Volkswagen ID.4: which version to buy and why
The Volkswagen ID.4 first generation (from 2020-09-01, still in production, SUV 5-doors) is one electric family with eight versions, not eight unrelated cars. The buy decision is arithmetic: power from 149 hp to 340 hp, 0–100 km/h from 10.9 s to 5.4 s, kerb weight from 1890 kg to 2256 kg, drive FWD or AWD, and ground clearance 163 mm on one version versus 210 mm on the other seven.
Volkswagen ID.4: which version to buy and why
The Volkswagen ID.4 first generation (from 2020-09-01, still in production, SUV 5-doors) is one electric family with eight versions, not eight unrelated cars. The buy decision is arithmetic: power from 149 hp to 340 hp, 0–100 km/h from 10.9 s to 5.4 s, kerb weight from 1890 kg to 2256 kg, drive FWD or AWD, and ground clearance 163 mm on one version versus 210 mm on the other seven. Prices are not measured. Fuel use, tank size, displacement, cylinders, cylinder layout, and boost are not measured on every version. CO2 is 0 on all eight.
ID.4 specs: the eight versions side by side
Use the names exactly as listed. Where two rows share ID4, split them by horsepower (and, for the two 286 hp cars, by drive).
| Version | hp | kW | Nm | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Gears | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTX 299 hp | 299 | 219 | 220 | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | not measured | Automatic | 1 | AWD |
| ID4 149 hp | 149 | 109 | 220 | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | not measured | Automatic | 1 | FWD |
| ID4 265 hp | 265 | 194 | 310 | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | not measured | Automatic | 1 | AWD |
| ID4 286 hp FWD | 286 | 210 | 545 | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | not measured | Automatic | 1 | FWD |
| ID4 286 hp AWD | 286 | 210 | 545 | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | not measured | Automatic | 1 | AWD |
| GTX 340 hp | 340 | 250 | not measured | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | not measured | Automatic | 1 | AWD |
| ID4 170 hp | 170 | 125 | 310 | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | not measured | Automatic | 1 | FWD |
| ID4 204 hp | 204 | 150 | 310 | not measured | Electro | not measured | not measured | not measured | Automatic | 1 | FWD |
Power per litre is not calculated: displacement is not measured. Torque is measured on seven versions and missing on GTX 340 hp.
Which ID.4 generation changed what (2020 vs 2023)
There is one generation. The split that matters for a buyer is the start date inside that generation.
From 2020-09-01: GTX 299 hp, ID4 149 hp, ID4 265 hp, ID4 170 hp, ID4 204 hp. From 2023-10-01: ID4 286 hp FWD, ID4 286 hp AWD, GTX 340 hp.
What 2023 added in numbers:
- Peak power rose from 299 hp (GTX 299 hp) to 340 hp (GTX 340 hp): +41 hp, +13.7%.
- Peak torque among measured versions rose from 310 Nm (ID4 265 hp, ID4 170 hp, ID4 204 hp) to 545 Nm on both ID4 286 hp cars: +235 Nm, +75.8%.
- Fastest 0–100 km/h moved from 6.2 s (GTX 299 hp) to 5.4 s (GTX 340 hp): 0.8 s quicker.
- Heaviest kerb weight moved from 2221 kg (ID4 265 hp) to 2256 kg (GTX 340 hp): +35 kg at the top of the range.
- Highest gross weight moved from 2750 kg (GTX 299 hp and ID4 265 hp) to 2770 kg (GTX 340 hp): +20 kg.
What 2023 did not change: body is still SUV 5-doors; gearbox is still Automatic with 1 gear; fuel is still Electro; CO2 is still 0; front brakes stay Ventilated disc, rear brakes stay Disc; front and rear suspension stay Independent, spring.
ID.4 engine and power: FWD daily cars vs AWD vs GTX
Buy FWD if you want the lightest cars and do not need AWD. Four FWD versions exist: ID4 149 hp, ID4 170 hp, ID4 204 hp, ID4 286 hp FWD.
- ID4 149 hp is the weakest: 149 hp, 220 Nm, 10.9 s to 100 km/h, 160 km/h top speed, kerb 1891 kg, gross 2480 kg. Versus ID4 170 hp it has 21 hp less (−12.4%) and 90 Nm less (220 vs 310), and it is 1.9 s slower to 100 km/h (10.9 vs 9). Kerb weight is 1 kg higher (1891 vs 1890). Wheel sizes are not measured on ID4 149 hp.
- ID4 170 hp is the lightest ID.4: 1890 kg kerb, 2470 kg gross — 10 kg less gross than ID4 149 hp. It has 170 hp and 310 Nm, 9 s to 100 km/h, 160 km/h. It is the only version with 163 mm ground clearance (47 mm below the 210 mm of the other seven). Wheels: 235/60 R18, 235/55 R19. If you need the 210 mm clearance, this is the wrong FWD car.
