2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design, from the iconic kidney grille to the body shape, was unmistakably BMW, though this familiarity sometimes made it blend in with other BMW models. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights, with xLine models sporting matte aluminum grilles and satin aluminum finishes, while M Sport models had body-color matched trims and high-gloss black accents for a sportier look. Wheel options ranged from 19 to 22 inches, adding to its upscale appearance. Inside, the X5's interior was a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though the abundance of black plastic could collect dust. M Sport models had unique, aggressive styling elements, including an M sports steering wheel and exclusive trim strips.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, designed as an EV from the ground up, showcased a distinctive look that set it apart from VW's gasoline models. It replaced the straight lines and sharp angles of the Tiguan and Atlas with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed to the corners. The ID.4, based on VW's MEB platform, followed the ID.3 hatchback and was tailored for the U.S. market as a crossover. Despite its SUV-like styling, the ID.4's appearance was more akin to a hatchback, similar to other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric. Inside, the ID.4 combined VW's minimalism with a tech-forward design, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while higher trims offered leatherette upholstery.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with sDrive indicating RWD and xDrive indicating AWD. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid combined a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were mixed, with a smooth ride and quiet cabin but less engaging handling compared to other BMW SUVs. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M at 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg, the X5 xDrive at 23 mpg, and the xDrive45e at 50 MPGe when using both gas and electric power.

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. It was the first RWD VW passenger car in the U.S. since the Beetle, with an AWD version arriving later in 2021, increasing power to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered more power and traction. Despite its performance potential, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort, with a smooth ride but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not emphasize regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, instead opting for a more traditional driving experience with friction brakes and coasting efficiency.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned out of the way and a wireless phone charging pad. The center console's buttons and dials were hard to differentiate at night. Seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after a few hours. The rear seats were comfortable for kids and adults, with an optional third row available. The split liftgate was easy to operate, and the vehicle height adjustment button on the lower liftgate aided in loading cargo. The X5's cargo area was spacious, though slightly reduced in the xDrive45e model. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it harder to move children and cargo in and out.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious compared to other EVs, with more front and rear headroom than competitors, though legroom was average. It offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, more than several EV rivals but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, prioritizing cabin space instead. Forward visibility was good, but rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the narrow center console, which had limited storage for larger items. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heating in cold weather.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system had connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. Other standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, premium audio systems, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with a 12-inch option), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads for controls. The touchpads lacked tactile feedback, making them difficult to use without looking. The control setup required relearning simple tasks, which felt unnecessarily complicated. The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system, responding to "Hello ID" and allowing for easy adjustments, though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light strip at the base of the windshield communicated information through color changes and light patterns, but its novelty wore off quickly. The touchscreen was well-positioned with intuitive menus, offering a choice between smartphone-like icons or a split-screen setup.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driving Assistance Professional Package added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, but it had issues with timely reactions to stopped traffic and lane-keeping in sunlight and rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New for 2021, Travel Assist added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist could stop the car if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.