Introduction
Another typical petrol car user participated in the Volkswagen ID. series test event in the garage, who has bought multiple cars and has accumulated very high mileage (over 800,000 kilometers).
Before participating in this test, we could feel his lack of trust in current new energy vehicles and range anxiety, just like most ordinary consumers.
Therefore, this user’s feedback in this test will also stand from the perspective of a petrol car user, which will have some reference significance for those who have not had deep contact or used electric vehicles.
It is an honor to have a three-day test drive of the Volkswagen’s new energy vehicle ID.6 CROZZ, thanks to the Garage 42 for giving me this precious opportunity. As a car owner who has repeatedly purchased Volkswagen and German vehicles since obtaining a driver’s license in 2007, I have owned 2009 1.6 manual Sagitar, 2011 Audi A4L, 2013 Mercedes E260L (in use), 2017 Nissan Qijun (in use), etc., with a total mileage of more than 800,000 kilometers.
For range anxiety of new energy vehicles and doubts about electrically-driven travel, I have maintained a conservative attitude towards upgrading to new cars, and the first car with a Shanghai license plate was chosen as a plug-in hybrid vehicle. During this period, I have test-driven domestic-brand electric vehicles, but the sudden acceleration, rough interior, and loose chassis performance made me not interested in owning them. However, after this deep test drive, my view of new energy vehicles has been completely changed!
Test drive experience sharing
Below are mainly from the following aspects to share my feelings of the three-day deep test drive, personal views, for reference only:
Range
Let’s talk about the range experience first, regarding the mileage performance of the Volkswagen’s new energy vehicle ID.6 CROZZ:
- The displayed standard range at delivery is around 460km;
- The route accounted for 40% highway + 30% congested roads + 30% county roads;
- The entire journey is a back and forth highway and national road between Chongming and Changxing Island, with 4 passengers on board and normal use of air conditioning;
In the end, the actual range was 410km. It basically covers the situation of daily driving, and calculated based on a daily 50km commutes, it only needs to be charged more than once a week, which is enough for daily commuting and weekend outings.
Power
As for the power of the Volkswagen’s new energy vehicle ID.6 CROZZ, the acceleration of electric vehicles is obviously better than that of petrol vehicles, with high transmission efficiency and relatively large power.# Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ Technical Specs
The Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ boasts a maximum torque of 310 N·m and a maximum power of 150kW (equivalent to 200 PS), with a single motor rear-wheel drive layout and high-grip SUV tires measuring 235 50R20 for the front and 265 45R20 for the rear wheels. This setup offers stable support and sustained power performance, with no rivals at speeds below 80 mph (excluding sports cars such as Lamborghini, Porsche 911, and Audi R8) and ample reserve power for passing at speeds above 120 mph. Additionally, the Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ has a solid chassis that maintains stable acceleration on slightly bumpy county roads and construction sites.
Interior Experience
Regarding the interior of the new Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ electric vehicle, compared with the IQ, ROEWE, and NIO models that I have test driven, the Volkswagen’s interior is relatively conventional, with soft materials covering almost every area that is within reach. The dashboard has a piano lacquer finish, and the handles have a low-drag surface, which feels comfortable to touch. The electronic gear shift lever is a bit stiff at first, unlike the smooth Mercedes shifter, but after using it for half a day, I quickly adapted to it. All you need to do is gently twist, and the transmission shifts smoothly. Therefore, the Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ is an excellent choice for novice drivers or female drivers.
Moreover, the small screen and gear shift mechanism can adjust alongside the direction of the steering wheel, providing an excellent tactile experience.
Improved Experiences Compared with My Previous Car
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Power: Smooth acceleration, ample power reserves.
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Comfort: Driving long distances and congested road conditions are not tiring. The steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and brake pedal are light and easy to operate, complemented by intelligent driving assistance features such as adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, further enhancing safety.
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Chassis: Derived from mature Volkswagen SUV models, ID.6 CROZZ’s chassis is stable at high speeds and provides excellent support for uneven road conditions, giving the driver confidence throughout the journey.
Seating Comfort and Air Conditioning Efficiency
The front seats have heating and massage functions, which allow drivers and passengers to apply moderate pressure massages to their backs during long-distance trips without affecting safe driving. The seats also have heating functions for winter use, and the benefits of these features are known to anyone who has used them.
The massage function, which was once only available in million-dollar luxury cars, is now commonplace in regular households, a testament to the progress of technology and the benefits it brings to car owners. It is worth noting that the firm seats offer passengers support, but they may tire the body during long trips.
As for how to balance the performance and comfort of the seating, and whether the seats can be adjusted to provide different levels of softness, hardness, and support, similar to adjusting the driving modes of the vehicle, the answer can only be found in the future designs of Volkswagen’s engineers.
After three days of extensive test drives, the air conditioning system’s power consumption is within a reasonable range, and the resulting power loss and impact on vehicle performance are negligible.
Audio ExperienceAs a long-distance self-driving enthusiast, my car carrying USB flash drives and Bluetooth music on my phone have accompanied me through many solo rainy nights on the road and deserted plateaus. The intermittent signal and poor car experience have left me with some regrets.
The Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ connected to CarPlay in the Volkswagen Intelligent Cabin not only makes connection convenient and simple, but also seamlessly transfers the functions of the phone to two screens. APPs like Netease Cloud Music can play files online, and the speaker resolution is good, with smooth transitions across various frequency bands and a delicate, authentic, warm and natural sound.
Subway Station Scene Fully Loaded
As a standard 7-seater SUV, the third row can be accessed with a pull cord in the second row. The ride experience of the Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ in all seats is comfortable with the proper adjustment of the driver and the passenger seats. The second row can be adjusted in position, and the third row is a bit smaller, but adjusting the second row seats can accommodate adults of normal physique and provide space for short-distance traveling.
Driving Assistance Experience
Before the first day’s deep test drive on the highway, I tested various driving assistance functions.
After getting on the highway, the car followed automatically and cruised smoothly. The turning behavior and follow-up experience during overpasses/high-speed ramps were very impressive! It can actively assist in turning, and keep a reasonable and safe distance from the front car, so that the driver can reduce the intensity of high-speed driving and enjoy the journey with ease and in a calm state while ensuring safety.
AR-HUD Effect
HUD is a feature that used to require high-end configuration and additional fees for BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and now it is available in the Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ, showing their sincerity.
For the front driving cars, they can recognize specific vehicle dimensions and brands, and switch left and right to identify and remind navigation conditions. This allows the driver to identify navigation instructions in advance with clear color signals without leaving the windshield, improving high-speed driving safety.
Long-distance Driving Experience
This involves several aspects:
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Intelligent driving assistance effectively reduces driving fatigue and improves safety.
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Quietness during driving is due to Volkswagen quality control and noise reduction performance. Passengers can communicate and enjoy music easily during high-speed driving.
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High-speed charging experience. This hasn’t been experienced yet, but a short trip of 460 kilometers is sufficient.
Loading Space Performance
To test space, we loaded a household washing machine to Chongming Island this time.
Just fold down the third row to make it become a flat surface, which is convenient for loading large luggage, furniture, etc. The trunk space performance is excellent. Especially in scenes like supermarket shopping, it’s cool to kick and open the tailgate conveniently with both hands to load items.
Summary of Experience
Most satisfying function: quietness, power, and intelligent driving assistance.
Function most dissatisfied with: seat hardness, and the screen is still not large enough.
Hope for improvement in which aspect: hope the car body can be wider and larger, after all, Chinese people still prefer large cars.
Hope to have the opportunity to test the limit of endurance and other contents in-depth next time. Thank you, Volkswagen! That’s it…
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.