Volkswagen ID.4 vs Tesla Model Y: EV Road Trip Comparison

[@virtualZ161]

So far I’ve been happy with my ID.4 AWD. No complaints with the Electrify America charging here in Southern California. EA app shows how many chargers are available in real-time but due lack a number of them when it’s busy. As for ID.4 infotainment system, it works very well once you get used to the UI. I had the Model Y for test drives and glad I chose the ID.4 AWD.

[@plugandplayEV]

Looking forward to checking out the AWD at some point. Infotainment was okay for us but nav bad (doesn't matter really with Android Auto... no native nav in our Bolt, for example) and the slide controls seemed clumsy. All cars have their cons and the ID. 4 was a very good all rounder, overall.

[@CC-sj8hd]

This is exactly the type of comparison I’ve been looking to see for years now. There are times when my family travels in groups, driving an EV or 2 EVs “complicates” things when you’re trying to stay together.

[@plugandplayEV]

Definitely. It feels like (in our area at least) the first 300-400 miles is essentially a wash, given the need to stop and charge in any 200-300 mile EV. Some will shave 10-15 mins off that required stop but it's broadly similar, with the main contrast being is the public DCFC option anywhere near the Supercharger. After 400 miles though, the time saving of Tesla V3 or 800V CCS charging would begin to add up over multiple charge sessions, as compared to 400V CCS and CHAdeMO. A Tesla CCS adapter and/or Tesla opening up select Supercharger locations would streamline multi-EV trips considerably. Food for thought on future road trip tests, thanks 👍

[@anthonyc8499]

@@plugandplayEV "regional road trip" is a good description for a destination within 300 miles of home. A single charging stop will be required somewhere along the way and the charging time difference between an ID4, Mach-E, EV6, or Model Y will be fairly negligible. For families who rarely drive farther than 300 miles from home, pick the EV crossover that best fits the budget and personality of the folks making the car payment. In this case, I'd choose the AWD Model Y because the RWD ID4 is too slow and the VW's niggles would drive me batty.

[@PedroBrandaodrums]

Im a ID.4 Pro S owner here in Florida and I can’t complaint Florida has good weather for EV no issues with EA and already did 2 roadtrips to Charlotte car is amazing for road trips plus car is so quiet. VW needs to step up on update the software but other than that I’m happy with a car plus 3 years free charging NO BRAINER. Appreciate the video

[@plugandplayEV]

Thanks Pedro. Without the weather impediment we have in the north, I can only imagine the ID.4 becomes an even more compelling vehicle. Seats are still the most comfortable I've road tripped in, for my money! Look forward to seeing how the latest software improves the car even more. Cheers.

[@jdc87600]

Good info, Steve, keep it coming. Nine months remaining on our Bolt lease so we'll be researching all the options as we go through the summer and fall. Your reviews will play a big role in that search. We use Apple Car Play continuously so would not like to lose that capability.

[@plugandplayEV]

Lots more to come on almost all the models that one might consider after a Bolt, so good timing for sure. Thanks for the feedback and continued support!

[@tommckinney1489]

I recently test drove an id.4 and have ridden in a Y. There's a huge difference in cost, but putting that aside for the moment, model Y wins hands down. More range, faster charging, more efficient, better charging network. Size wise, the id.4 felt more cramped than the Y. Now circling back around to cost.....you can almost buy two id.4s for the price of one Y. By the way, the VW sales guy said no one within a 100 mile radius of my local dealership had an id.4 for sale right now, you'd have to order one if you want one. He didn't know how long it would take to get it.

[@plugandplayEV]

I found the range difference to be overblown, at least for this Y. The owner recommended reducing the GOM estimate by around 30% to get the true figure and the car's lifetime efficiency of 312 Wh per mile over almost 8,000 miles would seem to bear that out: 3.2 mi/kWh equivalent x ~75 kWh pack = 240-250 miles on a charge. Granted, the equivalent VW ID. 4 AWD would likely be below 3 mi/kWh and still wouldn't achieve the same distance as a Model Y, but the difference feels negligible on longer trips at high speed. On the other hand, charging clearly sets the ID.4 back a bit. Lack of effective battery heating in transit took its toll on our journey and the Tesla was far more capable of preparing for fast charging, which was always predictable and easy. The latter doesn't come as a surprise, but it's always worth noting for anyone who isn't willing or able to navigate the public charging infrastructure.

