From record production volumes to strong export performance, Volkswagen Group Africa’s (VWGA) first year as the Home of Polo has been a year of achievement.
Though VWGA’s Plant Kariega has been building the popular Polo since 1996 and the Polo Vivo since 2010, it has only been the self-proclaimed Home of Polo since 1 July 2024. This was when the plant officially became the sole exporter (for left- and right-hand drive European and Asia-Pacific markets) of the Polo in the Volkswagen Group, sending this hatchback to 38 markets around the world.
In fact, Polos account for 88% of exported vehicles through the Port of Port Elizabeth. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 119 336 Polos have been exported from Kariega to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Of these, the biggest receivers of Polos are Germany, France and the United Kingdom. On top of this, the Polo was South Africa’s most exported vehicle in 2024.
During this same 12-month period, the plant celebrated a record production volume. A total of 167 084 vehicles were built in Kariega in 2024, of which 131 485 units were Polos for export, and 35 599 vehicles were Polos and Polo Vivos for the local market. A record-breaking 13 930 Polos were built in October 2024 alone.
The Polo also performed strongly in the local market last year, selling 12 253 units and being named the Top Locally Manufactured Vehicle of the Year at the Naamsa Accelerator Awards in October 2024.
“The Polo is unquestionably an icon, and we are proud to call Plant Kariega its home,” said Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director at VWGA. “Our first year as the sole exporter of the Polo was certainly a strong one, and we plan to build on the foundation of this success continuously and consistently, with the Polo, Vivo and our upcoming third model, the Tengo.”
When Volkswagen South Africa made the decision to not bring any of the entry level models of the Golf 8 into the country, it did come as a surprise. The VW Golf has been a cult classic of the hatchback scene dating from the 80's till present time in the country and while the GTI remains the most popular model, the others did have their space in the market. Looking at sales figures of the Golf 7 and 7.5, it was clear that people still loved the range topping models over the smaller engine ones, so it was maybe on that premise that VWSA made the decision, however with the Golf 8 R model only coming after what felt like decades to reach our shores, the Golf 8.5 was already been mentioned across the motoring forums. I was fortunate enough to spend time with both, the Golf 8 GTI and the Golf 8 R, both brilliantly engineered performance cars and really ushered a new era for the Golf brand but with the prices being quite steep on both, the market cried out for the lower end engines. The Golf 8 did have some teething issues, like the introduction of the haptic touch buttons to the steering wheel and the infotainment screen was quite small compared to what was offered by competitors, much of these complaints were flooding the online social platforms and the guys at VW HQ were taking notes, so when they could launch the face-lift 8.5, these could be addressed. Earlier this year VWSA made an announcement at their Kariega plant that the Golf 8.5 TSI would be making our shores in the second quarter of the year, but then they tuned the tables on us with no word on the GTI and R. Anyway, the Golf 8.5 TSI made it's way into my drive way not too long ago and I got to spend a week with it, here's how it went.
DESIGN
The design received some tweaks compared to the Golf 8, and with the R Line kit made the overall package look very sleek. In fact, many thought it was a Golf R as I drove past them, the only giveaway would be the lack of "Vrrpha". The LED headlights have gotten much sleeker and sharpened, on the top of the range IQ Light LED matrix headlights it incorporates a new high-performance main beam with a range of up to 500m. The the front end also looking slimmer than the 8 with the solid light bar that links the two headlights together, the main defining features has to be the Volkswagen logo, which is illuminated for the first time on the Golf. The R-Line kit really brings an aggressive facia up front with a large diffuser and angular air pods on either side of the car. The boldness extends over to the profile of the car with a new range of rims available, this one came fitted with the Leeds alloy rim that has a 5 spoke detail with mixture of black and silver, there is an optional extra upgrade to the York rim but this one looks ace on it. On the inside, much remains the same but the two major talking points see's the return of actual buttons to the steering wheel and the large infotainment screen which I will touch on later in the blog.
