures are difficult to achieve, but not impossible.

The key lies in consumption, since the ID.3 can be very efficient in urban environments, not exceeding 14 kWh/100 km, whereas the ID.4 rarely drops below 16.5 kWh/100 km.

VW iD.4 with an almost full battery

In practice, when we get into each car, the ID.3 shows a theoretical range of 330 km and the ID.4 400 km. The average consumption over the more than 2,000 kilometres driven was 17 kWh for the ID.3 and 19 kWh for the ID.4.

Consumption becomes more demanding on motorways, where the two level out. With the ID.3, on our trip from Madrid > Nigrán > Madrid (600 km) we had to stop twice for a total of 1 hour 30 minutes, with an average consumption of 19 kWh, which in practice means 250 km of range on the motorway at 120 km/h.

With the ID.4 we had to stop twice to charge, for a total of 2 hours, since the average consumption at 120 km/h was 24.9 kWh. This gives a theoretical motorway range of 300 km. In short, just 50 km of difference in motorway range between the two.

As for charging, if you find a powerful charger, you can charge at 125 kW, going from 0 to 80% in just 40 minutes (provided the battery is at its optimal temperature, because on the road we carried out several tests and the car would not accept more than 50 kW). With AC charging, the maximum power is 11 kW, requiring 7.5 hours for a full charge.

Without a doubt, outside the city and on the road, the ID.4 is penalised on the motorway by its dimensions, and the 20-inch wheels certainly don’t help.

Equipment

The first thing to analyse is the various driver assistance systems they have, such as the lane assist and traffic sign recognition. The latter is combined with adaptive cruise control, which not only adapts speed to the signs but also uses navigation to detect junctions or bends and adjust speed accordingly.

Both share a minimalist multimedia system, which works correctly. However, the sound system deserves a separate mention, with only six speakers in the ID.4 and no speakers in the rear doors of the ID.3, something that should not happen nowadays.

Opinion and price of the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4: which one should we go for?

If we had to summarise what sets each of these two electric cars apart, the ID.3 stands out for its practicality and a range similar to the ID.4 with a smaller battery, but in return the ID.4 offers an enormous interior space. It is a very roomy, especially comfortable car with a good boot.

Interestingly, on the motorway, since the ID.3 has lower consumption, the overall range figures are very similar, both being able to cover more than 250 km at 120 km/h. That said, in terms of driving feel, the ID.3 in particular is livelier, more agile and more fun, partly thanks to its size.

That said, I was surprised, as a true lover of sound, that both rely on such basic speaker systems for the price range they occupy, something they should review or even offer a more complete system as an option.

The price range starts at 43,765 euros for the Volkswagen ID.3 and rises to 48,755 euros for the ID.4 (although with more standard equipment).

Photos | Test team