One of Consumer Reports’ Complaints About the 2022 VW ID.4 Doesn’t Make Sense
The Volkswagen ID.4 charges just as fast as any other EV. So why did Consumer Reports mark it as a con for the car?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Consumer Reports (CR) has a much more thorough testing system than its competitors. But one thing tends to skew its reviews—it rarely takes the differences of each vehicle segment into account.
The review of the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 is a perfect example of this. Though its charging times are on par with other
electric vehicles
, CR insisted on comparing it to the time it takes to fill up a gas tank. That drove
Jerry
, your car insurance super app, to take a closer look at the review to see if the rest of it made more sense. Charging a VW ID.4
It takes 8.5 hours to charge a VW ID.4 from 25-100% using a Level 2 (240-volt) home charger. This is not a stand-out feature—it’s roughly the same for every modern EV—but it doesn’t tell the whole charging story of the ID.4.
A few things separate the VW plug-in experience from its competitors—some good, some not so good.
On the positive side,
CR
says the ID.4 comes with an 11-kW onboard charger that speeds up Level 2 charging. VW also offers three years of free charging at Electrify America
stations. On the negative side, the ID.4 doesn’t come with the NEMA 14-50 adapter it needs to plug directly into a 240-volt outlet. That means owners need to buy a separate charger to access faster charging times at home.
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CR’s other, fairer criticisms of the VW ID.4
Comparing the time to recharge an EV with the time to refuel a regular car is like comparing the time it takes to watch a movie with the time it takes to read a book. It just doesn’t make sense. That said, the other two “Lows” listed on CR’s ID.4 review are decidedly less absurd.
The first key critique focuses on the electric SUV’s controls. While VW has a reputation for offering intuitive console layouts, CR says it takes way too long to find commonly used features like climate controls on the ID.4’s infotainment touchscreen.
The other issue CR takes with the ID.4 is its brakes. While they performed adequately once test drivers got used to them, the pedal feel was described as “spongy,” and the electronic stability control (ESC) made drivers feel hesitant when swerving quickly to avoid hazards.
VW ID.4 ownership costs
Owning a VW ID.4 isn’t cheap. CR says the base MSRP sits just under $45,000, and mediocre predicted reliability ratings could mean depreciation could cut into the SUV’s resale value after a few years. But average
car insurance
for the EV is surprisingly low.Average coverage sits at $1,970 a year. That’s about $200 more than the national average but significantly lower than the premiums for most electric vehicles. Still, shopping for coverage with Jerry is the best way to know you’re getting the best price for car insurance.
A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and can even help you cancel your old policy. Jerry customers save an average of $887 a year on car insurance payments!
MORE: 5 Rules of Electric Vehicle Charging You Should Never Break
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