PERFORMANCE
This looks every part of a performance hatch back but it has one of the most frugal engines under the hood, VW's 1.4-litre TSI has been one of the best engines made on the market for a number of years now. Especially in cars like the Golf is where it shines the most, producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, it has some grunt to it off-the-line even though the 0-100km/h time isn't much to write home about at 8.5 seconds, however the car really is a dream to drive. It feels so smooth on the road and effortless on the highways, all this while being efficient on petrol at the same time. In the 7 days with the Golf 8.5 TSI I drove about 1,300km, one trip which was about 840km return, the car managed a respectable 6.3L per 100km, matching that of the brochure, it was the first time I ever managed to get exactly what the OEM said it's average is, in fact I could have gotten lower, but I did quite a bit of over taking of slow trucks and harsh breaking for cattle on the road. I expected a lot in terms of economy from this car but getting close to 900km on a single tank of fuel (50L tank) was not what I was expecting. Colour me impressed!
COMFORT
The Golf 8.5 has all the creature comforts that you would normally expect in a German car, the high-gloss black finishes are nice to look at but do attract dust particles like crazy. The large infotainment screen which measures in at 10.3-inches won't be getting any "tiny" comments from me. The high-definition screen with VW's user friendly UI is easy to use and setting up your mobile apps has never been easier, you can just plug your device in via the USB C port and it will instantly pick up what OS you're running and prompt you on your device if you'd like to cast to the screen and whether you'd like a wired or wireless connection. There is a wireless phone charging tray as well as a secondary USB C charging port for the passenger. While the haptic buttons have disappeared from the steering wheel, they still remain there for the climate control which can get annoying when driving and trying to adjust the fan speed and its also present for the optional extra panoramic sunroof. The back seats are pretty comfy and have a decent amount of legroom with their own vent for aircon. The boot space is generous for a hatchback and features the biscuit spare wheel.
VERDICT
Overall this car is a gem, one that truly lives up to the hype and performs exceptionally in every aspect of what a car should be. VW have done a stunning job on the styling and really flys the Golf name badge high. While I understand VW's first stance on not bringing any lower end models of the Golf 8 to SA, seeing how good this car is and the price its coming in at, it makes me wonder if they did bring the 1.4 TSI models, how much more they would have sold. Even the base price of the R-Line+ kit seems pretty attractive to me, and you know you're getting a name you can trust in the motor industry.
Following its premiere in February 2025 at the Volkswagen Indaba in Kariega, the new Volkswagen Golf is now available for sale.
The Volkswagen Golf has a rich history in South Africa, dating back to its 1978 launch with the Mk1 (first generation), which quickly gained acclaim for reliability and performance. Locally assembled at the Volkswagen production plant in Kariega, it became affordable and popular with the South African customers. Its success continued with the launch of the second generation model in 1984, praised for improved quality followed by the third generation in 1993 and fourth generation in 1999, with the latter becoming a top seller in the local market.
The fifth and sixth generation models were introduced with class leading technology and safety, while the seventh generation, launched in 2013, brought further refinement. The Golf’s enduring appeal lies in its blend of quality, performance and design style.
The eight generation model continues this legacy, cementing the Golf as a key model for Volkswagen in South Africa. When the new Golf was launched in South Africa in 2021, it was not offered with the venerable and efficient 1.4 TSI engine variant. However with the introduction of the updated model, the 1.4 TSI engine, producing 110kW has made a return to the lineup to mark the return of the icon.
The new Golf impresses with a next-generation infotainment system, a more intuitive operating concept, a sharper front and rear end design as well as efficient drive systems.
Revamped front and rear and new light design. The new Golf can be recognised by its new front end. Visually defining features include the Volkswagen logo, which is illuminated for the first time on the Golf, and the newly designed LED headlights. The top-of-the-range IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights incorporate a new high-performance main beam with a range of up to 500 m.
The new Golf is available in the Life, Life Plus, R-Line and R-Line Plus equipment lines.
The Golf Life, a perfect blend of style and technology. It features Eco LED headlights for better visibility and efficiency. Stay connected with Wireless App Connect and a Cruise Control System. Inside, it features a 10.3-inch Infotainment Radio, 6-speaker audio system, 10-colour Ambient Lighting Dashboard and 10-inch Integrated Digital Cockpit. The Life derivative comes standard with 16-inch Norfolk alloy wheels.
In addition to the Life standard equipment, the Life Plus derivative features Driver Profile Selection, rear view camera, 30 colour ambient lighting and Art-velours sports comfort seats package.
