Volkswagen ID.4

2026 Volkswagen ID.4 Will Be Almost Unrecognizable, And It Might Get a New Name

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The Volkswagen ID.4 has been a solid option for anyone looking to go electric without breaking the bank. It’s comfortable, practical, and priced well. But in today’s fast-moving EV world, the current ID.4 is starting to feel a little outdated.

That’s about to change, in a big way.

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A Full Redesign, Inside and Out

According to a new report from Autocar, Volkswagen is preparing a major facelift for the ID.4, set to arrive as a 2026 model. But this isn’t just a minor update. VW’s Passenger Cars CEO, Thomas Schäfer, says it’s going to be so different, it could be considered a whole new generation.

“We’ll redo the ID.4 completely inside and out,” Schäfer told Autocar. “It will be a completely different car—a huge step up.”

That means more than just a few design tweaks. Expect an entirely new interior, fresh exterior styling, and likely upgraded tech and performance to keep pace with newer rivals.

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A New Look, and Possibly a New Name

Visually, the new ID.4 will align more closely with the upcoming ID.1 and ID.2, compact electric cars VW is planning for Europe. Schäfer described the redesign as “really beautiful,” and hinted that it’s part of a broader push to modernize the look of Volkswagen’s EV lineup.

But here’s the kicker: Volkswagen might even change the ID.4’s name entirely.

According to Autocar, there’s a strong chance VW will rebrand the 2026 model as the Electric Tiguan. While nothing has been confirmed yet, it fits a larger branding shift inside the company. Schäfer has previously said it would be foolish to abandon successful legacy names like Golf and Tiguan.

“We’ve decided we’re not going to throw away the traditional, successful names that have carried us for so long… Why would you let them go?” Schäfer told the outlet.

That logic could very well apply to the ID.4, especially as VW looks to better connect its EVs with its most trusted models.

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Why It Matters

The ID.4 is still Volkswagen’s top-selling electric vehicle, especially in North America. But with strong competition from Tesla, Hyundai, Ford, and others, VW knows it needs to stay ahead of the curve. This redesign, and possible name change, is meant to keep the brand competitive and appealing to both loyal fans and new EV buyers.

With a full reveal expected in 2025 and the launch planned for the 2026 model year, we’ll likely start seeing prototypes and teasers in the coming months.