--- title: "The New VW ID.4 Will Look Different Because It’s Supposed To Be a Tiguan Now" date: "2026-01-23" modified: "2026-01-23" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-new-vw-id-4-will-look-different-because-its-supposed-to-be-a-tiguan-now" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Spy Photos" - "Volkswagen News" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "ID 4" - "Tiguan" - "Volkswagen" - "VW" --- # The New VW ID.4 Will Look Different Because It’s Supposed To Be a Tiguan Now ![A 2025 VW Tiguan and 2027 EV prototype]() Just a few days ago, our spies in Europe sent us photos of a "refreshed" Volkswagen ID.4 with a conspicuously large number of visible changes to the the body structure. Such things are uncommon for mid-cycle updates, and we said as much when we [shared those images with you](). Why would VW go to such lengths to update an EV in a sales climate showing renewed hostility toward electrification? Well, [thanks to *Automotive News*](), we may have the answer: It looks like the the ID.4 is getting a branding overhaul and will emerge as the Tiguan EV—or, to be more precise, the ID Tiguan. VW is reportedly making the change in hopes that using a more-traditional model name for its compact electric crossover will better resonate with customers on an emotional level. That's a pretty highfalutin way of saying that "ID.4" is boring and soulless, but either way, we're not inclined to argue. But while the re-branding effort helps us make sense of Volkswagen's forthcoming updates to the ID.4's sheet metal, it also prompted us to look at the prototype with fresh eyes. Do these changes make more sense now that we know that Volkswagen plans to rebrand it entirely? ![]() ![2027 VW ID 4 spy shot]() ![]() Above left is a 2024 ID.4; above right is the updated prototype we saw earlier this week. The bottom image is of the [2025 Tiguan we drove last year](). We can see some Tiguan-esque manipulation in the side profile. The new mirrors appear to be lifted directly from the gas car, for instance, and the prototype also has the same, old-school pull handles found on the Tiguan (versus the flush-fitting flap style on the ID.4). Note that the charge port on the ID.4 has **not** moved; the image of the production 2024 car has simply been mirrored. ![]() ![]() ![]() If you look carefully at the nose of the prototype, you can see light bleeding out around decals that are likely covering up headlights designed to match the Tiguan's. We can also see that the divider between the upper and lower bumper is more pronounced—another nod to the gas model. Will these changes make for a convincing rebrand? We'll keep our eyes on this to see how it progresses. *Got a news tip? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com!* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()