by Updated Volkswagen ID.4: First Spy Photos and Expected Changes
Volkswagen continues to actively develop its electric lineup, despite certain sales difficulties in some regions. The ID.4 model, whose sales in the USA showed growth in 2025, is preparing not for a minor update, but for a serious restyling. Inside the company, they have already started calling the updated crossover the “electric Tiguan.”
The first spy shots show a car recognizable as the ID.4, but with noticeable visual changes. Key exterior updates include:
This is not a complete redesign, as mid-lifecycle update possibilities are limited. However, the body proportions and lines have been altered enough to visually bring the ID.4 closer to the new generation Tiguan and the future electric crossover ID.Cross.
Return of Physical Buttons and Interior Update
The most noticeable changes for the driver will occur inside. Volkswagen is returning to physical buttons and switches, which has been one of the most frequent customer requests.
The following interior updates are expected:
- A real adjustable volume knob will appear.
- A new instrument panel will be installed.
- Better upholstery materials will be used.
- The multimedia system’s software interface will be updated.
- The size of the digital instrument cluster will increase.
The software will also receive updates, including an improved AI-powered voice assistant.
Platform and Powertrain Updates
The car’s technical base will also undergo changes. The updated crossover will be built on the refined MEB+ platform, which is expected to receive batteries with LFP chemistry (lithium-iron-phosphate). This should improve efficiency and potentially increase range, although the voltage architecture will remain at 400 volts.
The powertrains will receive only minor updates, as the base single-motor variant of the ID.4 was recently significantly boosted – since 2024, its power is 282 hp. The updated ID.4 model is set to debut closer to the end of 2026 and will remain on the assembly line until approximately 2028. It is then that the arrival of a completely new generation, which will already be built on a true 800-volt platform, is expected. That model will almost certainly be named ID.Tiguan, unless Volkswagen decides to assign this name to the already updated version for the 2027 model year.
The ID.4 restyling is happening at a key moment when the electric car market is becoming increasingly competitive. The emphasis on improvements that customers can feel daily – such as an improved interior with physical buttons and software updates – indicates that Volkswagen has listened to owner feedback. The transition to LFP batteries could make the car more economically viable to produce and operate, which is an important step towards making electric mobility more affordable. The success of this updated model could significantly impact the brand’s position in the electric crossover segment until the arrival of an entirely new platform at the end of the decade.
