#341 Volkswagen ID.4 Test Results

01/08/22 • 15 min

1 Listener

On this episode, we share our test results of the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4. Find out how this all-new EV stacks up against competing models from Tesla and why we think the ID.4’s redesigned controls have more flash than function. We also answer an audience question on regenerative braking and how it works on the ID.4.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - Volkswagen ID.4 Test results

12:46 - Question: How does regenerative braking work on the VW ID.4?

LINKS:

Volkswagen ID4: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/volkswagen/id4/2021/overview/

First Drive: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Can Play in the Big League: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/2022-hyundai-ioniq-5-review-a4449361814/

Automakers Are Adding Electric Vehicles to Their Lineups. Here’s What’s Coming: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/why-electric-cars-may-soon-flood-the-us-market-a9006292675/

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - Volkswagen ID.4 Test results

12:46 - Question: How does regenerative braking work on the VW ID.4?

LINKS:

Volkswagen ID4: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/volkswagen/id4/2021/overview/

First Drive: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Can Play in the Big League: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/2022-hyundai-ioniq-5-review-a4449361814/

Automakers Are Adding Electric Vehicles to Their Lineups. Here’s What’s Coming: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/why-electric-cars-may-soon-flood-the-us-market-a9006292675/

Previous Episode

#340 2021 Year in Review

We wrap 2021 with a roundup of our favorite, and not so favorite cars that we drove at our test track. We also discuss how the car buying market has changed over the last 12 months, share some buying advice for the future and look ahead to some vehicles we hope to buy and test in the new year.

SHOW NOTES:

1:13 - Our least favorite cars of 2021

9:08 - Our favorite cars of 2021

18:43 - The Automotive world in 2021

24:55 - Vehicle production in 2022 and beyond

LINKS:

First Drive: Polestar 2 Confuses and Frustrates: https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/2021-polestar-2-review-a8033018732/

First Drive: 2021 Cadillac Escalade Proves Powerful, High-Tech, and Truly Luxurious: https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/2021-cadillac-escalade-review/

First Drive: Redesigned 2022 Subaru BRZ Proves Nimble and Fun: https://www.consumerreports.org/sports-cars/2022-subaru-brz-review-a6225692747/

We Finally Got Our Bronco. Here Are the 7 Things That Immediately Struck Us: https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/what-to-know-about-the-all-new-ford-bronco-a3790433538/

Fun to Drive Cars We’re Thankful for This Year: https://www.consumerreports.org/sports-cars/fun-to-drive-cars-we-are-thankful-for-this-year-a2619186767/

General Motors Introduces ‘Ultra Cruise,’ an Expanded Hands-Free Driver Assistance System: https://www.consumerreports.org/driver-assistance-systems/gm-ultra-cruise-hands-free-driver-assistance-system-a4904409015/

Global Chip Shortage Makes It Tough to Buy Certain Cars: https://www.consumerreports.org/buying-a-car/global-chip-shortage-makes-it-tough-to-buy-certain-cars-a8160576456/

Some Automakers Say the Chip Shortage Is Causing the Delay of Certain Features: https://www.consumerreports.org/automotive-industry/chip-shortage-causing-automakers-to-delay-certain-features-a1131554218/

Next Episode

#342 Ford BlueCruise First Impressions

This week we discuss BlueCruise technology, Ford’s new hands-free active driver assist feature available on the Mustang Mach-E. We share our experiences with the system— both on our test track and public roads— we’ll talk about how it differs from other systems like GM’s Super Cruise and Tesla’s Autopilot. We also debate how useful these systems are and how driver monitoring plays a crucial role in ensuring safety behind the wheel. Plus, we answer a question about child seats for a growing family.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - Ford BlueCruise First Impressions

17:54 - Question: What’s the best car to buy to accommodate a growing family?

LINKS:

How Much Automation Does Your Car Really Have? https://www.consumerreports.org/automotive-technology/how-much-automation-does-your-car-really-have-level-2-a3543419955/

Which Lane Keeping Assist System Is Right for You? https://www.consumerreports.org/driver-assistance-systems/which-lane-keeping-assist-system-is-right-for-you-a4813532588/

Cadillac’s Super Cruise Outperforms Other Driving Assistance Systems: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/cadillac-super-cruise-outperforms-other-active-driving-assistance-systems-a1113486809/

General Motors Introduces ‘Ultra-Cruise,’ an Expanded Hands-Free Driver Assistance System: https://www.consumerreports.org/driver-assistance-systems/gm-ultra-cruise-hands-free-driver-assistance-system-a4904409015/

How to Fit Car Seats Three Across: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-seats/how-to-fit-child-car-seats-three-across/