Consumer Reports Failed to Recommend the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 for 1 Reason
The 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 has been at the forefront of the EV revolution, but Consumer Reports failed to recommend it. What major drawback of this electric SUV seems to come up whenever consumers and critics drive it?
Consumer Reports didn’t recommend the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4
There were a lot of positive attributes to the new 2022 Volkswagen ID.4, especially since it is in its second year now. Consumer Reports recently tested the 2022 ID.4 and gave it a 59 out of 100 for the overall score. That is fairly average, but it did not receive the coveted “recommended” label. Compared to similar luxury compact SUVs (where Consumer Reports puts the ID.4), it came in 14th out of 28.
On the road test, the Volkswagen electric SUV racked up a score of 83 out of 100. The predicted reliability only came in at two out of five, which seems relatively low. However, the predicted owner satisfaction came in at five out of five. Consumer Reports called it “quick, quiet, and roomy,” but there is one major drawback.
“VW’s new infotainment system and other controls are a mess—they are a radical departure from VW’s traditionally easy-to-use layout.”
Consumer Reports
No matter who you ask, the controls on the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV just don’t cut it. The system is unintuitive, shuts down in error, and takes eyes off the road to make any minor adjustments.
The 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 controls are out of control
Volkswagen is generally known for easy-to-use infotainment systems and controls. Some automakers have departed from actual buttons to high-tech touch-screen buttons in the modern vehicle area. That is the case here, making even the most minor change a pain. Drivers have to take eyes off the road for an extended period to navigate through menus to make minor adjustments.
The touch screen is slow to respond, making it even harder. Consumer Reports says the temperature controls aren’t lit at night, which means you need extra light and time to change the temperature. Then, there are no controls for the backseat windows. Meaning if you need to put the window down in the backseat, you have to turn all the way around to do it.
Some driver assistance systems like lane departure warning (LDW) and Lane Assist are locked behind menus on the infotainment system. If you want to turn one of the features off, you have to be in park. The system locks when the Volkswagen ID.4 is in motion. It is also confusing for many people to try and locate the system within the menu. Typically, it is a simple button that is easy to find.
The electric SUV is improved, but Consumer Reports thinks more can be done
Consumer Reports says the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 has a range of 245 miles, which is pretty low compared to its competition. Especially in the winter, the tester car didn’t even manage 200 miles of range. The all-wheel drive option offers 295 hp and a bit more power, which the rear-wheel-drive version lacked. However, the RDW ID.4 managed to get 280 miles.
The 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 is a solid attempt at an electric vehicle, but it still falls flat in some critical areas. If you can look past the controls and the average range, the ID.4 electric SUV is an affordable entry-level electric vehicle. Consumer Reports suggests hopping in one before deciding on it. Most critics and drivers alike have commented on the complicated controls, which colors the whole experience.
It might not be an issue if you have a short and straightforward commute and don’t change your vehicle’s climate very much. For those who spend any time at all on the road every day, the controls might be a nuisance.
