2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2020 Acura MDX was often praised for its pleasing appearance, although its styling wasn't groundbreaking. It had a more subdued and sophisticated design that blended well without drawing too much attention. Its signature Jewel Eye LED headlights, with five LED elements per side, provided not only functionality but also a rich look to the vehicle's front. These headlights flanked a trapezoidal grille with a large Acura logo, creating an expressive yet understated face. Overall, the MDX had a sleek, low-slung profile for a three-row SUV, with chiseled details and flawless paint and chrome, typically an Acura strength.

Inside, the MDX offered a modern and simple look, avoiding the excess padding and stitching found in many luxury interiors. Its center stack featured twin infotainment screens: an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation and an On-Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) touchscreen, complemented by a big command wheel and three rows of buttons. High-quality material selection and superior fit and finish made the MDX feel solid and well-constructed, with knobs and switches that actuated with authority.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, designed from the ground up as an EV, showcased a more distinctive look compared to Volkswagen’s gasoline models. It abandoned the straight lines and sharp angles of the Tiguan and Atlas, opting for a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners of the body. The ID.4's design emanated a blend of Volkswagen's trademark minimalism and a smartphone aesthetic, especially in its piano black and matte plastic interior, which might have seemed reminiscent of a 1990s Compaq monitor.

Its interior also featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats as standard on the base ID.4 Pro, with leatherette upholstery on higher trims. While striking in its theme, the ID.4's cabin focused on minimalism with a modern twist. This included ambient lighting and a layout that prioritized a sleek appearance over traditional, tactile switchgear.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrains. The standard was a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with the option of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Sport Hybrid variant combined a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine with three electric motors, amassing a total power output of 321 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and all-wheel drive.

Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system significantly enhanced the MDX's cornering agility by employing torque vectoring. This delivered power to the outside wheel during a turn, sharpening turn-in and improving handling. The MDX showcased good straight-line performance, and its four-wheel independent suspension absorbed road bumps well, making it a comfortable travel companion.

At launch, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a single rear-mounted electric motor generating 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This rear-wheel-drive setup marked a return for VW passenger cars in the U.S. since the Beetle. Later in 2021, an all-wheel-drive version arrived, adding a second electric motor up front, increasing the power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.

The RWD ID.4 displayed a balanced handling demeanor, thanks to the separation of steering and driving duties between the front and rear wheels. The electric motor's instantaneous torque made city driving enjoyable with quick take-offs. Despite its impressive power, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty performance. Its ride over bumps was smooth, although it exhibited considerable body roll in corners, making it clear that performance driving wasn’t its primary focus.

Three-row SUVs like the 2020 Acura MDX have become popular for families due to their functional innovations. The MDX featured sliding and reclining second-row seats, simplifying access to the third row and sharing legroom among passengers. The cargo area offered 15.8 cubic feet behind the third row, which expanded to 43.4 cubic feet with the seats folded flat, and a total of 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded down. Additional storage included a recessed cubby hole and an underfloor storage space. Up front, a flexibly designed center console offered various storage options, while tri-zone climate control provided comfort for all passengers.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, compared to its EV competitors, provided more front and rear headroom though it offered just average legroom. Its cargo space measured 30.3 cubic feet with rear seats up and expanded to 64.2 cubic feet with them down. Unlike the MDX, the ID.4 did not offer a “frunk” but instead focused on maximizing cabin space. Forward visibility was good, while rear visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small rear window. The ID.4 featured innovative storage solutions like a twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard and optimized placement of phone holders and cupholders, but the narrow center console limited its usability for larger items.

The base trim of the 2020 Acura MDX was equipped with a host of tech features including Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text and email capability, a CD/MP3 and WMA-compatible disc player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added more advanced features like rain-sensing wipers, LED puddle lights, parking sensors, navigation, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package further added a surround-view camera system, heated and ventilated seats, and additional USB ports. The Entertainment Package could be added to either Technology or Advance packages and included a rear entertainment system with either a 9.0-inch or a 16.2-inch screen depending on the package.

The 2021 VW ID.4 came standard with a 10-inch touchscreen (and an optional 12-inch screen), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster, and extensive use of haptic touchpads. While visually appealing, these haptic controls were less user-friendly due to the lack of tactile feedback. The ID.4 introduced a natural-language voice-control system, which allowed commands like adjusting temperature or changing radio stations via voice prompts. It also debuted the ID.Light, a light strip that communicated various vehicle statuses and added a futuristic feel to the cabin. Despite some gimmicky features, the basics of the infotainment system were user-friendly, with a well-placed touchscreen and intuitive menu navigation.

The 2020 Acura MDX featured the AcuraWatch suite, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package included Head-Up Warning and a surround-view camera. Crash-test ratings were excellent, with the IIHS rating it “good” in all categories, “superior” in front crash prevention, and the NHTSA awarding it a five-star overall rating.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 also received high praise for safety, earning the Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA for its RWD model. Its driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New features for 2021 included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing highway driving and providing added safety in case of driver incapacitation.