The R-Line derivative features R-Line seat trim covers with head rest integrated into the seat for a sporty look, body covered bumpers in R-Line style including 17-inch Coventry alloy wheels complimented with LED plus headlamps, Park Assist with Park Distance Control, Progressive steering with sports suspension, Climatronic 3-zone automatic climate control with allergen filter and controls in the rear, keyless entry, Multi-Function heated steering wheel with shifting paddles.
In addition to the R-Line standard features, the R-Line Plus is offered with IQ Matrix LED Headlights with illuminated VW front logo, power adjustable driver seat, active high beam, heated and cooling front seats, Vienna leather seats with R-Line logo in front, padels in brushed stainless steel and 18-inch Leeds alloy wheels.
The new Golf 1.4TSI with 110kW engine is mated to a 8-speed tiptronic transmission. The engine develops maximum torque of 250 Nm available between 1500 – 4000 rpm. The Golf delivers a fuel-efficient 6.3l/100km and accelerates from 0–100 km/h in just 8.5 seconds.
As part of the launch activities, Volkswagen will host a National Dealer Day through our dealer network where customers will get an opportunity to test drive the new entry T-Cross, Tiguan 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TSI in addtion to the Golf 1.4 TSI models.
The Volkswagen Golf comes standard with a 3-year / 120 000 km warranty, 5-year 90 000 km service plan, and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000 km.
Over the December period I got to spend it with the new Volkswagen Tiguan. The third generation of the popular mid-sized family SUV was launched in the country last September but since then not many were to be seen on the roads, well at least here in Durban which has a strong VW presence. I couldn't help wonder why, given its good looks, modern interior, technology packed and great list of safety features, what could have been deterring prospective buyers from buying this car? The previous generation was a firm favourite in the segment, so much so they even brought the performance version Tiguan R which was in high demand. Now many of you must be already saying, "it's because of the price", but Volkswagen SA have done extremely well with the pricing, keeping it relatively equal to the outgoing model, so it definitely couldn't have been that. I was hoping that by spending a month with it, I could nail down the reason, so here's my thoughts that and more importantly, the car itself.
From the day it rolled into my driveway, I was grinning like a child, the Tiguan is a gorgeous looking car but the one that was handed to me, came in the R-Line package in Persimmon Red Metallic paint. It was a looker, with its curvaceous body, sporty lines, mesmerize lights and menacing stance it made sure to get attention wherever I went. The styling, especially on the R Line really gives the overall body a great look, the main focus being the large front grille which almost looks like a mouth open sucking in all the air as you drive. The solid panel grille above that which spans around the front joining the headlamps with the VW emblem in the center. The comments I got about the looks during my time with it were all positive, while it was a modern design its core still remained true to the VW design language. There was nothing extreme to deviate it away from the classic SUV look, unlike what we're seeing coming out of China and that is what the loyal VW customers expect from their brand, something that fits the mold of a family SUV but with that added German robustness.
While the outside drew a lot of attention, its the inside where I spent my time and let me tell you, it was quite a place to be. A fresh new take on an interior from VW with elements borrowed from other newer models like the Golf 8.5 and the Touareg. The first thing that gets your attention is the large infotainment screen, measuring in at 12.9-inch its the main focal point of the cabin. It feels like its floating on the dash and this illusion gets better at night with the ambient lighting which has 30-colours to choose from with a bi-colour display, so the combinations you can play around with really can make your imagination go wild. The instrument cluster is a 10-inch digital cockpit that has the usual VW displays which can be configured and changed from the multi-function steering wheel. I'm really please VW has gone back to conventional buttons here, and not the haptic type that we all loathed on the Golf 8 GTI..... however, they could have designed new buttons and not just lift them up from the previous Tiguan. The steering wheel is nice, being leather wrapped give its that premium feel with perforations where your palms should sit when holding it. While VW have gone back to conventional buttons for the steering wheel, they still chose to keep some haptic sensitive buttons for the volume, climate control and sunroof. The volume can be controlled from the steering wheel so no issues from me thee, however, adjusting the climate control proved to be an annoying task while driving, you require some level of attention to what you're doing which distracts you from the road, same goes for the sunroof wen wanting it in the tilt position, sliding gestures to open and close are fine but trying to get your finger hit dead center to tilt seemed like mission impossible at times.
