2022 Volkswagen ID.4 Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

Although it only debuted in 2021, the Volkswagen ID.4 is quickly gaining ground within its segment. Since this electric vehicle (EV) hit the market last year, the ID.4 has been hailed for its extensive list of standard infotainment technology and driver aids. It is also much roomier than it looks with plenty of small item storage areas. With its real world electric range and impressive electrical efficiency being so high, the ID.4 captures attention as being one of the most capable EVs now on the market.

But is the VW ID.4 really the vehicle for you? Some of its controls can be quite difficult to operate, plus there are quite a few plastics inside of the cabin that make the vehicle look and feel a bit cheaper than it really is.

That being said, there are only two trim levels that you can choose from on the 2022 VW ID.4 - the Pro and the Pro S. Both of them debuted last year, so trim level-wise, there isn't much to report that is new. However, there are some changes for 2022 that are worth noting before we jump into how these two trim levels differ from one another.

The first big change to the 2022 VW ID.4 line-up is a boost in the DC fast charging, which went from 125 kW up to 135 kW. There are also improved EPA estimates to the ID.4's range. Depending on the trim level, it might go about 2-20 miles longer than it the 2021 models did. This makes for a pretty competitive traveling distance. Just to put things into perspective, the 2021 ID.4 is able to get an EPA-estimated range of 260 miles for the Pro trim or 250 miles for the Pro S when equipped with rear-wheel drive (RWD). This gets reduced to 249 miles for the Pro and 240 miles for the Pro S on the all-wheel drive (AWD) variants. Real-world tests on the 2021 models equipped with RWD suggest that the ID.4 was able to get 287 miles of all electric range and actually took way less energy than its official rating, coming in at 28.8 kWh per 100 miles. This year's improvements should get you a bit closer to that 300-mile mark, placing it right on par with rivals like the Nissan Leaf.

A few other minor changes to be aware of are that you now will get free 30-minute charge sessions at Electrify America stations for your first three years of ownership and

So, just how do the ID.4's trim levels differ from one another? Does the Pro offer a better deal, or is the line-topping Pro S the best deal? Which one has more of the features that you desire? Let's take a look at what each of these two trim levels has in terms of features so that you can make the decision on which - if any - trim level to buy.

Compare the Pro vs Pro S Trims. What is the difference?

Let's start things off by talking about the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4's Pro trim level. The Pro trim and Pro S alike are powered by a 82-kWh battery pack, and these trims are each available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). When it comes to the RWD models, you get one electric motor and a power output of 201. However, if you buy one of the AWD models, you get 295 hp with two motors equipped - one that governs the front wheels and another for the rear wheels, making for a good amount of efficiency.

Both of these trim levels ride on top of 19-inch 5-spoke two-tone machined alloy wheels. And, whereas the Pro comes with automatic LED reflector headlights with their own signature LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and the Coming/Leaving Home function, the Pro S instead opts for the automatic premium LED projector headlights with signature LED DRLs and the Coming/Leaving Home function. The Pro S also has the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with all-weather lights that have low-speed cornering lights built in for improved visibility while rounding through turns.

Both trim levels are adorned with black roof rails, but the Pro S also has a hands-free Easy Open and Easy Close liftgate. The Pro has illumination on the door handles, but the Pro S has it on the VW logo and front grille as well. The Pro S also has a panoramic fixed glass roof. The Pro's power-adjustable and heated side mirrors are upgraded with power-folding, memory, and illumination on the Pro S.

Inside of the Pro, you get 10-color customizable interior ambient lighting, but that is upped to 30 colors in the Pro S. The front seats have 4-way manual adjustability and 2-way power recline in the Pro, which also has 60/40-split folding rear seats. The Pro S upgrades you to a center armrest and pass-through in the rear seats plus 8-way power-adjustable front seats that have integrated memory functionality and 4-way power lumbar support with a massage function. While the Pro has cloth seats, the Pro S does swap them out for V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces.

