Volkswagen ID.4 1st Edition












Overview
Main Overview Information
- Price USA (New)
- No Data
- Price USA (Used)
- $15,999
- Country of Manufacture
-
- Germany
- Germany
- Years of Production
- 2020-2021 (Discontinued)
- Body Style
- SUV
- Market Availability
- EU, USA
Pros and Cons
Reasons to Buy
- Spacious, comfortable cabin
- Good real-world range
- Excellent safety scores
- Unique 1st Edition perks
Reasons Not to Buy
- Frustrating infotainment system
- No front trunk
- Modest RWD performance
- Potential early software glitches
Overview
The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 1st Edition marked VW's grand entrance into the mainstream US electric SUV scene! This launch special packed a bunch of goodies to woo buyers, offering a blend of practicality and that classic VeeDub charm, electrified. As a discontinued model, you're looking at the pre-owned market, with used prices for this trim around $15,999. It was designed to be an approachable EV for families, a proper rival to other electric crossovers, and the 1st Edition really showcased what VW could bring to the electric party.
What's New for 2021?
For 2021, the ID.4 itself was the big news – VW's first dedicated electric SUV landing stateside! The "1st Edition" was the cherry on top, a limited-run launch model celebrating this arrival. It came loaded with unique bits like special badging, distinctive 19-inch wheels, and often a panoramic fixed-glass roof. Early adopters also snagged a sweet deal with three years of unlimited fast charging on the Electrify America network, making those initial electric road trips a breeze. It set the stage for VW's EV ambitions in the US.
Design & Exterior
The 2021 ID.4 1st Edition boasts a smooth, futuristic look that’s unmistakably VW. It’s a friendly-faced SUV that doesn’t shout "I'm electric!" too loudly. Special 1st Edition touches include unique badging, striking 19-inch alloy wheels, and a gorgeous panoramic fixed-glass roof that really brightens things up inside. Full LED lighting gives it a sharp signature, day or night. Dimension-wise, it measures 180.5 inches long, 72.9 inches wide (mirrors tucked in), and stands 63.8 inches tall, giving it a solid, well-proportioned stance on the road.
Interior, Tech & Cargo
Inside, the ID.4 1st Edition feels airy and modern, with a minimalist vibe. The launch model often featured unique white interior accents on the steering wheel and display surrounds. You get a crisp 10-inch central touchscreen and a nifty 5.3-inch digital driver’s display, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to keep you connected. Passenger space is generous for five. Pop the hatch, and you’ve got 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to a van-like 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. No frunk, though!
Performance & Driving Experience
The 2021 ID.4 1st Edition, with its rear-wheel-drive setup, offers a smooth and composed ride. Its single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) churns out 150 kW (that’s about 201 horsepower) and 229 lb-ft of instant torque, enabling a 0-60 mph dash in a respectable 8.2 seconds and a braked towing capacity of up to 2200 pounds. It’s more about comfort and refinement than outright thrills, soaking up bumps nicely. You get different drive modes and a ‘B’ setting for stronger regenerative braking, making one-pedal-ish driving pretty intuitive in town.
Range, Battery & Charging
Powering the ID.4 1st Edition is a 77 kWh usable battery pack. Green Cars Compare estimates a real-world range of 259 miles, with an efficiency of 3.36 miles per kWh, which is pretty decent. For home charging, the standard 11 kW on-board AC charger tops it up in about 7.5 hours. Out and about, its 400V architecture supports DC fast charging at up to 125 kW via its CCS Type 1 port, meaning you can juice up from 5% to 80% in roughly 38 minutes. Ideal for those longer hauls!
Safety & Driver-Assistance Features
Safety is a strong suit for the ID.4, earning a top 5-star rating from NHTSA. The 2021 ID.4 models also snagged an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award! The 1st Edition came generously kitted out with VW’s IQ.DRIVE suite as standard. This awesome package includes features like Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance), adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. That’s a lot of tech keeping an eye out for you!
Warranty & Maintenance Coverage
Volkswagen backed the 2021 ID.4 1st Edition with a pretty solid warranty package. You got a 4-year/50,000-mile basic limited warranty and, crucially for an EV, an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for the high-voltage battery, guaranteeing at least 70% capacity. Adding to the appeal, VW included two years of Carefree Scheduled Maintenance (or 20,000 miles). Plus, those early 1st Edition buyers often got three years of unlimited DC fast charging sessions at Electrify America stations, a massive perk for road-trippers. Reliability has been generally good for the ID.4 lineup.
Previous Generation
There are no earlier versions of this carSimilar Electric Cars

- Produced
- 2024-…
- Real Range
- 290 mi
- 0-60 mph
- 5.9 s
- Price (USA)
- $44,875

- Real Range
- 284 mi
- 0-60 mph
- 8.1 s

- Real Range
- 285 mi
- 0-60 mph
- 8.3 s

- Real Range
- 297 mi
- 0-60 mph
- 8.4 s

- Real Range
- 270 mi
- 0-60 mph
- 8.2 s

- Discontinued
- 2021-2024
- Real Range
- 259 mi
- 0-60 mph
- 7.9 s
- Price (USA)
- $21,158