Other cool tech that came in the Tiguan was the wireless mobile phone connectivity, which is pretty much the norm in any new Volkswagen, the cabin is very minimalist, so there isn't much to play around with apart from the infotainment screen however, VW have added a jog shuttle control which serves a dual purpose, in normal setting its a volume knob, yes, that makes it three ways to control the volume and much better than that haptic sensor thing below the screen and when you push it in, it allows you to select the various driving modes offered. The Tiguan has 4 USB C charging ports, 2 up front that is covered by a flip tray which has the wireless charging mat below and 2 additional USB C ports for the rear passengers. The interior as mentioned is simple but well laid out, my one gripe would be the extensive use of plastics, I realise this might be a mixture of cost cutting and weight saving but especially with the long solid pieces, they tend to creek when driving in hot weather. What I did love is how the ambient lighting is integrated into the dash panels with a matrix like pattern that lights up at night and really adds another element to the interior experience. This model also came with a large panoramic glass sunroof which during summer to have open will give you a nice roast, so I tend to only have the curtain open at night.
Lets talk about the power under the hood, at launch the Tiguan was only launched in the 1.4L TSI Petrol engine, now there is the 2.0L TSI Petrol and 2.0L TDI motors on offer, so my holiday wheels was the 1.4L TSI and while many did ask "Isn't it under powered?", truth be told, for 90% of my driving, it was just fine. On highways when you need that extra oomf it found itself searching for power but with the 7-speed DSG there to optimally change gears, the lack of power was there for just a few seconds. The great thing about the DSG is the way helps the motor get the best from each gear, not over straining the engine and this plays a major role in keeping that fuel economy down. Within the 30 days, I filled five full tanks of fuel, averaging about 52L every time, and I did just over 4000km with it, so giving me about 800km on every time I filled up. That's not bad from a 55L tank with a "small engine that can't cope".
My long distance trip with it to Johannesburg would be the ultimate test for the Tiguan , apart from seeing how the engine coped with the load, it was also a way to test the luggage capacity as it would be up against my mum! Many don't know this but people in Johannesburg don't get anything there, so my mother feels it is her duty to buy everything in Durban to take up for her sisters and my siblings, completely forgetting that we need to carry clothes as well. My plans of carrying my golf clubs with were dashed when I saw the 4 cooler boxes lined up in the passage to be loaded before we hit the road but with 3 luggage bags, an assortment of boxes and the cooler boxes packed in, the automatic tailgate closed without a fuss and it was time to hit the road. Seeing that it was just the three of us traveling, my mother felt that the unused seats in the back also deserved to be filled, so there was more things added to that. With a load, driving up country to higher altitude, the Tiguan felt at ease, with the construction and trucks in KZN, it was difficult to set the cruise control so I waited till we passed halfway to test it out. With all the functions on the steering wheel it was easy to set a speed and with the adaptive technology, also set a following distance to the car in front of you and I let it do the work. While it is a cool feature, it works well when the other drivers on the road know how to drive, I had loads of people cut in front of me which then kicks in the breaking since the minimum distance has been exceed so there were times the car would slow down right to 60kph to maintain that gap but that is no fault of the cars, it's just rather annoying to have that break in momentum.
The comfort of the drive was rather special, the ride quality was smooth with the shocks coping well with the various surfaces it traversed on. The climate control managed the temperature in the cabin but like I said, I had to close the curtain on the sun roof as the sun got quite strong over the Free State. After halfway I thought it would be the best time to test the massaging seats out, to stimulate the blood flow, with the various options of massages and the choice of intensity, this optional extra was becoming my favourite of the car. Applying just the right amount of pressure making your back and shoulders relaxed after a good few hours of driving. Not too relaxing as you don't want to be falling asleep at the wheel now, also it has a time limit so the most you can do is 30 minutes at a time. Overall the trip to and from Joburg with the Tiguan was a great success with all the passengers happy and all the goods delivered safely, on the journey up I averaged 7.2L per 100km and on the way down this dropped to 6.5L per 100km, so pretty efficient if you ask me.
