Volkswagen has expanded the ID.4 range, adding two new versions with a smaller 52kWh battery. A result of this is that VW has been able to sneak the entry-level car in at less than £35,000, meaning it is eligible for the government’s now capped plug-in car grant.  

The news comes very soon after VW expanded the ID.4 range in the opposite direction with the performance orientated GTX. Two new entry-level models now also make Wolfsburg’s small SUV an even more tempting prospect for an entire section of the buying public simply by dipping under that all-important £35,000 mark.  

Two trim levels – Pure and Pure Performance – each now come with a 52kWh battery, some 25kWh less than the 77kWh unit available on ID.4 models up until now. Two new, lower power output levels ensure that the smaller battery’s range is maximised.  

Powertrain options 

The entry level Volkswagen ID.4 is now called ‘Pure’. It comes with a 146bhp, 164lb-ft motor powering the rear wheels. Performance is obviously down on the 198bhp cars which have made up the range until now, but with 0-62mph taking 10.9 seconds and top speed capped at 99mph across the range, most people won’t miss the additional poke. Range in this guise is a maximum of 213 miles.  

Up things to the Pure Performance version and the motor gets 168bhp and 228lb-ft. Those 22 additional horses and the added urgency of those 64 additional lb-ft bring the 0-62mph time down to nine seconds dead – only 0.5 seconds down on the heavier 77kWh cars. Again, 213 miles is the WLTP range.  

The 52kWh battery can be charged at up to 100kW, charging to 80 per cent in 38 minutes. Using a 7.2kW home charger will deliver a comfortable overnight charge from 0-100 per cent in 7.5 hours.  

Tech and equipment 

Despite its comparatively low entry price of less than £35,000, the base-spec ID.4 City gets a decent array of kit. This includes standard LED lights front and rear, front assist, lane assist and adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and rain and parking sensors front and rear. Inside, the City-spec car gets 10 colour ambient lighting and a 10 inch Discover Navigation Pro infotainment system.  

Above City is the Style spec car, which gains 18 inch alloys, IQ.Light matrix headlight with dynamic light assist, a front LED strip between the headlamps, 3D tail lamps, illuminated door handle recesses and tinted windows from the rear passenger windows back. Inside, there is three-zone climate control and a rear-view camera as part of the standard assistance package, as well as keyless entry and starting. 

Both trim levels are available on both the lower-powered Pure cars and higher-powered Pure Performance variants.  

Price and availability  

With the introduction of the Pure and Pure Performance versions of the ID.4, Volkswagen is opening up the car to more people with a lower entry price. In City Pure guise, it starts at £34,650 – or £32,150 once the all-important plug-in car grant is applied. The Style Pure car costs £38,150.  

Upping the power with the City Pure Performance spec car will set you back £36,030, and the Style Pure Performance comes in at £39,530. Buyers can order any of the 52kWh versions of the ID.4 now.