2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 represented a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, showcasing that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and bright 22-inch rims, adding a touch of elegance to its already handsome figure. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive Volvo elements. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint, paired with a beige-leather and aluminum interior, created a stunning visual contrast. The XC90's interior was a testament to Volvo's craftsmanship, with options like matte wood trim, wool fabric seats, and leather with aluminum or carbon-fiber trim. The seats were exceptionally comfortable, offering power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage, making long journeys a pleasure.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, had a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4's interior design blended Volkswagen's trademark minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1st Edition models offered leatherette upholstery. The ID.4's interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility, although rearward visibility was compromised by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard freed up space on the center console, although the console itself was narrow and close to the floor.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for such a heavy vehicle. The T6 model, with a supercharger in addition to the turbocharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing better performance. The Polestar tune upgrade boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's acceleration was not linear, and the engine noise was unrefined. Fuel economy was also unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with an 11.6-kWh battery providing up to 18 gas-free miles. However, the added weight of the hybrid system negated the speed advantage, and the fuel economy was only slightly better at 27 mpg combined.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The ID.4 was the first rear-wheel-drive Volkswagen passenger car sold in the United States since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive version, with a second electric motor powering the front wheels, arrived later in 2021, increasing power output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. The electric motor's instantaneous torque made acceleration fun, although the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling. The AWD version performed well on twisty roads, but body roll remained an issue. Volkswagen chose not to implement aggressive regenerative braking, opting for a more familiar driving experience with friction brakes.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system initialized faster and responded more quickly than earlier models. The system integrated all climate controls within the touchscreen, with physical buttons for defrosters, volume, and seek controls. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an integrated booster cushion for young children in the middle of the second-row bench. The XC90 offered generous legroom and comfort in the first and second rows, although the third row was tight and suitable only for small children. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available with the last two rows folded. Sightlines from the driver's seat were good, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious from the driver's seat, with good forward visibility despite the steeply-raked windshield. The ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, although legroom was average for the segment. Cargo space was 30.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, more than some EV competitors but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 did not have a "frunk" for extra cargo storage, but the interior felt spacious. The twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard freed up space on the center console, although the console itself was narrow and close to the floor. The heated steering wheel and front seats were effective in maintaining cabin heat during cold weather.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The system performed well in lower-speed traffic, making it one of the best on the market. The R-Design trim featured a phenomenal Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, providing an immersive audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, with high-resolution graphics and intuitive controls. However, onboard apps were slow to load, and the instrument panel offered limited customization compared to competitors. Volvo needed to improve the digital screen's reconfigurability and show individual tire pressures in the TPMS sensors.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with a 12-inch screen optional) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced nearly all switchgear. The touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback, making simple tasks challenging. The natural-language voice-control system responded to the prompt "Hello ID" and allowed for intuitive commands, although it was slow to respond. The ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield, communicated information to the driver, but its novelty wore off quickly. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart-looking graphics and easy-to-navigate menus, offering a choice between smartphone-like icons or a split-screen setup.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), although the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick instead of a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and curtain airbags that remained inflated during rollovers. The XC90 also featured a unique whiplash protection system for the front seats, introduced in 1998.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard 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. The ID.4 also introduced Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering to the adaptive cruise control for highway driving, and Emergency Assist, designed to bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.