While in Durban, I tend to get up to lots of things, from going to the beach for a run, to playing golf with mates and taking long drives for special lunches and dinners. For this, the Tiguan proved to be a worthy companion as well, rocking up to one of Durban's prestigious golf clubs in the striking looking SUV, it sure did turn some heads, what was even better is that I managed to fit the entire four ball in the car, all four bags and 4 players with ease, no dropping of the seats or anyone sitting cramped up. To say that is impressive is being unkind to the Tiguan, it had many other spectators at the golf club equally impressed. So, again, that luggage compartment of 652L cant pack a lot! With the torque derived from that TSI motor, the car can pull the load too.
Overall my 30 days with the Tiguan was faultless to say the least, while there were niggles that I picked up with the quality of certain materials and the slight lag of power on highway driving, I don't see that as major contributors to the low sales. I personally think it is the general consumer thinking that the 1.4L TSI engine is inadequate for their requirements so they were waiting for the 2.0L options to come out. While this may get more sales, the major issue VW and most of the other European brands are facing is competition from the East. The Chinese have infiltrated the market tenfolds with new brands coming in every week it seems, with each one offering more for less than the other. While these cars do offer a lot for a small price tag, it still is very early to tell if they will be worth it in the long run. With trusted names like VW, you still have peace of mind knowing you have a solid German vehilce, and the loyalist will agree but when push comes to shove, if you can be saving yourself an extra R6,000 a on a car installment, the answer is a no brainer for many. It's a pity though because Volkswagen have a great third generator of their much loved SUV, I doubt it will see the sales high as the previous generation but it should be able to take a stake in the market.
This week saw Volkswagen SA host their annual Indaba at their plant in Kariega in the Eastern Cape, after a successful 2024 for the plant which saw them become the sole exporter of the popular Polo in Europe and Asia Pacific, this aided for a new record of 131 485 units exported from for the year. This couple with the enhancements done to the Polo Vivo put the plant in a strong position in the global Volkswagen plants. While facts and figures are always important to punt the companies local presence, we were more interested in seeing that new vehicles were in store for our shores for the 2025 year, and we were not disappointed.
Starting off with a question most journalists have been asked for the past 2 years, will we see a non performance version of the Golf 8? Well, no but we will see the introduction of the entry level Golf 8.5! Yes, VWSA are finally bringing the 1.4TSI 110kW TSI engine version of its popular Golf model to the country. The new Golf generation being with it a large infotainment system, more intuitive operating concept, a sharper front and rear end design as well as efficient drive systems. The revamp in design make it stand out more than the Golf 8 and with options of packages ranging from Life, Life+, R-Line and R-line+, there is enough variety to spec your Golf 8.5 TSI to your preferences. While VWSA did have an 8.5 GTI on display, there was no indication on whether that would be hitting the roads as well.
Next up is an SUV which borrows a lot from the newly introduced Tiguan, is the VW Tayron, which essentially is the Tiguan All-Space which has been given a new name. The model will be introduced in the second half of the year and is a 7-seater sport utility vehicle that is positioned between the Touareg and Tiguan. The car is engineered and built in the Wolfsburg plant in Germany and features technology from the premium level Touareg including IQ.Light HD Matrix headlights, massage seat functions, adaptive cruise control and ambient lighting. It also has advanced safety features like exit warning system, travel assist for a safer, more convenient driving experience and lane change and keep assist. Apart from being just a longer version of the Tiguan, the Tayron has different design characteristics with slightly different shaped headlights, with a illuminated VW badge in front, and a different lighting pattern on the rear lights. It also has sporty elements on the R-Line like 19-inch alloy wheels, R-Line bumpers and 30-colour ambient lighting.
