Test Car Specifications
Model: 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 GTX Max AWD
Price: £55,690 as tested
Motor: electric motor on each axle
Transmission: one-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Battery: 77kWh lithium-ion
Power: 299hp
Torque: 162Nm front motor and 310Nm rear motor
Emissions: 0g/km
Economy/Range: 288 miles
0-62mph: 6.2 seconds
Top speed: 112mph
Boot space: 543-1,575 litres
Styling
To the casual observer, the GTX looks just like any other ID.4. Yes, there's a GTX badge on the tailgate and you get those massive 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, but the GTX's upgrades are subtle. Chief among these are the three honeycomb daytime running lights that link the GTX to the better-known Golf GTI, while the GTX also gets reworked bumpers and black paint on the roof and rear spoilers. Rounding out the changes are the tail lights with a clever X graphic in the LEDs.
Interior
Despite its sporty position atop the ID.4 range, the GTX's cabin is much the same as that of a mid-range ID.4. You get the same clean dashboard design with a central touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster, as well as a rocker switch that works as a gear selector. This go-faster version is marked out by some red trim on the dash and seats, as well as the GTX logo on the wheel and seat backrests.
Volkswagen interiors have been something of a disappointment in recent years - particularly with the electric ID. models - and while we'd stop short of calling the ID.4 a return to form, it's no worse than anything that's gone before. Some cheap plastics persist, but most are very good and the engineering that's gone into constructing the cabin is mostly exemplary. It isn't problem-free, because VW continues to insist on putting touch-sensitive switchgear in its cars.
But perhaps worse than that is the current standard of VW's in-car tech. The touchscreen looks fantastic, but it's fiddly and distracting on the move, and finding simple functions becomes a real chore. It isn't very German. Happily, though, the digital instrument cluster and head-up display are great.
Practicality
The GTX inherits its dimensions and capacities from the lowlier ID.4 models, so it still works as a spacious family bus. There's plenty of headroom in the front and rear, and rear legroom is pretty generous, too. And there's a 543-litre boot that's more than roomy enough for most and on a par with the VW's main rivals. It's an impressive amount of space for something as fast as a Golf GTI but infinitely better when it comes to tailpipe emissions.
Performance
Unlike most ID.4s, the GTX comes with two motors, giving it 299hp and all-wheel drive. That means it’ll accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds, which makes it fractionally faster than an entry-level Golf GTI. That said, there are some limitations. Full power is only available with a battery level higher than 88% and a battery temperature of between 23 and 50 degrees Celsius.
Even so, the headline figures aren’t bad for a car with so much space – and especially one that’s dragging the weight of a 77kWh battery with it. With that hiding under the floor, the ID.4 GTX can cover a respectable 298 miles on a single charge, while the more lavishly equipped GTX Max model cuts that by 10 miles.
Ride & Handling
With such impressive performance figures, there's some pressure on the GTX to fix the standard ID.4's soft suspension and plentiful body roll. And although the 'hot' ID.4 does that to some extent, it still feels more stately than sporty. The ride is a little firmer than the standard car, and the car doesn't lean quite as much in corners, but it isn't a total game changer. The steering is still light and the GTX just doesn't handle with the vigour we were hoping for.
But that doesn't mean it's completely useless. It may sacrifice a little comfort for an equally small amount of poise, but the all-wheel-drive system may come in handy for those living in more remote regions or areas prone to inclement weather.
Value
We've become accustomed to the fact cars are getting pricey and electric cars are even more expensive, so perhaps the ID.4 GTX's asking price of more than £50,000 isn't such bad value. After all, you'll pay more than £37,000 for a base-spec ID.4 and a mid-range model costs more than £47,000.
And it's worth remembering the GTX not only gets bags of power, but also bags of equipment. As standard, the GTX comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display and a rear-view camera, as well as keyless entry and satellite navigation. Upgrade to the Max model we tried and you get a panoramic glass roof and three-zone climate control.
Verdict
The ID.4 is a very compelling SUV, but this GTX version doesn't show it in its best light. Performance is adequate, rather than exciting, and it still doesn't handle that brilliantly, which makes the slightly firm ride less palatable. Consider the range reduction that comes with the extra power, and less potent models suddenly make much more sense. Unless you need the all-wheel-drive capability, that is.
