The VW ID.4 Is Cooler Than I Thought — 6 Options My Tesla Would not Have

My aunt and uncle simply purchased a Volkswagen ID.4. It’s their first electrical automotive and they’re over the moon about it. Whereas they have been excited to get it, they’ve come to search out that they like it much more than anticipated, together with a number of options they have been initially going to go up.

The factor that stunned me is that I additionally just like the ID.4 rather more than anticipated. Moreover, it has a number of options I want I had in my Tesla Mannequin 3, a few of which I didn’t notice it had. Total, I don’t suppose the ID.4 will get sufficient credit score for what it will get proper, what it has improved on since its launch, and what’s so enjoyable about it. It’s typically seen as a “plain” electrical car and less than snuff in comparison with a Tesla. Nevertheless, Volkswagen has leapfrogged Tesla on a handful of issues, and I believe early criticisms of the automotive are now not very legitimate, similar to some early points with the Tesla Mannequin 3 have been labored out or are much less distinguished. [Disclosure: I own stock in Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA). I don’t own stock in Volkswagen. Don’t come actin’ stupid at me for saying the ID.4 has features I wish I had in my Tesla.]

My aunt, uncle, and I’ll create extra evaluate articles and movies in regards to the ID.4 in future months and years in a long-term evaluate of the favored electrical automotive for CleanTechnica. On this piece, I’m primarily going to debate 6 cool options of the ID.4 that my Tesla Mannequin 3 doesn’t have. Nevertheless, earlier than that, I’d like to notice a few broader factors. Initially, word that the ID.4’s US gross sales have jumped by the roof. They have been up 254% within the first quarter of 2023 in comparison with the primary quarter of 2022. When it comes to unit gross sales, they have been up by 7,003 models, going from 2,755 gross sales in Q1 2022 to 9,758 gross sales in Q1 2023. The ID.4 is now the 4th finest promoting electrical automotive within the USA, solely trailing the Tesla Mannequin Y, Tesla Mannequin 3, and Chevy Bolt (which is being discontinued on the finish of 2023). The second factor I wish to spotlight is that the ID.4 is presently one of many solely reasonably priced electrical automobiles eligible for the complete $7,500 federal EV tax credit score. So, if you’d like an incredible electrical automotive at a comparatively low worth that may web you a $7,500 tax credit score, this needs to be one of many EV fashions you take into account. Let’s get into the automotive now.

The video under is a walkthrough of assorted options within the ID.4 and the way you alter or activate them. I gained’t cowl all of them in textual content, so watch the video to get the complete image. Beneath the video, although, I’m highlighting 6 issues my Mannequin 3 doesn’t have that I want it did.

Therapeutic massage seats: This is among the high options I want I had. I examined therapeutic massage seats out in one other EV I not too long ago take a look at drove, and I liked them. That stated, for my very own physique, I nonetheless discover the Tesla Mannequin 3’s seats are probably the most comfy I’ve ever skilled. Totally different preferences or physique varieties may have completely different takes on this. And on that subject, some folks don’t look after therapeutic massage seats! I can’t perceive that. That’s like not liking chocolate ice cream.

Sunroof shade: In case you get an ID.4 with a sunroof, you additionally get a sunroof shade you can automagically open or shut by saying, “Howdy ID, open the sunroof shade.” It’s cool, lovely, and easily sensible — and, in Florida, it’s important. In case you’ve been following my Tesla Mannequin 3 long-term evaluate for lengthy, that I stick conventional sunshades beneath my glass roof for about half of the yr as a result of far an excessive amount of warmth comes by if I don’t.  It certain could be good to have a built-in sunshade that I may automagically open or shut as I wanted.

VW ID.4 sunroof shade opening or closing. Picture courtesy of Volkswagen.

Rear windshield wiper: There have been a number of days that I’ve wished I had a rear windshield wiper on my Tesla Mannequin 3, so I used to be thrilled (and envious) to see the ID.4’s bought one. Good job, VW. Although, actually, I believe this ought to be a given on all automobiles.

You’ll be able to spot the VW ID.4’s rear windshield wiper right here when you look intently. Picture by Kyle Subject | CleanTechnica.

Blind spot warning in aspect mirrors: A number of automotive fashions now have this, together with different electrical automobiles, however Tesla automobiles nonetheless don’t. (You do now have side-view digital camera feeds that present in your touchscreen whenever you flip in your blinker, although, and I do use and love these.) In case you’re not conversant in this sure security enhancement, what occurs is a yellowish-orangish gentle illuminates on the underside of your aspect mirror when a automotive slides into your blind spot. (I nonetheless suppose it’s good to show your head and verify earlier than altering lanes, however this function ought to assist many a driver keep away from an unlucky accident.) I might like to see Tesla add this before later, however there’s no indication the corporate plans to take action.

Inside lighting “temper” colours: This temper function, the place you possibly can change the inside lighting coloration, is a particular enjoyable issue. Some Tesla house owners (and I presume shareholders) have been inclined to say that that is only a pointless gimmick. I assure that if their Tesla had it and Elon Musk was tweeting about it, they’d suppose it was tremendous cool. Properly, it’s cool! It’s a enjoyable function that means that you can benefit from the automotive in numerous methods with completely different atmospheres. Is it crucial factor? No. However these “little issues” improve the consumer expertise and add to at least one’s love for his or her car of transport. (Any Tesla proprietor ought to perceive this properly, given what number of Easter eggs and enjoyable options are added to Teslas.)

“Gentle animation” — headlights “do some dance” whenever you stroll as much as the ID.4. These exterior lighting options on the VW ID.4 Professional S are additionally enjoyable, pleasurable, and add that excellent additional contact to make you’re keen on the automotive.

Anybody who says they don’t like that’s mendacity or doesn’t have a coronary heart. And I assure that if Tesla had it, there’d be 100× extra hype about how cool it’s.

The Volkswagen ID.4 was CleanTechnica’s 2021 Automobile of the 12 months winner.

We’ll you should definitely look out for extra cool ID.4 options, in addition to any points, as we discover the electrical automotive additional in coming months and years. (Be happy to chime in with your individual, as properly.) Regulate our VW ID.4 long-term evaluate to catch every thing.