- ID4 204 hp sits in the middle of FWD power: 204 hp, 310 Nm — same torque as ID4 170 hp, +34 hp (+20.0%). 0–100 km/h is 8.5 s (0.5 s quicker than ID4 170 hp, 2.4 s quicker than ID4 149 hp). Top speed stays 160 km/h. The cost in mass is large: 2208 kg kerb, 318 kg more than ID4 170 hp; 2660 kg gross, 190 kg more. Clearance returns to 210 mm. Wheels: 235/55 R19, 255/50 R19, 235/45 R21, 255/40 R21.
- ID4 286 hp FWD (from 2023-10-01) is the strongest FWD: 286 hp, 545 Nm. Versus ID4 204 hp that is +82 hp (+40.2%) and +235 Nm (+75.8%). 0–100 km/h is 6.7 s — 1.8 s quicker than ID4 204 hp. Kerb 2156 kg is 52 kg lighter than ID4 204 hp (2208 kg) despite 82 more hp. Gross 2690 kg is 30 kg higher. Top speed in the data is 80 km/h — 80 km/h below the 160 km/h of the other FWD cars and 100 km/h below the 180 km/h AWD/GTX cars. Wheels match ID4 204 hp.
Buy AWD if you want dual-motor layouts and 180 km/h. Three AWD ID4/GTX lines from 2020 plus two from 2023:
- ID4 265 hp: 265 hp, 310 Nm, 6.9 s, 180 km/h, 2221 kg kerb, 2750 kg gross, 210 mm, AWD. Versus ID4 204 hp FWD: +61 hp, same 310 Nm, 1.6 s quicker, +20 km/h top speed, +13 kg kerb, +90 kg gross.
- ID4 286 hp AWD (2023-10-01): 286 hp, 545 Nm, 6.6 s, 180 km/h, 2237 kg, 2760 kg. Versus ID4 265 hp: +21 hp, +235 Nm, 0.3 s quicker, +16 kg kerb, +10 kg gross, same 180 km/h. Versus its FWD twin ID4 286 hp FWD: same 286 hp and 545 Nm, 0.1 s quicker (6.6 vs 6.7), +81 kg kerb (2237 vs 2156), +70 kg gross (2760 vs 2690), and 180 km/h versus 80 km/h.
- GTX 299 hp: 299 hp, 220 Nm, 6.2 s, 180 km/h, 2149 kg, 2750 kg, AWD. Versus ID4 265 hp it has +34 hp but −90 Nm (220 vs 310), is 0.7 s quicker, and is 72 kg lighter (2149 vs 2221). Wheels are 235/50 R20, 255/45 R20, 235/45 R21, 255/40 R21 — 20-inch and 21-inch, no 19-inch in the list.
- GTX 340 hp (2023-10-01): 340 hp, torque not measured, 5.4 s, 180 km/h, 2256 kg, 2770 kg, AWD. Versus GTX 299 hp: +41 hp, 0.8 s quicker, +107 kg kerb, +20 kg gross. It is the heaviest ID.4 (2256 / 2770 kg) and the only version with 5.4 s. Wheels match GTX 299 hp.
ID.4 performance: 0–100, top speed, mpg
Consumption (city, highway, combined) is not measured on any version. MPG is not measured. Tank is not measured. CO2 is 0.
0–100 km/h ranking (slowest to fastest):
1. ID4 149 hp — 10.9 s 2. ID4 170 hp — 9 s (1.9 s faster) 3. ID4 204 hp — 8.5 s (0.5 s faster than 170 hp) 4. ID4 265 hp — 6.9 s (1.6 s faster than 204 hp) 5. ID4 286 hp FWD — 6.7 s 6. ID4 286 hp AWD — 6.6 s 7. GTX 299 hp — 6.2 s 8. GTX 340 hp — 5.4 s
The gap from slowest to fastest is 5.5 s (10.9 − 5.4). From the slowest FWD to the fastest FWD (ID4 286 hp FWD) is 4.2 s (10.9 − 6.7). From ID4 265 hp to GTX 340 hp is 1.5 s.
Top speed splits into three numbers in the data: 80 km/h (ID4 286 hp FWD only), 160 km/h (ID4 149 hp, ID4 170 hp, ID4 204 hp), 180 km/h (ID4 265 hp, ID4 286 hp AWD, GTX 299 hp, GTX 340 hp). If a 180 km/h cap matters, do not buy the three 160 km/h FWD cars or the 80 km/h ID4 286 hp FWD.
ID.4 dimensions, weight, and kg per horsepower
Ground clearance: ID4 170 hp 163 mm; every other version 210 mm. Difference: 47 mm.
Kerb weight (lightest to heaviest): ID4 170 hp 1890 kg; ID4 149 hp 1891 kg; GTX 299 hp 2149 kg; ID4 286 hp FWD 2156 kg; ID4 204 hp 2208 kg; ID4 265 hp 2221 kg; ID4 286 hp AWD 2237 kg; GTX 340 hp 2256 kg. Spread: 366 kg (2256 − 1890).
