The heavily revised one Volkswagen ID.4 For the first time, an electric SUV has been spotted on public roads. Rival Tesla Model Y is expected to launch in Europe later this year, before possibly launching in Australia in 2027.
The ID.4 was the brand’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV) in Europe, where Volkswagen’s electric car sales rose sharply. This also includes the ID.7 large car, which was the best-selling electric car of all brands in Germany in 2025.
According to reports, the update could also bring a name change Auto Express The ID.4 message can be renamed to ID. Tiguan, as the automaker looks to use familiar model names across its electric vehicle lineup.
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Volkswagen has not made any official comment or confirmed the updated ID.4 for Australia.
Regardless of the final naming choice, the spy images suggest that the ID.4’s exterior will adopt the design language introduced by the smaller Volkswagen ID.Cross Concept electric SUV shown at the 2025 Munich Motor Show.
The camouflaged test vehicle hides redesigned front and rear sections, although details such as more conventional door handles – which replace the current ID.4’s flush elements – are clearly visible.
Also seen are new doors and a revised window line, as well as a more robust rear design with a redesigned full-width “rear panel” light bar and a chunkier diffuser-style lower rear bumper.
While the updated ID.4 will feature a significantly different design, it is expected to retain its core dimensions and hard points, including the wheelbase and pillar structure.
The ID.4 shares its MEB underpinnings with a number of Volkswagen Group’s other electric vehicles such as the Skoda Enyaq and Audi Q4 e-tron, but the updated model is expected to switch to the improved MEB+ platform.
This is expected to introduce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology to some variants, while nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion batteries are likely to continue to be available in longer range versions.
The interior is also expected to see significant changes, including a new dashboard layout, as Volkswagen switches back to physical buttons in response to customer criticism of its minimalist interiors that rely on touch-sensitive switches and touchscreen controls.
More responsive software is also expected as part of the update, aiming to improve the performance of the remaining digital features.
The ID.4 and companion ID.5 coupe-SUV arrived in Australia in 2025 – about five years after production began – but have struggled to sell as both were outsold in 2025 by rivals, including the Zeekr 7X, which only hit local showrooms in October.
Volkswagen Australia announced Daily Sparkz At the end of 2025, electric vehicle sales were in line with internal expectations, reflecting subdued demand as buyers remained in a “sitting phase” due to charging infrastructure concerns and range anxiety.
The current ID.4 range for the Australian market opens with the Pro variant, priced at $59,990 (before on-road costs), which features a 210kW rear-wheel drivetrain and a claimed range of 544km on the WLTP cycle.
Stepping up to the flagship GTX costs an additional $10,000 and adds a second electric motor for all-wheel drive, increasing power to 250kW and a claimed WLTP range of 511km.
While Volkswagen has not yet confirmed the updated ID.4 for Australia, the company has confirmed other upcoming activities in the mid-to-large SUV space.
Following the launch of the new-generation Tiguan and the Tiguan Allspace-replacing Tayron last year, Volkswagen Australia will introduce a plug-in hybrid version (PHEV) of the two related crossover SUVs.
MORE: Explore the Volkswagen ID.4 showroom
