[Taboleo] Perfect as Your First Electric Car in Life... Volkswagen ID.4

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 is the second most subsidized imported electric vehicle. The Pro model was eligible for a subsidy of 5.8 million KRW. The reason it is written in the past tense is that from the 8th, the subsidy increased by 440,000 KRW to 6.24 million KRW. The vehicle receiving the highest subsidy is the GM Bolt EV·EUV (6.4 million KRW), which is only 260,000 KRW more than the ID.4. The vehicle price for the Pro trim is 59.9 million KRW, but with local government subsidies, it can be purchased for 52.13 million KRW in Seoul. In Geochang, Gyeongnam, which offers the highest local subsidies, the price of this vehicle is in the low 40 million KRW range (43.86 million KRW).

Volkswagen ID.4 [Photo by Volkswagen Korea]

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After test driving, it was an attractive vehicle with driving feel close to an internal combustion engine car and a reasonable driving range. With a reasonable price and clean design, I would recommend it to those considering their first imported electric vehicle.

This vehicle was first launched in Korea in September last year as the 2022 model. With this year’s model update, the maximum driving range per charge increased from 405 km to 421 km (combined standard), an increase of 16 km. The driving range in low temperatures (below -6.7 degrees Celsius) improved from 288 km to 292 km. Energy efficiency also improved from 4.7 km/kWh to 4.9 km/kWh. The actual fuel efficiency was measured at 5.6 km/kWh after driving 323 km over 6 hours on city roads and highways. This may be because most of the driving was done in B (Brake) gear, which maximizes regenerative braking (a process where releasing the accelerator pedal applies stronger braking and converts kinetic energy into electrical energy to recharge the battery).

The actual fuel efficiency was measured at 5.6 km/kWh after traveling 323 km over 6 hours through both urban and highway roads.
[Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@]

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Here lies another advantage of this vehicle. Even in B gear, which maximizes regenerative braking, the characteristic jerkiness was relatively low. Compared to Hyundai and Kia electric vehicles’ regenerative braking levels, it was less jerky than Level 1. Hyundai and Kia classify regenerative braking into four levels, from i-Pedal mode (which allows one-pedal driving) to Level 0, which feels closest to an internal combustion engine vehicle. Driving in the normal Drive mode (D) gear simulates the feel of an internal combustion engine vehicle. For example, when braking slowly to stop, the vehicle does not stop abruptly but glides to a stop, a sensation that could be felt in the ID.4.

Volkswagen ID.4 Interior
[Photo by Volkswagen Korea]

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The interior and exterior design are overall clean. The philosophy of ‘minimalism’ stood out, such as minimizing buttons. There is no button on the driver’s seat to directly lower the rear window. To lower it, you must first press the button labeled ‘REAR’ above the front seat window buttons, then press the window button. The driver’s instrument cluster is 5.3 inches, which may be somewhat small, but since it is visible at a glance inside the steering wheel, it was not particularly frustrating. It was somewhat disappointing that the shift lever is attached next to this instrument cluster. It would have been better if it were a column-type lever directly attached to the steering wheel.

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