The two most important features an electric car should have are a long range and 4-wheel drive. Both parts ensure that you get all the way through. The latter can also save lives.
Yes please, both
When we drove the ID.4 three years ago, it was a "long range" version without 4-wheel drive. The ID.4 GTX had just been released on the market and it was said that the 4 wheel drive would steal valuable range. I then concluded that range trumped 4-wheel drive. But the range of the ID.4 GTX is actually quite sufficient, so then it must be permissible to say "yes thank you" to both parts?
There were a couple of things I wanted to look into with the ID.4 GTX.
No snow
The only car-sharing service that had an ID.4 with 4-wheel drive in its stable was Hertz Bildeling. After a short bus ride, I found a free rental car while the wife was on a shopping trip with the family's "primary car". I was only going out on a small errand as an excuse to rent, but took an extra long way home while the snowflakes fluttered in the air. This time the snow wouldn't settle in the lowlands, but a couple of weeks ago the 4-wheel drive could really have had the chance to show what it's worth.
Revisiting the ID.4 gave me the opportunity to investigate something else. I like to experience how cars enter bends on the road. A good car can be made to “sit” at the entrance to the bend so that it almost steers itself through. Three years ago I drove the ID.4 for the first time. Then I had to put the car in “Sport” driving mode to get the car into the correct lane. The “fault” – if you can put it that way – lies in the “Comfort” driving program.
I didn't have to go fast to get the same feeling in the GTX. At 60 km/h on the old Mossevei along Lake Gjersjøen, I got back the old memories. "Comfort" is not suitable for such country roads, but in "Sport" everything worked much better. Driving mode selection can affect throttle response, steering resistance, regenerative braking, 4-wheel drive and – in cars with DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) – also the suspension. I think "Comfort" could have benefited from being less "Eco". If the driving program cuts the engines' torque when I slow down into the turn, it can affect how the car takes the turn. Late throttle response can also destroy what I would call driving pleasure during active road driving.
When I took over the car, I also noticed that it was already in Sport mode by the previous driver(s). Thumbs up! Feel free to post a comment about your own experiences.
Let me also add that the ID.4 GTX has a driving program called "Traction" which provides maximum 4-wheel grip. Just that can save you a lot of trouble during the winter, especially if you drive and park in Oslo. You get the best effect if you put the car in Traction before you start spinning.
Regenerative braking
In cars from Volkswagen, you can choose for yourself whether you want regenerative braking or not. In demanding winter conditions, it can be good. Last year, the NAF stated that you should not use regenerative braking on smooth roads as it can cause you to lose grip. When the gear lever is in "D", the car rolls freely when you lift the accelerator. If you push the gear selector forward one more time, "B" is selected, where the car instead brakes and returns power to the batteries. Since I'm used to riding with one pedal, I prefer "B". I doubt that the moderate regenerative braking can cause problems on the smooth.
As a general rule, it can pay to drive in "D" on motorways and "B" in the city. The latter means that you can drive smoothly through intersections without jolts and jolts, like an old taxi. By the way, have you noticed how popular the ID.4 GTX has become in the taxi industry?
Family car
As a family car, a long range and 4-wheel drive is not enough. You must also have place. I think many have traded in their old Passat or Tiguan for a new ID.4. They are unlikely to have any negative experiences with regard to space. With the possibility of fitting a roof box and 4-wheel drive, the ID.4 GTX is a great cabin car. The GTX can tow a trailer of 1200 kg, 200 kg more than cars with rear-wheel drive.
Range
The range on the GTX is still lower than on rear-wheel drive models, but approximately 500 km on paper gives a real range of approximately 400 km - which means that you should charge around 300 km, or after 3 hours on the road. This is on a par with the best - and places no limitations either in daily use or on long-distance driving. The stated range of "my" car is 496 km. On my trip I used a decent 22 percent of the battery capacity – 90 km on dry roads with an outside temperature of 0 degrees and 21,5 degrees inside.
The 2024 model gets new engines
"My" ID.4 was registered earlier this year. If you order a new ID.4 now, you will get the 2024 model. From what I can see, there are no external changes, but both electric motors should be upgraded – more horsepower and better range, specifically 340 hp instead of 299 and a range of 512 km instead of 496. You also get a new heated steering wheel , new gear selector and new rims. The infotainment system should have had a larger screen and perhaps better functionality. Today's system has received a lot of criticism from the motoring press for, among other things, being too slow. In any case, I managed to select a radio station and get the navigation system to guide me back to the car's fixed parking space.
For those who wonder if 4-wheel drive has anything to do with winter driving, just think of rutted, poorly plowed roads with grooves of snow and slush between the wheel tracks and oncoming traffic. Good trip with traction on all wheels!
Fact ID.4 GTX (2023)
Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 458 / 185 / 164 cm
Wheelbase: 277 cm
Net weight: 2216 kg (without driver)
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight w/brakes: 1200 kg
- without brakes: 750 kg
Luggage compartment: 543 litres
Roof load: 75 kg
Drivetrain
Battery pack: Lithium Ion, 77 Kwh from LG Chem, Poland
Engine 1: Electric, located in the rear axle, 204 hp, 545 Nm
Engine 2: Electric, located in front, 109 hp, 134 Nm
Total power: 299 HP
Gearbox: Stepless.
4-wheel drive.
Performances
Top speed: 180 km/h
0-100: 6,2 seconds
Range
WLTP: 496 km
Own measurement: 391 – 409 km, quiet country road at 0 degrees.
Tires
Type: Winter tires without studs
Brand: Yokohama IceGUARD G075
Price
ID.4 GTX: 509 (promotional offer)
About the car
Place of production: Emden, Germany
Owner: Hertz Car sharing
Model: 2023
Mileage: 9259
Km driven: 90
Smiley faces and surfing
🙂 Range, 4-wheel drive, space
🙁 Vague steering and slow throttle response in Comfort
Sources
Vegvesen.no
Volkswagen.no
See
Hertzbildeling.no
Volkswagen.no
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