Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2021 Volkswagen ID.4

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Fully electric
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Advanced
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)
Standard system
Basic

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2021-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro EV 4-door

The Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced in the 2021 model year as the first electric SUV in Volkswagen's lineup. These ratings also apply to the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, introduced in the 2022 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN2105
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Footrest (cm) 5
Left toepan (cm) 5
Brake pedal (cm) 7
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 7
Lower instrument panel (cm) 5

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN2105
Head
HIC-15 307
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.30
Chest maximum compression (mm) 27
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.33
Right 0.48
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.6
Right 1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 68
Right 57

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2021-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro EV 4-door

The Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced in the 2021 model year as the first electric SUV in Volkswagen's lineup. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen/Audi. These ratings also apply to the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, introduced in the 2022 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP2111
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Footrest (cm) 7
Right toepan (cm) 5
Center toepan (cm) 3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 3
Right lower dash (cm) 3

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2111
Head
HIC-15 266
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 25
Maximum Nij 0.28
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.54
Right 0.37
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.5
Right 2.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 57
Right 74

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2111
Head
HIC-15 324
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 35
Femur (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.29
Right 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.0
Right 2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 51
Right 62

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2021-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro EV 4-door

The Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced in the 2021 model year as the first electric SUV in Volkswagen's lineup. These ratings also apply to the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, introduced in the 2022 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the moderate overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag during rebound.

Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were very low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF2106
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 1
Center (cm) 1
Right (cm) 1
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -1
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF2106
Head
HIC-15 238
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm) 30
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.1
Femur force - right (kN) 0.1
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.23
Maximum tibia index - right 0.23
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.6
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 39
Right 55

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2021-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro EV 4-door

The Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced in the 2021 model year as the first electric SUV in Volkswagen's lineup. These ratings also apply to the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, introduced in the 2022 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2111
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -26.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2111
Head HIC-15 80
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 30
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 28
Average deflection (mm) 22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.11
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.41
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.6
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.2
Combined force (kN) 1.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.6
L-M moment (Nm) 50
A-P moment (Nm) -31

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2111
Head HIC-15 137
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 12
Lateral force (kN) 0.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 23
Average deflection (mm) 18
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.77
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.23
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.4
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.9
Combined force (kN) 2.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.3
L-M moment (Nm) 49
A-P moment (Nm) -20

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2021-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S EV 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced in the 2021 model year as the first electric SUV in Volkswagen's lineup. These ratings also apply to the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, introduced in the 2022 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2213
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -29.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2213
Head
HIC-15 41
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 25
Lateral force (kN) 0.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 21
Average deflection (mm) 18
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.70
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.15
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 1.6

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2213
Head
HIC-15 243
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 7
Lateral force (kN) 0.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 18
Average deflection (mm) 14
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.94
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.19
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.0

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2021-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S EV 4-door

Ratings apply to the Volkswagen ID.4 (tested) and the structurally similar all new Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight4,678 lbs
Peak force24,969 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.34

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leatherette seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leatherette seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 36
Distance below top of head (mm) -4
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 9.7
Head contact time (ms) 61
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 9
Max neck tension (N) 219

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Pro S trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left curve and fair on the sharp left and both right curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Pro S trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 104.3 m None
Straightaway left edge 76.8 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 70.6 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 70.0 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 57.4 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 54.1 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 124.3 m
Straightaway left edge 112.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 71.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 75.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 57.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 56.2 m

Trim level(s)

  • Pro trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right curve and fair on the gradual right and both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Pro trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 77.9 m None
Straightaway left edge 61.1 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 61.8 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 61.0 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 57.5 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 54.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 145.2 m
Straightaway left edge 103.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 70.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 67.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 56.8 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Front Assist
  • Standard Front Assist (with Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Front Assist (with Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring)

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2021-22 models

Advanced
Advanced

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 15 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 20 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 16 mph. A warning was issued 2.1 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (night)

Night

System details

  • standard Front Assist (with Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring)

Overall evaluation

Includes high-beam assist credit

This rating applies to 2021-22 models of the following trim lines: Pro S trim
Basic
Basic

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 15 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 1 mph.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 5 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 1 mph and a warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

About pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2021-24 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimPro
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimPro
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 1
Clearance angle (degrees) 81
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 75
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 82
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation