2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Gallery

Volkswagen's ID.4 isn't the first electric car to be built on the automaker's new MEB platform, and it certainly won't be the last. It may, however, be the most important, at least to begin with: after all, it's VW's first MEB-based vehicle to make it to the US. A compact crossover SUV, it's resolutely targeting one of the biggest segments in North America right now.

Initially, there'll be a rear-wheel drive 2021 ID.4, with an 82 kWh battery pack. That, VW says, should be sufficient for 250 miles of EPA-rated driving, along with 201 horsepower and 228 lb-ft of torque. A more powerful, dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version will follow in late 2021, with 302 horsepower.

Inside, it's a mixture of familiar and new. The ID.4 shouldn't be too scary to those coming from VW's gasoline and diesel crossovers, but its digital dashboard and plentiful cabin space should be appealing, too. Expect the cheapest variant to come in from $39,995 – before the US federal tax incentive.