2024 Volkswagen ID.4 & ID.5: EVs get more power and range to battle Model Y

Volkswagen has detailed an early-life tech tweak for its ID.4 and ID.5 electric medium SUV range, just two years after their market launch.

There are no changes to the metal outside. Instead, Volkswagen has redesigned the HMI that now runs through a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen.

VW has also slotted more efficient motors into the Pro and GTX models – as Skoda did with the Enyaq – enhancing outputs (by up to 60kW/235Nm) and improving the WLTP driving range by up to 17km.

The ID.4 SUV and ID.5 coupe SUV will launch in Australia in July 2024 in updated guise with a target starting price of the Pure Performance around $60,000 – or on par with the combustion-engined Tiguan.

“Our customers can look forward to exceptional technical performance with the new ID.4 and the new ID.5. Software and infotainment are state-of-the-art. In addition, there are extensive assistance systems that leave nothing to be desired.

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“The further improved ID.4 and ID.5 models are at the top of the segment with their new technologies and the acknowledged balance of driving, comfort and spaciousness”, said member of the board of management for sales, marketing and aftersales Imelda Labbé.

This update is crucial for Volkswagen’s performance in Europe. The Tesla Model Y is Europe’s best-selling vehicle this year, proving electric family SUVs have huge sales potential, yet the ID.4 doesn’t even feature in the top 10. VW has even had to scale back production of its electric cars due to low demand [↗].

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Changes to the ID.4’s infotainment

Volkswagen’s calling it a ‘brand new generation’ and it’s built around a new 12.9-inch touchscreen (previously 12.0 inches).

The new software has been designed to be more intuitive to use; starting with illuminated sliders for the HVAC controls, while further settings such as seat heating settings and recirculation look to remain gathered in a persistent bar at the bottom of the screen. There are menu shortcuts at the top right, too.

The head-up display has been revised, as has the ‘ID’ digital driver’s display with the drive-mode selector moved from its awkward position on the cowl to a stalk behind the steering wheel. Touch capacitive buttons feature on the steering wheel, unlike the updated ID.3.

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VW has put work into the ID.4 and ID.5’s voice control, with more natural responses as well as the integration of online weather information, sporting fixtures, and even stock market prices for conducting business^(TM).

A new 10-speaker 480-watt Harman Kardon sound system becomes available with Relax, Pure, Speech, and Vibrant sound settings.

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New motors improve efficiency and performance

The ID.4 and ID.5 Pure models are unchanged, with a 125kW rear-mounted motor driven by a 52kWh battery for 345km WLTP driving range.

It’s the ID.4 and ID.5 Pro that benefit from most of the changes, with power for the rear-drive variants up 60kW to 210kW, and torque now at a substantial 545Nm (from 310Nm).

The sporty GTX models climb by 30kW, too, now rated at 250kW. This drops their sprint from 0-100km/h to 5.4 seconds – a 0.8-second improvement. Pro 4Motion all-wheel drive variants also output 210kW, up 15kW from before.

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Despite picking up a bunch more grunt, the more efficient motors also improve range – the ID.4 is now rated at 550km (up 17km) in combined WLTP testing, and the ID.5 556km (up 11km).

Pro and GTX variants fitted with the 77kWh battery are able to charge at 175kW DC rather than 135kW, meaning you’ll be able to add 178km of driving range in 10 minutes at a suitably powerful ultra-rapid charging station.

Finally, the ID.4 and ID.5 benefit from small tweaks to their chassis, with refined adaptive dampers that feature a broader range between full soft and full hard.

Volkswagen Australia is yet to confirm pricing or the exact launch date for the updated ID.4 and ID.5. Expect the range to start as low as $60,000-$65,000 and climb to $90,000 for the flagship GTX grades when they arrive in July 2024.