Volkswagen and Amazon are gearing up to offer a new take on the automotive test drive. 

Starting this fall, customers in select regions can schedule an in-person Alexa-guided test drive of Volkswagen’s ID.4 SUV on Amazon. 

Following a brief walkaround of the vehicle with a Volkswagen Product Specialist, participants will embark on a real-world test drive with Amazon Alexa as their companion.

The Alexa guided test drive is enabled through an Echo Auto device on the vehicle’s dashboard.

As participants get a feel for the ID.4’s drivability, they can ask Alexa for more information on the functions of the EV. 

For example, a question about the car’s available massaging seats will prompt a response of: “The seat massage function is available in the front seats of the I.D.4 Pro S and Pro S with Gradient. If you’d like to try it, just ask, ‘Alexa, how do I turn on the massage feature?’”

Alexa is able to share information about the car’s other components and features, including its battery, charging, blind spot monitor, connecting to infotainment, cost and regular maintenance.

Through the Test Drive with Alexa program, created in collaboration with Amazon Ads and Amazon Web Services, Volkswagen continues its goal of EV education and democratization, says Andrew Savvas, chief sales and marketing officer, Volkswagen Group of America. 

“In our push to bring EVs and electromobility to all, we need to find new and exciting ways to talk to our customers,” Savvas says in a release. “This collaboration with Amazon does just that. Future Volkswagen owners can experience all our ID.4 has to offer with the aid of a voice service they’ve already come to know.”  

From the customer’s viewpoint, they now can test drive a Volkswagen with the freedom to explore the car without any added pressure from a salesperson.

Volkswagen and Amazon Ads has created a landing page where customers can sign up at www.amazon.com/id4testdrive for a Test Drive With Alexa, and configure their own ID.4. Test drives last approximately 30 minutes.

After the test drive, customers can head to the participating Volkswagen dealership to receive additional information on how to reserve their ID.4 if they decide to purchase one.