• Minimalist dashboard design
• Touch controls cover most functions
• Generous equipment, but some quality concerns

How is the quality and layout?

This is probably the area where the ID.4 is at its weakest. Models look well-trimmed and reasonably inviting, but you don’t have to look too hard to find disappointing materials. Many of the touchpoints are nice, such as the steering wheel and seat facings, but there are some hard plastics that jar, cheap looking trims and rear-seat passengers face quite obviously wonky stitching on the backs of the front seats. The Skoda Enyaq iV has the ID.4 well beaten here.

46

The speedometer and other vital functions are displayed on a small pod (pictured above), which is limited in its display options, with most of the other controls handled by the central 10.0-inch touchscreen. This is not great if you want to make a quick change, such as turning on your seat heaters, where you’ll have to go to an on-screen menu to make it happen. Yes, you can use voice control, but this doesn’t work flawlessly and it’s all quite unnecessarily fiddly.

The same can be said for the touch controls for cabin temperature and the infotainment’s volume controls. They’re not accurate, and at night, aren’t lit either. The steering wheel controls are also a bit of a disaster as they’re also touch sensitive, offering a two-stage ‘click’ and are too easy to trigger accidentally.

46

Infotainment and tech

The interior is dominated by the central 10.0-inch touchscreen, which is smaller than the set-ups you get in rivals such as the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Skoda Enyaq iV. Don’t expect to jump in and use it without a period of familiarisation as there are lots of options to play with.

There are a set of shortcuts at the bottom of the screen as well as smart controls for systems like the heating and ventilation, but it’s still less usable than rival systems – including, ironically, the Innovision set-up in the Volkswagen Touareg. So the company clearly knows how to do it right. 

The good news is that it works well with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offering wireless connectivity for both, which makes connecting to and using your smartphone a piece of cake. It’s probably the best aspect of the ID.4’s infotainment set-up.

46

Comfort

• The ID.4 is very quiet and refined
• Good driving position
• Supportive seats good for long journeys

As with most electric cars, the ID.4 makes almost no motor noise at all, leaving you in a serene place. It remains impressively hushed inside at all speeds, with much better isolation from wind noise and tyre roar than some rivals – though this does depend on the road surface.

The driving position is good, though, and the front seats offer plenty of adjustment. The seats don’t feel particularly plush on first acquaintance, but spend an extended period in them, and you’ll appreciate how supportive they are.