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Cost is almost always high on the list of a car shopper’s mind. Buyers will find that the ID.4 Pro’s lower starting price of $44,875 is less than that of the Ioniq 5 SE ($45,850) and the EV6 Light Long Range ($45,950). But there’s even more to this story: among these three models, only the Tennessee-built ID.4 qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit. Further, thanks to recent regulation changes, eligible buyers can apply this amount directly to the purchase price (there’s no need to file a tax return and wait for a refund). Add the immediate tax credit, and the ID.4 is substantially less expensive than its Hyundai and Kia competitors.
Thanks to a revamped powertrain for 2024, the ID.4 readily wins the power and performance contest. Its single electric motor produces 282 horsepower, compared to 225 horsepower for the Ioniq 5 and the EV6. There’s also a considerable difference in torque output, with 402 lb.-ft. for the VW versus 258 lb.-ft. for the Hyundai and Kia. This additional power provides much quicker acceleration for the Volkswagen, which goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Contrast that with the performance of the Ioniq 5 (0 to 60 in 7.4 seconds), which is only an iota slower than the EV6’s time of 7.2 seconds.
These three EVs all hover around a maximum range of 300 miles on a full charge, give or take a few miles. The ID.4 does this with a larger battery pack of 82 kWh compared to the 77.4 kWh units in the Ioniq 5 and EV6. According to Edmunds, charging an ID.4 via a Level 2/240-volt system takes about 8.0 hours, which is quicker than the 8.5 and 8.7 hours needed by the Ioniq 5 and EV6, respectively. All three automakers include free access to fast charging via Electrify America, with VW providing this for three years compared to two years for Hyundai. Kia takes a different approach by offering 1,000 kWh (the equivalent of about 4,000 miles of use) of complimentary charging over three years.
These five-seat EVs have similar dimensions inside and out, but there are a few areas where the ID.4 makes better use of space. First, note that the VW has the most cargo space behind the second row: 30.3 cubic feet versus 27.2 cubic feet for the Hyundai and 24.4 cubic feet for the Kia. The scenario doesn’t change if the rear seats are folded down. The ID.4’s carry space expands to 64.2 cubic feet in maximum cargo mode. That’s appreciably more than the Ioniq 5’s 59.3 cubic feet and the EV6’s 50.2 cubic feet. Meanwhile, taller occupants will notice that there’s greater front-row headroom in the ID.4, with 40.6 inches. The Ioniq 5 has 39.8 inches here, with the EV6 having even less headroom at 39.0 inches.