[@tommckinney1489]

@@plugandplayEV Thanks for the analysis, Steve. IIRC, your Bolt lease is up soon. I *think* you mentioned in a previous video you were considering an id.4. Still leaning that way?

[@plugandplayEV]

@@tommckinney1489 Our 2020 is up in 10 months time but we have a need for a second car right now, so we'll be overlapping the upgrade and this lease. We've leaned towards most of the current crop at some point during research and testing, so it's fair to say ID.4 was in that group, yes! Planning a live video sometime soon to share our decision.

[@tominftlthomasp3559]

The problem is for the ID4 is the dealers are marking these cars up $4,000. At least at a dealer in Florida.

[@NevoEVReviewIreland]

Great video, thanks Steve. 2 of the most important EVs in the US over the coming years when the ID.4 really ramps up production

[@plugandplayEV]

Thanks Derek. Mind boggling to think that VW is aiming for $35k before incentives for the US-produced ID.4, while the Model is now $60k and only going up.

[@rtkendig]

The Model Y Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive long range today is $62990, without incentives. The VW iD4 AWD Pro s (the most comparable to the model Y tested) is around $50,000 here in California. That does not include any dealer markups, as these are not plentiful and in high demand, one sold at Cypress Volkswagen for 59,995 about a week ago. So do your research and figure out which car you actually like the best based on personal information, I find this test was flawed in many ways as there were too many variables between vehicle equipment, temperature, distances driven, time of year etc. Full disclosure I am a Tesla model Y performance owner with a very early serial number, I've been loving this car for 2 years. There are many new electric cars coming out as I type and they will only get better in the future. I highly enjoy my Tesla and I know I would probably enjoy many of the new cars that are coming out, but I actually did not completely enjoy the one trip I've had in an iD4. Good luck to you.

[@plugandplayEV]

This was never intended as a carefully planned test, it's simply a comparison of the road trip feel in each EV. That the ID. 4 held up well as a comfortable road tripper despite significantly lower spec and worse conditions is a testament to VW, if anything.

[@Runtythestar]

Not a single EA station on Cape Cod. There is one coming. But, not open yet. The 3 years of free charging is much more compelling if conveniently located. It also seems that Tesla chargers are in better locations to walk around w amenities and/or closer to highway exits. There are some EA and EVgo at decent spots. But, overall, they tend to be off the beaten path and starting a session can eat up time. It's getting better. But, needs to grow more rapidly to keep up with demand from all the EVs in the market now.

[@plugandplayEV]

I'd go the other way and say that many owners probably don't need EA on their doorstep if they have home charging. Rather, they need them around 100 miles away and then plentiful every 50-75 miles for road trips. We have two EA locations within five miles of us here in Greater Boston, for example, but wouldn't typically use them to fast charge for local travel. Cape Cod EA should be online by the summer, though, and then it's really a question of whether they would add one in a location like Orleans or Provincetown to help travellers further up the Cape. On charge site location, it seems heavily dependent on route and driver preferences. The first we show here, comparing a service plaza Supercharger to a suburban Walmart, definitely makes the case for Tesla. Comparing the Manchester, CT Supercharger to that Walmart, though, I'd have to say the Electrify America site is better. For all its negatives, Walmart is open the longest of most retailers and has a bathroom available. That wasn't the case at the Manchester Supercharger around 9pm, where it was primarily daytime retail and drive-thru only restaurants.

[@jfrenchws6]

I'm thinking I'd pick the Tesla. 2 most important things for me on a road trip are charging and navigation. Sounds like the Tesla does both of those better.

[@plugandplayEV]

Yep, don't think I could argue with that decision with those as the primary criteria. It's as simple as saying the destination and stopping when it tells you in a Tesla. Very accurate and user-friendly.

