Volkswagen replaces ID.4 with all-electric Tiguan

Volkswagen said on Monday it will retire the ID.4 crossover and replace it with an all‑electric Tiguan, dubbed the ID.Tiguan, which is expected to reach European showrooms by the end of 2025. The move ends the short life of the ID.4, which was introduced in 2020 as the brand’s flagship mass‑market EV. The new model will sit on the same MEB platform that underpins the current ID family, but it will carry the Tiguan name that millions of buyers already recognize.

The decision comes after the ID.4 failed to meet sales expectations in its core markets. In Europe the model sold just over 70,000 units in 2023, far behind rivals such as the Tesla Model Y and the Hyundai Kona Electric. Analysts say the ID.4’s generic branding made it harder to attract buyers who were already comfortable with the gasoline‑powered Tiguan. VW’s CEO, Oliver Blume, noted that “brand equity matters more than ever as we shift to electric power,” and the company has been reshaping its lineup to lean on familiar nameplates. The shift also reflects pressure from EU emissions rules that demand higher zero‑emission sales by 2030.

The ID.Tiguan will use the proven MEB architecture but will feature a longer wheelbase, a higher roofline and a more spacious interior than the ID.4. Early specifications suggest a range of up to 450 kilometres on the WLTP cycle and a starting price around €38,000, positioning it directly against the Model Y and the Kia EV6. Production is slated for VW’s Zwickau plant, where the ID.4 is already built, allowing the company to reuse existing tooling and keep costs down. Industry observers expect the familiar Tiguan badge to boost pre‑orders, especially in markets where the conventional model has strong brand loyalty.

The rollout of the ID.Tiguan will be a key milestone in VW’s broader electrification plan, which targets 70% of its European sales to be electric by 2030. If the model can capture the Tiguan’s market share, it could help the group close the gap with Tesla and meet tightening emissions targets. The company plans to unveil a prototype at the Frankfurt Motor Show next spring, and dealers will begin taking reservations later this year. The success of the ID.Tiguan will test whether a familiar name can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across the continent.