Another SUV that got introduced is the much loved T-Cross which has been the best selling in the T segment for the company, with over 36,000 units sold since its launch in 2019, it only makes sense that they expand the offerings to capatilise on its success with two new derivatives. These are the 1.0TSI 70kW manual and the 1.0 TSI 85kW DSG, these form the perfect base onto build a perfect SUV that has a blend of performance, style and advanced features. Like the model which is currently on sale, the T-Cross comes standard with an 8" Digital Cockpit, App-Connect, Multi-function steering wheel, 2 USB port in front and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Other models showcased included the Polo 15th Edition that celebrates 15 years of Polo Vivo, these will be limited to 1500 units and available in the third quarter of the year. A Polo GTI Black Style which features all the black treatment on the alloys, mirrors, diffuses and seats. The VW Transporter will also make its way in the country in the second quarter. The new Transporter features larger dimensions, including a 146mm increased length and wider body, it comes with LED headlights, 12-inch Digital cockpit and advanced infotainment system with mobile app connectivity. It will only be available in the 2.0 TDI engine but with a choice of a 6-speed manual gearbox or an 8-speed automatic.
Another announcement at the Indaba saw the Volkswagen Group take over the retail operations of Ducati in South Africa. This taking the tally up to 4 offerings from the Group which already includes VW passenger Cars, Audi and VW Commercial.
It's a subject that has the motoring world divided, it's something that was one of the causes of the greatest motoring trio the world has seen to stop what they loved the most, reviewing cars, the electric car. Jeremy Clarkson said at the end of their final Special for the Grand Tour, and I quote "There are lots of reasons why we're jacking this show in but for me, one of the main ones is I'm simply not interested in electric cars. They are just white goods, they're washing machines, they're microwave ovens. You can't review those, you can't enjoy them" and to an extent I will agree with him but what Jeremy and other hardcore petrol heads fail to see is the evolution of this technology. I disagree with him that you can't review them, I disagree with him that you cannot enjoy them. When I was a kid, my favourite toy from my collection was a remote (wired) controlled 190E Mercedes Benz DTM car. I had tonnes of fun with this toy running around the house driving it. In essence that is what an electric car is, electric motor and batteries and it brought me so much of joy, from a tender age of 11 I thought about how a normal car could use a battery to operate it but obviously it takes a lot more than what a toy has. There's the safety aspects that one has to take into consideration as well as all the latest technology and creature comforts that people expect in cars these days. There are a lot of components that make up a car and to the benefit of the manufacturers, they've revolutionized the way we see electric cars since the very first ones we saw no too long ago. One of the EV's which has changed the market's perception of these electric powered cars is the Volkswagen ID.4, while it was introduced to Europe almost 2 years ago, it's made its way onto South African shores this year, but its not for sale just yet. I attended the launch a few months back but recently got to spend some quality time with it and these are my thoughts.
DESIGN
Volkswagen aim for the ID.4 was to be an electric SUV and to an extent is fits the mold, with a decent ride height, ground clearance and spacious cabin and lots of luggage space, it ticks all the boxes. Whether or not I'd take it off roading is a different story altogether, not that I think it won't manage the dirt tracks, I'd be too scared to find out if it cannot but getting back to the design, the ID.4 has a very different look to the conventional VW design language, while signature elements are there, the overall look and shape of the car make it known that this is something different. The exterior of the Volkswagen ID.4 is a perfect balance of modernity and functionality. It features sleek, aerodynamic lines that give it a futuristic but approachable look. Unlike some EVs that go too far in terms of radical design, the ID.4 sticks to a more mainstream aesthetic, which will likely appeal to a broader audience. Up front, the ID.4 has a closed-off grille (typical for EVs) and VW's new illuminated logo, which gives it a premium feel, especially at night. The full-width LED light bar across the front and matrix headlights add to its futuristic look, while the sculpted hood and large wheels give it a commanding road presence. The rear of the car also features LED lighting and a subtle, integrated spoiler, which enhances aerodynamics.
PERFORMANCE
The ID.4 was launched in Europe in 2020 and was available in various configurations, starting with a single-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) dual-motor option for more power and better traction. The model that is brought down to SA is the Pro model which has a single electric motor that produces 150kW and 310Nm of torque. This equates to a 0-100km time of 8.5 seconds, nothing to write home about I know but bare in mind that this is a family vehicle and has a heavy payload with the batteries. The car, while doesn't feature a conventional gearbox has two driving modes, namely "D" and "B" which can be selected from the gear selector that extends out of the digital instrument cluster. Drive, being a more conventional driving experience and has a less harsher regeneration feel to it but does eat into the battery life, while "B" is more suited for your urban commute as it enhances the regeneration side of the breaks giving it a slightly more harsher feel when lifting off the accelerator. The ride quality of the ID.4 is tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, which suits its family-SUV nature. It absorbs road imperfections well, making for a smooth and quiet ride, especially with the near-silent operation of the electric drivetrain. The steering is light and precise, but it lacks the sharpness that some drivers might crave.