[@trevormetz9530]

Very informative comparison thanks! Your cold weather perspective on EV ownership is helpful. What service did you use to rent the cars?

[@plugandplayEV]

Glad it helps, thanks Trevor! Both of these cars were rented on Turo.

[@E_Schepp]

If money is no object and you can wait a long time to get your EV then the Model Y is the choice. On the other hand a fully equipped AWD ID.4 is about 10K cheaper + $7500 tax credit + 3 years free charging on EA + reduced insurance and lower annual costs because of lower base price. That is a LOT of $$ and puts the ID4 in a different class. I just wish it had true single pedal driving. The biggest issue currently with all EV's is the lack of availability. They are all hard to find and if you can get one the prices is often MSRP+

[@plugandplayEV]

All good points, thanks Ernst. Seems like the ID.4 is almost impossible to get in any trim, but there seems to be a steady flow of lower trim Hyundai and Kias on dealer lots, at least here on the East coast. Getting them at MSRP seems to be the main challenge at the moment.

[@ryans.7558]

Almost makes me wonder if you are considering either for the next. Loving the EV6 thus far.

[@plugandplayEV]

Lots of folks saying the ID.4 AWD fixes the performance question mark we had, but those controls and software would still be a problem. Software is getting some enhancements rolling out of Germany right now, though, so it just leaves actually getting one delivered as the challenge. Tesla is obviously another level in terms of price point and no incentives available, but there's a predictability to the travel and charging that can be compelling. The EV6 is the one model we haven't played with beyond a quick look at auto shows, so very excited to try one of those. Spoken to a couple of owners already and they rave about the car.

[@ryans.7558]

@@plugandplayEV I expect VW to continue to improve the ID.4 with software so that likely will only get better. My issue with Tesla has been the Apple like ecosphere they like to put one in. No doubt they are the leader in the pack on the EV side of the house, but in my test drives I felt they were behind on the driving experience side. Both the Model 3 and Model Y I test drove felt like they just needed a tad more refinement, oh, and a dashboard. I have to figure I'm likely the first EV6 driving around here in NH. Kia certainly upped their game. Some software refinement wouldn't hurt, but otherwise. Well, the lack of Wireless AA (or widescreen AA) is a bit of a downer, I hope the widescreen gets fixed with a software update and as for wireless. Well, AAWireless fixes that issue. Otherwise, The car is a blast to drive and it's DCFC charging will make road trips a breeze. I will say, I have played with A Better Route Planner and frankly. With what I've observed so far driving the EV6 and even driving it back from Albany, NY that the utility of ABRP is not as useful as it was with the Bolt. ABRP is waaaaay to conservative for what the EV6 can do.

[@MichaelRodriguez-jb5op]

Does the ID4 precondition the battery as you approach the charger, like Tesla does.

[@plugandplayEV]

No, the only non-Tesla models that have added that so far (to my knowledge) are the Porsche Taycan and Lucid Air. Not sure about the Rivians. It's also rumored to be an eventual software update on the IONIQ 5, for those that have the battery heater.

[@anthonyc8499]

Tesla's Supercharger network has the edge for now but I suspect that the CCS stations are about to be everywhere very soon. If Tesla wants that sweet sweet EV Infrastructure money, they'll install 150kW CCS chargers too.

[@plugandplayEV]

The intersection of DCFC is going to be really interesting here in North America over the next few years. Exclusive networks for Tesla, Rivian, and now Porsche can surely only last so long when there's massive funding washing around for stations that serve everyone... how each of these automakers balances the question of where and what they make public will be intriguing.

[@pogo1140]

I keep thinking that VW has forgotten what that name translates to. Back in the day the base car was offered to the public at a price that ranged from 2 months salary to 6 months for the top of the line of that model. So unless your average worker is earning 15,000 USD a month these are rich people's toys.

[@plugandplayEV]

Sticker price remains a challenge for EVs as a whole, but the ID. 4 does already come in below the average new car sales price in the US. A $35k version is also in the works, once production starts in Tennessee. Factor in minimal maintenance, incentives, and free fuel for three years and the total cost of ownership often comes out lower than the equivalent size combustion option.

