Volkswagen has introduced a new variation of its all-electric crossover, dubbed the ID.4 AWD Pro. The dual-motor design improves performance without sacrificing range. Moreover, it is available at a relatively affordable price, beating out competitors such as Tesla and Ford.

AWD Pro and AWD Pro S versions of Volkswagen's all-electric ID.4 SUV will arrive later this year with front and rear motors and an 82 kWh battery pack; the AWD Pro will be priced at $43,675 before incentives, range of 249 miles; the AWD Pro S will have an MSRP of $48,175 and a range of 240 miles on a full charge.

When Volkswagen's ID.4 all-wheel-drive electric SUV arrives in showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year, it will offer better four-season driving performance than the regular ID.4 at a significantly lower starting price than the standard Tesla Model Y. For comparison, the dual-motor Tesla Model Y in long-range configuration has an MSRP of $52,940. With the available $7,500 federal tax credit, the ID.4 price can be lowered to just $36,175. The better-equipped AWD Pro S will sell for $48,175. Keep in mind that a destination charge will add $1,195 to the final price for both variants.

The ID.4 Pro and Pro S models will use the same 82 kWh battery pack as their single-motor rear-wheel-drive siblings, but will have an independent electric motor and single-speed gearbox on the front axle. The rear-axle motor produces 201 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, while the front unit produces 107 hp and 119 lb-ft of torque for a total output of 295 hp. This combination gives the AWD Pro model the ability to perform in inclement weather. Under ideal conditions, it also gives the ID.4 AWD Pro the ability to reach 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. This extra power also pays off in terms of towing capacity. With a maximum payload of 2,700 pounds, the ID.4 AWD Pro has a maximum payload of 500 pounds more than the ID.4 1st Edition.

Despite its name, the ID.4 AWD Pro does not have all four wheels in constant operation. Its Vehicle Dynamics Manager and Electronic Stability Control System can determine when the front axle should be activated, such as when wheel spin is detected, and can do so in just a few hundredths of a second.

The trade-off for this additional traction and power is a slight reduction in driving range. The rear-wheel-drive ID.4 can travel up to 260 miles on a full charge, while the AWD Pro has a maximum range of 249 miles; the AWD Pro S has an even shorter range, running out of charge after 240 miles; although more expensive than the VW, the Tesla Model Y Long Range has a much longer range of 326 miles.

Volkswagen will offer free unlimited DC fast charging for three years on the Electrify America network at the time of purchase. According to the automaker, such power can add 56 miles of range to the ID.4 AWD Pro S and 58 miles to the ID.4 AWD Pro in just 10 minutes.