2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to traditional SUV styling, with its tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and prominent grille. It offered a clean and handsome design, though it lacked the personality of some competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The Traverse's restrained styling allowed for distinct trim level differentiation, with options like blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome accents on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, featuring an optional Dual SkyScape sunroof and materials that were decent but not exceptional for its price range.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 showcased a distinctive design as an electric vehicle, moving away from the rugged appearance of its gasoline counterparts. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, giving it a unique look among EVs. The interior combined Volkswagen's minimalist style with a tech-focused aesthetic, using piano black and matte plastic materials. The ID.4's cabin felt spacious, with good forward visibility, although rearward visibility was hindered by thick pillars. The innovative twist-grip gear selector and lack of a "frunk" highlighted VW's focus on maximizing cabin space.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The Traverse excelled in highway comfort, offering a quiet cabin and smooth ride, though it lacked agility on twisty roads. Its AWD system, which required manual activation, could distribute torque to individual wheels but didn't noticeably enhance handling. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, which was average for its class.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 initially launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery. An AWD version with a second motor increased output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered improved traction and power. Despite its comfort-oriented tuning, the ID.4 handled twisty roads reasonably well. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 didn't emphasize regenerative braking, opting for a more traditional driving experience with friction brakes.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom across all rows. It excelled in cargo space, providing 23.0 cubic feet with all seats up, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The Traverse's interior storage options were limited, typical for midsize crossovers. Higher trim levels featured conveniences like a gesture-activated liftgate and power-folding third row, enhancing its practicality.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 provided more front and rear headroom than many EV 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, surpassing several EV rivals but falling short of gasoline models like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4's interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility, though rear visibility was compromised. The innovative gear selector and lack of a "frunk" emphasized cabin space, but the center console's narrow design limited storage for larger items.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Bose audio system available on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for volume and climate. The Traverse also offered a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and maneuverability. USB ports were standard across all rows, but wireless charging was limited to higher trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen, with a 12-inch option, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The control setup relied heavily on haptic touchpads, which lacked tactile feedback and required relearning basic functions. The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system and the innovative ID.Light, which communicated information through a light strip. While some features felt gimmicky, the infotainment basics were well-executed, with a well-positioned touchscreen and intuitive menus.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it had mixed headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Traverse offered fewer standard driver-assist features than competitors, with many options available only on higher trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 earned the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. It came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. New features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist enhanced its safety offerings, with Travel Assist providing smooth lane-centering and responsive acceleration and deceleration.