[@dennislyon5412]

Steve - an interesting comparison as viewed from a Bolt driver. Did you find the ride of the ID.4 to be better than the - perhaps too stiff - MY? Or, coming from a Bolt, you found the MY ok too? That 240+ kw charging session into the MY had to be quite a - grin inducing - experience. Too bad the days weren’t comparable temperature-wise, since it appears that hurt the ID.4 charging speed. I would think that the text size is adjustable on the Tesla screen. 3 years of free EA charging (comes with the ID.4) is quite the carrot for new EV customers to that brand, thus encouraging new owners to plan/take some trips and get comfortable with navigating an EV about the country, especially if the current gas price holds for a while. Hopefully orders for these 2 models will fill up the Chattanooga (VW) and Austin (Tesla) plants as this year moves along. No problem for Tesla so far, since their backlog is already huge, but a bit of an uphill for the VW.

[@plugandplayEV]

Agreed, shame the season couldn't show the two in similar conditions, but I have a feeling the Tesla would have maintained its predictable Supercharging in all but the most frigid of conditions. Would have been nice to see the ID.4 at its best though... perhaps we'll be able to snag an AWD version for a summertime test. I found both cars to be more comfortable than the Bolt, especially in terms of suspension. The Bolt is quite unforgiving on all but the smoothest roads and either of these options would be a significant improvement. The Model Y was certainly stiffer but not uncomfortably so... it translated to a better ride on the back roads where the ID.4 was more of a floaty boat, while the VW was a bit more comfortable (and quieter) on straight highway cruising at high speeds.

[@jamesrockhill548]

Which one did you personally enjoy driving more and why? If you had to pick today, which one would you take to replace your Bolt?

[@plugandplayEV]

On the back roads, the Model Y was much more fun. Handles like it's on rails and the acceleration is incomparable with the VW. As a highway cruiser in a straight line, the ID.4 pulls it back to a tie. Better nav and charging helps the Tesla but the driver cluster, seat comfort, and quieter cabin make the Volkswagen a pleasant ride. Of these two specific cars, I'd take the Model Y in this case. But we would really have to test the top trim AWD version of the ID.4 to make a direct comparison and see how it changes performance.

[@jamesrockhill548]

@@plugandplayEV thank you for the reply, mate. As always, great information and a great video!

[@plugandplayEV]

Cheers!

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Subbed from London.

[@plugandplayEV]

Appreciated from Boston, thanks!

[@user-oo3uj5ku9r]

ID.4 all the way. Base RWD ID.4 and save 20k and spend it on other pleasures in life.

[@plugandplayEV]

There's a helluva value in that entry level ID4, especially with the EA charging deal. Getting one (or almost any EV) would seem to be the biggest challenge at the moment.

[@rtkendig]

You're comparing apples to oranges not apples to apples, way too many variables in your test. Try again.

[@plugandplayEV]

Show us the part of the video where it says "test".

[@rtkendig]

@@plugandplayEV that's somewhat a semantics argument you do say that "it's not a fair direct test" 39 seconds into your video, I grant you that. Your intent does seem to be a "comparison" of the two cars and the comparison obviously has way too many variables, it's a subjective non-scientific manner of methodology. Look I'm not trying to tear you down in anyway shape or form, I am merely wanted the person I was replying to to compare apples to apples before they spend a lot of money on a ca. I wouldn't want anyone to be misinformed before spending so much money on a new vehicle. That's all, have a great day.

[@bigdougscommentary5719]

So the trips were not simultaneously conducted? Well there went your credibility.

[@plugandplayEV]

I'll try to live with the enduring shame, "Big Doug".

[@jefftomasello3258]

TOO-EXPENSIVE!

[@plugandplayEV]

Sticker price? Yes, agree, prices need to come down faster than they have been. Total cost of ownership? In almost all cases, have to disagree. Not enough consideration of all the weekly/monthly/yearly costs inherent to combustion car, from which an EV liberates the owner.