There’s been quite a buzz recently, about Volkswagen’s electric future; well, that future just got a whole lot closer with the reveal of the 2021 ID.4 all-electric crossover.  

Building upon what they started with the excellent eGolf, the ID.4 is the brand’s first long-range electric vehicle designed for the U.S. market. It will eventually be built in VW’s Chattanooga, Tennessee assembly plant beginning in 2022.  

First to arrive will be an imported rear-drive model with 201-horsepower and 250-miles of range with limited sales starting by the end of this year. And a few months later, it will be followed by a 302-horsepower all-wheel-drive version. 

Volkswagen’s new MEB modular electric architecture features a rear-mounted motor and 12 battery modules positioned low in the chassis. 

It’s a futuristic looking piece for sure; yet classic VW design features such as the thick C-pillar and sloping nose with prominent logo, add a nostalgic touch. 

The new platform provides a fresh approach to the interior; lots of LED lighting, high-res displays, and touch-sensitive controls, with space equivalent to the Tiguan.  

I recently had the opportunity to drive the all-new ID.4. Volkswagen let us get behind the wheel for about 45 minutes in one of their pre-production models and it drives exactly like a Volkswagen. It’s comfortable, it’s smooth, and overall just very pleasant to drive. And I know sometimes we get caught up on horsepower but I think the rear-mounted motor has a great balance of power, whether that’s in normal, sport, or eco mode. Sport mode is very quick and nimble and can get you on the highway plenty fast but even the Eco mode has a very nice pace to it. So suffice to say I am very excited for when the ID.4 comes to MotorWeek HQ for a full test in a few months.

The ID.4’s base pricing will start at around $40,000 before any government tax credits. Volkswagen will also offer an affordable lease plan, and even throw in 3-years of Electrify America fast charging at no additional cost.  

We’ll have more on the all-new 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 coming up soon on MotorWeek!