Gross weight: ID4 170 hp 2470 kg; ID4 149 hp 2480 kg; ID4 204 hp 2660 kg; ID4 286 hp FWD 2690 kg; GTX 299 hp and ID4 265 hp 2750 kg; ID4 286 hp AWD 2760 kg; GTX 340 hp 2770 kg. Spread: 300 kg (2770 − 2470). Payload from these two masses: ID4 149 hp 589 kg (2480 − 1891); ID4 170 hp 580 kg; ID4 204 hp 452 kg; ID4 286 hp FWD 534 kg; GTX 299 hp 601 kg; ID4 265 hp 529 kg; ID4 286 hp AWD 523 kg; GTX 340 hp 514 kg. Highest payload among the eight is GTX 299 hp at 601 kg; lowest is ID4 204 hp at 452 kg.
Kerb kilograms per horsepower (lower is stronger for the mass):
- GTX 340 hp: 2256 / 340 = 6.64 kg/hp
- GTX 299 hp: 2149 / 299 = 7.19 kg/hp
- ID4 286 hp FWD: 2156 / 286 = 7.54 kg/hp
- ID4 286 hp AWD: 2237 / 286 = 7.82 kg/hp
- ID4 265 hp: 2221 / 265 = 8.38 kg/hp
- ID4 204 hp: 2208 / 204 = 10.82 kg/hp
- ID4 170 hp: 1890 / 170 = 11.12 kg/hp
- ID4 149 hp: 1891 / 149 = 12.69 kg/hp
GTX 340 hp carries 6.05 kg less per hp than ID4 149 hp (12.69 − 6.64). ID4 204 hp is 318 kg heavier than ID4 170 hp for only 34 extra hp, which is why its kg/hp (10.82) is only 0.30 better than the 170 hp car (11.12) despite looking stronger on the hp line.
Wheels: ID4 149 hp — not measured. ID4 170 hp — 235/60 R18 and 235/55 R19 only. ID4 204 hp, ID4 265 hp, ID4 286 hp FWD, ID4 286 hp AWD — 235/55 R19, 255/50 R19, 235/45 R21, 255/40 R21. GTX 299 hp and GTX 340 hp — 235/50 R20, 255/45 R20, 235/45 R21, 255/40 R21.
Which Volkswagen ID.4 version to choose
Choose ID4 170 hp if the goal is the lowest mass (1890 kg kerb, 2470 kg gross) and you accept 163 mm clearance, 170 hp, 9 s, 160 km/h, FWD. It is 21 hp above ID4 149 hp with 90 Nm more and 1.9 s less to 100 km/h at essentially the same weight.
Skip ID4 149 hp unless 149 hp and 220 Nm are enough. It is the slowest (10.9 s), the highest kg/hp (12.69), and the only car with wheels not measured. Versus ID4 170 hp you give up 21 hp and 90 Nm for 1 kg extra kerb.
Choose ID4 204 hp only if you need 210 mm clearance and 19/21-inch wheels on FWD and can accept 2208 kg — 318 kg more than ID4 170 hp for 34 hp and 0.5 s. Torque stays 310 Nm.
Choose ID4 286 hp FWD if you want 2023 torque (545 Nm) and 286 hp on FWD without AWD mass. It is 52 kg lighter than ID4 204 hp, 1.8 s quicker, and 7.54 kg/hp. Do not choose it if the listed 80 km/h top speed is a problem; the AWD twin is 180 km/h.
Choose ID4 265 hp if you want AWD from 2020-09-01 without waiting for 2023: 6.9 s, 180 km/h, 310 Nm. It is 0.7 s slower and 72 kg heavier than GTX 299 hp, but it has 90 Nm more torque (310 vs 220).
Choose ID4 286 hp AWD if you want the 2023 545 Nm pack and 180 km/h together: 6.6 s, 2237 kg. Versus ID4 286 hp FWD you pay 81 kg kerb for 0.1 s and +100 km/h on the listed top speed (180 vs 80). Versus ID4 265 hp you gain 21 hp and 235 Nm for 16 kg.
Choose GTX 299 hp if you want the lightest AWD performance car in the 2020 set: 2149 kg, 6.2 s, 299 hp, 601 kg payload (highest). You give up 90 Nm versus ID4 265 hp.
Choose GTX 340 hp if the only target is the shortest 0–100 km/h (5.4 s) and 340 hp. You add 41 hp and drop 0.8 s versus GTX 299 hp, at +107 kg kerb and with torque not measured. It is the heaviest ID.4 (2256 kg / 2770 kg).
Reliability and problems are not measured in this dataset. Chassis hardware that does not change with version: Automatic 1-speed, Electro fuel, CO2 0, Independent, spring suspension both ends, Ventilated disc front, Disc rear. The buyer’s real forks are FWD vs AWD, 163 vs 210 mm, 160 vs 180 km/h (and the 80 km/h ID4 286 hp FWD figure), and whether 2023’s 286/340 hp and 545 Nm are worth the extra mass at the top of the range.