The ID.4 may not be the electric Golf VW once promised, but in Black Edition trim it settles into its role as a refined, roomy, and quietly competent EV SUV.
When Volkswagen rolled out its ID electric lineup, the ambition was nothing short of historic. These were supposed to be the new Beetles and Golfs—cars that would reset the market and define an era. Reality, as it often does, has been more measured. The ID.3 didn’t dethrone the Golf, and the ID.4 hasn’t quite stepped into the Tiguan’s hiking boots. But that doesn’t make the ID.4 a misfire. It just means it found a different lane—and decided to stay comfortably in it.
If the ID.4 were truly forgettable, Ford wouldn’t have used it as the basis for its electric Explorer and Capri. The underlying MEB platform remains one of VW Group’s stronger assets, prioritizing interior space and ride comfort over tire-smoking theatrics. That philosophy is very much alive in the ID.4 Black Edition, the trim level sitting just below the performance-oriented GTX.
The Black Edition starts with the Match trim and adds a dose of visual drama: gloss-black exterior details, blacked-out alloy wheels, and a darker overall vibe that suits the ID.4’s clean, inoffensive shape. More importantly, it bundles in extra equipment and is offered exclusively with the larger 77-kWh battery. Buyers get one major choice: stick with rear-wheel drive or add VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system. Opt for the latter and the price rises to £48,120—still comfortably more than £4,000 shy of the GTX.
Power doesn’t change either way. Both versions deliver 282 horsepower and a healthy 545 Nm of torque, enough to hustle this electric SUV to 62 mph in about 6.6 seconds. That’s brisk rather than thrilling, and it neatly sums up the ID.4’s character. The all-wheel-drive system adds security but rarely feels necessary; even in slippery conditions, the rear-drive car puts its power down without drama. Push harder and the ID.4 defaults to safe, predictable understeer. This isn’t a car that eggs you on—it gently suggests you calm down.
And honestly, that’s fine. The real satisfaction here comes from the powertrain’s smoothness and responsiveness. Off-the-line acceleration is strong, the mid-range punch makes overtaking effortless, and everything happens without noise, fuss, or urgency. It’s competence served chilled.
The suspension tuning follows the same script. At low speeds the ride can feel a touch firm, but it settles nicely as pace increases, delivering a relaxed, well-damped cruise. Yes, there’s noticeable body roll if you start pretending this is a hot hatch, but there’s also plenty of grip and zero sense of impending chaos. The ID.4 never feels out of its depth—it just doesn’t want to play.
Where it really shines is comfort. The Black Edition comes standard with massage seats, configurable through the central touchscreen, which also allows you to adjust seating positions to free up rear legroom. Not that the back seats need much help: the flat floor, generous legroom, and deep cushions make this an easy place to spend time. The panoramic glass roof does wonders for the otherwise dark interior, preventing the all-black theme from feeling cave-like.
Efficiency, too, is quietly impressive. In freezing conditions, the ID.4 returned around 2.8 miles per kWh, and motorway speeds didn’t send the range estimate into freefall. In fact, the predicted range held steady and even ticked upward at times—a refreshing change from EVs that panic as soon as you hit 70 mph.
Charging is one area where the ID.4 shows its age. A peak DC fast-charging rate of 175 kW is no longer class-leading, though it’s hardly disastrous. Plugged into a suitable charger, a 10-to-80 percent top-up still takes about 30 minutes—acceptable, if unremarkable.
The Volkswagen ID.4 Black Edition won’t rewrite automotive history, and it won’t replace the Golf in anyone’s heart. But it doesn’t need to. What it offers instead is space, comfort, respectable performance, and a powertrain that just works. In a segment crowded with EVs trying to be exciting, the ID.4 is refreshingly content being good. And for a lot of buyers, that might be exactly enough.
Source: Volkswagen; Photos: AutoExpress