- Updated VW ID.4 spotted undergoing testing before its expected launch later this year.
- Exterior modifications include new doors, lighting elements, bumpers, and rear hatch.
- Enhanced MEB+ platform may incorporate LFP battery technology, potentially extending driving range.
Volkswagen is actively innovating its electric vehicle lineup, evident even in a market where most models have not gained significant traction this year. The ID.4 stands out as one of two VW models showing increased American sales in 2025, and it is about to undergo a significant makeover.
This major refresh is being referred to internally as the “electric Tiguan,” indicating a focus on aligning its design with that of VW’s other vehicles.
Recent spy shots reveal a crossover that retains its ID.4 identity but boasts sharper, more modern styling. The updated front end features a squarer design, in line with the aesthetics of the forthcoming ID. Cross.
Design Enhancements
The refreshed ID.4 displays notable visual modifications, including newly designed doors equipped with conventional pull handles. The rear section has been similarly refined, showcasing a concave tailgate in place of the previous convex design, joined by a reimagined D pillar.
While this is not a complete redesign—given the constraints of a mid-cycle update—the adjustments in body surface and proportions ensure the ID.4 is more harmoniously aligned with the new Tiguan as well as the upcoming electric ID.Cross, set to launch in Europe in late 2026.
Interior Improvements
Significant enhancements await drivers inside the cabin. The ID.4 will incorporate physical buttons and switches, including a traditional volume knob, updating the user experience significantly. A revamped dashboard, improved materials, and a much more user-friendly interface were previewed in the recently released images of the new ID. Polo.
Accompanying these exterior and interior upgrades is an advanced software system featuring an improved AI-driven voice assistant. The digital gauge cluster will also be modernized to enhance driver information display.
Powertrain and Battery Upgrades
At the core of the ID.4 is the revamped MEB+ platform, which may utilize Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, promising better efficiency and a potential increase in range. Despite these advancements, the vehicle will remain at a 400-volt electrical system for now.
In terms of powertrains, the ID.4 is expected to undergo subtle enhancements, rather than a complete overhaul. Just last year, Volkswagen significantly upgraded the base single-motor ID.4, boosting its output to 282 horsepower (210 kW), reflecting an increase of 80 horsepower (60 kW) from its predecessor.
The refreshed ID.4 is projected to be available by late 2026, ensuring the model’s relevance through 2028. A completely new version is in the pipeline for 2028, likely featuring an 800-volt platform. This next iteration may bear the ID.Tiguan moniker, unless VW opts to use the facelifted version’s name for the 2027 model year.