CHARGING
One of the most important aspects of any EV is its range, and the Volkswagen ID.4 performs admirably here. The RWD model comes with an 77 kWh battery pack that provides an EPA-estimated range of around 531km on a full charge, as per the brochure but a full charge gave me a range of 431km, this fluctuated with my driving styles as I drove the car, if you drive it properly, the ID.4 will show you its worth, even with the range saying 431km, it could easily have done more with the power regeneration thanks to those massive 235 tyres. Range anxiety is a thing of the past with the ID.4 and even when my range dropped to below 70km, and the colours in the car started to turn red, I was note phased at all. I was not brave enough to take it to 0% battery life but other media colleagues did and it still managed to do an extra 10km till it got to the charging station. The car is responsive like any EV would be, but flicking between the driving modes really shows you how the character of the car can change. The silence is something I've gotten used to and the smoothness of the drive is just superb. When it comes to charging, the ID.4 supports DC fast charging up to 150 kW, which allows it to charge from 5% to 80% in around 30 minutes at a fast-charging station. The fastest charging station I had access to was the DC charging station at Gateway Shopping Center which was a 66kW station which manage to charge the ID.4 from 7% to 100% in just under an hour, or just long enough to have my lunch. Home charging whether with a wall box or direct from your wall socket will take in excess of 7 hours or overnight but when it comes to charging, unless you know you're doing a lot of running around the next day, one would only be charging this car once a week.
COMFORT
The interior of the ID.4 is minimalist but loaded with tech. The layout is clean and clutter-free, with a focus on simplicity. The centerpiece is a 10-inch (upgradable to 12-inch in higher trims) touchscreen infotainment system, which controls most of the car's functions, from navigation to climate control. The cabin feels open and airy, helped by the available panoramic sunroof and large windows that provide great visibility. The materials used are mostly high-quality, though some harder plastics are present, especially in lower trims. However, the overall build quality is solid, and the seats are comfortable for long drives. There's plenty of space for passengers in both the front and rear seats, making it a practical choice for families. The ID.4 offers 543-liters of luggage space behind the rear seats, expanding to `,575-liters with the seats folded, which is competitive for the segment. Volkswagen has equipped the ID.4 with a suite of advanced tech features that enhance both convenience and safety. The infotainment system is responsive and integrates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone connectivity. The system also supports voice control, which Volkswagen calls “ID. Light,” a system of visual cues integrated into the dashboard to communicate certain information (such as navigation prompts or incoming calls). The digital instrument cluster is fully customizable, giving drivers quick access to important information. The ID.4 also comes with a variety of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking, as part of VW’s “IQ.Drive” suite of safety systems. Higher trims include features like a 360-degree camera, park assist, and an augmented reality head-up display that projects navigation directions onto the windshield.
VERDICT
The Volkswagen ID.4, to me just goes to prove what EV's can offer, while this is an old model that we're only getting to experience now, it just goes to show what brands are doing with the technology and its no surprise why it was an excellent choice for buyers in Europe who were looking to transition to electric driving without compromising on the practicality and comfort of a compact SUV. Its competitive range, spacious interior, and advanced tech make it a strong contender in the rapidly growing EV market. While it may not offer the high-performance thrills of some competitors, its well-rounded nature, combined with Volkswagen's strong build quality and brand recognition, makes it an appealing option for families and environmentally conscious consumers alike. Like all cars, it does come with some pros and cons, with the pros outweighing the cons and for the type use one would get an ID.4 for, it really makes the competition look weak. While we can't really compare it to other EV's on the market since VWSA won't be putting it on sale anytime soon, even with the upcoming leasing option it would be hard to judge it against other brands in the market. It still is a conundrum to me as to why Volkswagen Group are taking this stance since its sister company, Audi is selling their e-trons to the market, it remains to be seen if they change their stance on the matter as I personally believe they have a winning car in their pocket.
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