The AWD ID.4 models come with a heated windshield, and there is a dual-zone automatic climate control system complete with vents in the rear seats. The leather-wrapped tilting and telescoping steering wheel is heated and has multiple controls mounted onto it that allow you to control features like the audio controls. There is a standard auto-dimming rear-view mirror and digital gauge cluster.

Let's talk about what you can expect from the infotainment setup. The Pro trim level combines the Discover Pro touchscreen navigation system with a 10-inch color display, a proximity sensor, a FM/HD radio, and voice controls. Wireless smartphone charging is standard, and wireless (and wired) smartphone app integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come equipped as well. To top it all off, you get VW's Car-Net connection service with its onboard WIFI. Upgrading to the Pro S trim level will get you a 12-inch touchscreen display with built-in gesture control.

As far as driver aids go, the 2022 VW ID.4 Pro trim level gives you a respectable list of standard features. The package is called IQ.Drive, and it gives you a lane keep system, forward collision mitigation, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. The lane keep system will detect when the ID.4 strays over the line and will gently steer it back into the intended driving lane. The forward collision mitigation system will warn you of a potential oncoming crash and apply the brakes when it senses you might not be able to do so in time. The blind spot monitoring system will warn you if a vehicle is in your blind spot when you are in reverse or trying to change lanes. Adaptive cruise control allows you to set a driving distance between the ID.4 and the vehicle in front of it, adjusting as you go. The parking sensors are there to alert you to obstacles that might not otherwise be visible to you in front of or behind the vehicle as you are trying to park.

Now, there is one optional package that you can choose to equip on either ID.4 trim level, and it is known as the Gradient package. If you do opt for the Gradient package, you will get upgraded to 20-inch wheels, silver trim accents, and a black roof with shiny silver roof rails. This is the only way for you to really customize the vehicle beyond just picking color options. There are basically no stand-alone options left over either.

Final Thoughts

Trying to choose between the Pro and Pro S trim levels is certainly not an easy task. If you are absolutely settled on buying the 2022 VW ID.4, then you will probably want to weigh out which trim level is going to be the best fit for you and your unique needs. With a starting MSRP of over $41,000 and a price tag that can soar up into the $50k range, you are going to want to carefully weigh out your decision.

If you want to get the most bang for your buck, then what we suggest doing is this: stick with the base Pro trim level. The Pro trim is actually quite well packed with standard features, and the amount of power you get from the motor(s) is more than adequate. And you absolutely get a good amount of all electric range from the Pro trim level.

If you live in a climate where inclement weather can cause problems while driving, then think about getting an AWD variant. It will take away some of the electric mileage, but you will get more traction and a second motor to power those all-important rear wheels. There is much less risk of a slide-off when you have AWD, and you can feel the wheels track more securely on non-paved road surfaces.

It is fair to say that you should skip over the optional Gradient package. For the extra cost, it does not really give you enough extra features to justify that addition to the price tag. We advise that you pass right over it and just stick with the Pro trim level as it is.

All in all, the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 is a capable electric vehicle. While it has some cheap plastic parts inside of its cabin and certain controls that can be difficult to operate, the ID.4 is quite spacious and provides you with a respectable all electric mileage. It also has the benefit of packing in a ton of standard safety and infotainment features. In fact, the base trim - the Pro - has so many that there is no real need to consider upgrading. The charging experience has been simplified for this model year, and DC fast charging sees a 10 kW gain from last year.

Skip over the optional Gradient package unless you feel that you absolutely need to have those 20-inch wheels. Also, skip right on over the Pro S trim level as it simply does not add in enough extra features to justify the cost of the upgrade. The base Pro trim level should appease the average buyer in the EV segment. It is loaded up with all sorts of creature comforts, from heated front seats to rear seat air vents as part of the climate control system. The 10-inch infotainment system's display is certainly big enough to give driver's some clear visuals.

Just bear in mind that this vehicle is only in its second year of the very first generation. There are bound to be more changes on the horizon as the EV segment expands and changes along with the technology that powers it.