2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Ford Explorer showcased a design that was part of Ford's consistent SUV lineup, featuring a family resemblance across models like the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. The Explorer's exterior was sporty with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, although it could be mistaken for the Edge at a quick glance. The vehicle offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dashboard was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, boasted a distinctive look that set it apart from VW's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of models like the Tiguan and Atlas. The ID.4's interior combined Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, using piano black and matte plastic materials. 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 interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but substandard rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed the Kia Telluride's V6, despite the Telluride being lighter. All Explorer trims came with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with the sport-oriented ST trim offering 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

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 Volkswagen passenger car in the U.S. since the Beetle. An AWD version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, increasing power to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The ID.4's RWD provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered more power and traction. The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, with a smooth ride but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking, relying more on friction brakes.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base model seated seven, while other trims with captain’s chairs in the second row reduced seating to six. It offered 39 inches of second-row legroom, which was competitive but not class-leading. With the third row deployed, the Explorer provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was less than some competitors.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many EV competitors, though its legroom was average. It provided 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 models like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, but its cabin felt spacious, with good forward visibility. The center console was narrow, offering limited storage space for larger items.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford’s Sync 3 system, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and up to 14 speakers. Charging options included two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC outlet available on higher trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster. It used haptic touchpads instead of traditional switchgear, which proved difficult to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4 also featured a natural-language voice-control system and ID.Light, a light strip that communicated information to the driver. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The base model included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite with features like auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received 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 features for 2021 included Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering, and Emergency Assist, which could stop the car if the driver was incapacitated.