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What's the difference between the Volkswagen ID.3 and Volkswagen ID.4?
13 Mar 2024
Launched ‘for the millions not the millionaires’, the ID.3 and ID.4 are Volkswagen’s first rollout of all-electric cars, and as expected with Volkswagen, their growing EV range offers cost-effective and well-designed cars. So if you're on the hunt for a used electric Volkswagen, both the ID.3 and ID.4 share a combination of uniquely shaped and practical designs that offer reliability and low running costs. But how do they differ? We've explained all in our latest car comparison.
The ID.3 made its debut in 2019 and is a compact hatchback designed for city driving, it boasts an impressive range and can be charged up to 80% in just thirty minutes using a fast charger. The ID.4 on the other hand is significantly larger and offers a slightly lower range, but being an SUV offers more space and practicality, plus a longer list of interior features and driving assists.
What does the exterior look like?
Whilst the ID.3 and ID.4 share similarities in their exterior design such as the front grille and headlight styling, the Volkswagen ID.3 being a compact hatchback, presents a more rounded front end with a sloping roofline which results in a much more aerodynamic look than the ID.4. Something else that stands out on the ID.3’s front is its horizontal grille and wide LED headlights that come together to contribute towards the hatchback’s modern design, with less sharp angles than its larger counterpart.
As an SUV, the ID.4 is predictably much larger, with plenty more interior space and more traditional SUV body styling. The front end is much sharper than the ID.3 which is made obvious by its square shape that drops off and leads straight into the Volkswagen ID.4’s prominent front grille, this also creates a taller car allowing for more headroom. And whilst the LED headlights are similar to the ID.3’s, the SUV’s are bigger and more obvious, giving the car a much more capable and durable appearance.
What does the interior look like?
When it comes to the interior design of the Volkswagen ID.3 and Volkswagen ID.4, both electric cars offer a crisp and modern aesthetic, with prominent lines and minimal clutter. Both models offer an attractive, digital infotainment display that combines vehicle settings, driver assists, and entertainment functions in one easy-to-access location. Both versions of this infotainment system are touchscreen, and like most modern EVs, also offer voice commands.
The ID.3 and ID.4 share several innovative and supportive features such as an augmented reality head-up display which projects important information such as speed limits and road signs for the driver. Both cars also offer sustainably-sourced seating, meaning not only are you traveling comfortably and in style, but you can do so feeling a little more eco-friendly.
Where the ID.4’s interior really stands out from its hatchback counterpart, is its attractive panoramic sunroof which gives the impression of plenty more space, and of course offers a lot of natural light. The ID.4 also boasts wireless phone charging, and a seven-speaker sound system, adding to the SUV’s premium and modern feel.
How practical are they?
Whilst the Volkswagen ID.3 is a smaller hatchback designed for urban driving with a more compact design, it does still offer a comfortable ride, with plenty of space for all four passengers. Practical storage is also available, with a manoeuvrable storage compartment under the centre console, and a handy storage bin located in front of the modern gear selector.
Being much larger, the ID.4 understandably boasts more space for passengers, and more storage options. The cabin offers plenty of headroom and leg space for everyone inside, and the whopping 543L boot is much bigger than the ID.3’s 385L trunk, making the ID.4 perfect for families, long journeys, and anyone carrying larger items.
What are they like to drive?
There’s a reason we’re seeing more and more ID.3s on the road, and that’s its performance and range, which makes it one of the most popular electric hatchback options in the current market. The compact EV comes with a choice of three powertrain options, with the base model’s 45 kWh battery offering 148 horsepower and a 0-62 performance of 8.9 seconds. Depending on driving conditions, this version of the ID.3 boasts a range of up to 217 miles on one charge, which as electric hatchbacks go, is very impressive.
The mid-range 58 kWh model offers 201 horsepower, and an even more impressive range of up to 260 miles, whilst the top-level 77 kWh model of the ID.3 stands out with a fantastic range of up to 342 miles, making it one of the longest-range EVs available.
Whilst the ID.3 offers a choice of three powertrains, the ID.4 offers two; a 52 kWh model, and a 77 kWh. The top-end 52 kWh model, known as the Style Edition, offers a range of 220 miles, and being an SUV is predictably slower off the mark than the ID.3. Otherwise known as the Life Edition, the top-end 77 kWh version of the Volkswagen ID.4 boasts a range of up to 317 miles on one charge, making it ideal for long journeys with plenty of room for families, pets, or luggage.
We’re here to help
If like so many motorists in the UK, you’ve locked eyes on the modern design, practicality, and impressive performance of the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4, but can’t decide which model to go for, then we’re here to help!