The Volkswagen ID.4 Pro is the brand’s latest electric vehicle (EV). It sounds so official in name, but much like a mouse, it won’t break the sound barrier. There’s no vrrpah! to stir the soul. Having relished the acoustics of the fiery Polo GTI and Golf 8.5 GTI, this was quite the contrast. Yet sometimes silence is bliss.
As one would imagine, the shift to electric cars is well underway. As a car enthusiast, it struck me that my future children will likely grow up embracing EVs They may never experience the roar of the monstrous Audi RSQ8, much to the neighbours' relief. And what about the joys of a Golf 8 GTI? It might be gone by then; an electric GTI doesn’t sound all that promising.
Thankfully, I still have time to enjoy the soundtrack of internal-combustion-powered cars. However, the future is undoubtedly electric, and Volkswagen first gave us a glimpse of that future in 2022 with the e-Golf 7 teaser.
The demonstration was meant to showcase Volkswagen’s electric ambitions, but its range of just under 200km set off a few alarm bells. Range anxiety is real, and when it comes to EVs, proper planning is essential, unless you’re prepared to push your pretty new car.
I’ve come close. Kidding.
On range, the ID.4 Pro promises up to 500km on a full charge. Power comes from a 77kWh battery pack producing a healthy 150kW and 310Nm of torque.
It’s quick, although not quite as rapid as the ludicrously fast Volvo EC40 Recharge Twin Motor. The ID.4 Pro completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds, while the Volvo manages the same task in just 4.9 seconds.
On the road, the Volkswagen feels smooth and accomplished. It never feels harsh, and its ride quality is both compliant and comfortable. The silence is indeed bliss.
The ID.4 also looks stunning in the metal and attracts just the right amount of attention. It’s larger than photographs suggest and feels purposefully built. Riding on 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in meaty rubber, it appears ready to tackle less-than-perfect road surfaces with ease.
You’ll also notice the robust body cladding and generous dimensions, giving it a presence reminiscent of the Tiguan Allspace.
The front fascia is striking, featuring Matrix LED headlights, a clean bumper design and an illuminated VW badge that adds a premium touch. Its sporty, wagon-like silhouette is another plus, helping create an airy, spacious cabin. The boot offers a generous 543 litres of luggage capacity, expanding to 1,573 litres with the rear seats folded.
Although local specifications are still unconfirmed, our test unit in ID.4 Pro trim featured a comprehensive list of premium equipment. Highlights included adaptive cruise control and digital controls for the ambient lighting and climate system. It also includes a rear-view camera, though it lacks a head-up display.
There’s certainly enough room for all the spices one could bring back while gliding silently home from Durban.
I wish I had more time to experience the ID.4 on a longer road trip. Still, I managed a few leisurely outings, including a run from Buccleuch to Harrie’s Pancakes in Pretoria. It’s the sort of relaxed, refined EV the tannies would undoubtedly approve of.
While enjoying a delicious pancake, I found myself reflecting on the ID.4’s efficiency. During my time with the vehicle, it returned an average energy consumption of around 13kWh/100km, which is not too shabby.
In terms of rivals, the ID.4 Pro goes up against the BMW iX3, Audi e-tron and Volvo EC40 Recharge.
Volkswagen South Africa has yet to confirm local pricing and final specifications. The ID.4 Pro was expected to launch this year, but I suppose 2027 might be the year; for now, I’m simply glad I had the opportunity to sample it.
Prices in Germany start at around €40,000, which translates to approximately R800,000. The call towards electrification is slowly growing louder, and I think I’m warming to it. Although when it comes to EVs, one thing remains true: you have to pay to play.
©HigherEducationMedia