The all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 has been earmarked for a South African introduction for some time now and the wait is over. Well, almost…

Volkswagen this week announced the deployment of a 10-strong ID.4 test fleet that will be made available to the media, dealers and other selected organisations or individuals with their feedback guiding the brand’s decisions on its EV roll-out in the coming years.

Timing is important, but is the Volkswagen ID.4 a good fit for South Africa?

Volkswagen is a major global EV powerhouse and you might be wondering why such a conservative approach is being implemented for South Africa when newer EV products than the ID.4 are being introduced regularly. The Wolfsburg-based marque is not alone in taking this route. Remember, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia are all significant players with EV products available elsewhere, but not yet in South Africa. 

Volkswagen believes that South African EV sales will escalate significantly in the coming years and predicts that the 10 000 units per year mark will be achieved by 2030. The increase, the brand says, will be driven by greater affordability, rising fuel costs and improved charging infrastructure. Regarding the latter point, Volkswagen points out that in 2021 South Africa had 1 charging station for every 8 electric cars, but that ratio had improved to 4 charging stations per electric car in 2023.

Still, the brand believes there are many unknowns about EVs. This fact, coupled with some logistical and technical challenges to get the right vehicle, in the right specification for South Africa has resulted in Volkswagen’s cautious EV roll-out.

Let’s take the ID.4 as an example; it’s obvious that South Africans prefer a crossover/SUV body shape, not only because they offer ‘fashionable style’, but also for practical considerations such as ride height and interior flexibility. But the ID.4 in its current guise is not deemed suitable for regular gravel-road use, which will be a problem for many South Africans. This type of technical feedback is being sent back to Germany and will ensure that South African-spec ID.4s, once launched, are fully ready for South African roads.

What’s the ID.4 like to drive?

The test drive of the ID.4 coincided with the first big Cape winter storm of 2024, bringing incessant rain, flooding and strong winds. Despite lacking all-wheel drive capability, the smoothly sculpted ID.4 handled the conditions with aplomb.

The specification selected for South Africa is the ID.4 Pro Performance, which features a 77kWh battery and motor driving the rear axle. Power is rated at 150 kW and 310 Nm, certainly enough to deliver nippy performance. Volkswagen claims a zero to 100 kph time of 8.5 seconds and a 160 kph top speed.

Read David Taylor’s in-depth international launch drive here

Volkswagen claims a combined consumption figure of 16.5 kWh/100km, which as with almost all petrol-fuelled vehicles, is optimistic. Real-world consumption will depend heavily on driving conditions, load, and driving style.

The claimed electric range is around the 500 km mark, which is decent. In addition to the general increase in charging stations dotted across South Africa, Volkswagen also noted that the availability of more powerful (DC) charging stations is improving. So, while you can top-up the ID.4 using AC charging (up to 11kW), the good news is that the ID.4 is fast-charging compatible and can charge up to 150 kW, which will charge the ID.4 Pro from zero to 80% in 40 minutes!

On the road, the ID.4 Pro is a relaxed, smooth car to drive, with better ride quality than you’d expect of a vehicle fitted with large 19-inch alloy wheels. Underpinned by the same MEB architecture as the smaller ID.3, its exterior dimensions are similar to that of the firm’s Tiguan family car.

What’s the ID.4’s interior like?

Inside, the EV architecture has allowed Volkswagen’s designers to create a generously spacious and practical cabin with a big boot (543L) and lots of legroom, front and rear.

Unlike some electric cars, the ID.4’s facia avoids being overly futuristic just for the sake of it. A neat digital display in front of the driver relays the most pertinent information, while the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system will be familiar to most Volkswagen owners. 

The specification chosen for the vehicles in the newly launched ID.4 test fleet is equally generous with niceties such as adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, park assist and 30-colour ambient lighting.

Perhaps a feature that Volkswagen might want to consider adding is an automated tailgate, as the rear hatch is rather heavy and cumbersome to lift. It’s worth noting that the vehicles in the test fleet are pre-facelift examples and the recently facelifted ID.4 will eventually become available locally with an upgraded infotainment system.

When will the ID.4 go on sale in South Africa?

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can park an ID.4 in your driveway. Volkswagen’s current plan is to introduce the ID.4 in South Africa in 2025, but initially only via a lease agreement. Customers who would prefer to buy the ID.4 conventionally will be able to do so in 2026. 

As far as pricing is concerned, Volkswagen hasn’t yet released indicative pricing but the firm concedes that affordability will be vital to unlock meaningful sales when the ID.4 does go on sale.