2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy distinguished itself with a unique grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, including puddle lamps, additional lower body trim, unique 20-inch wheels, upgraded interior detailing, and a simulated suede interior headliner. These features made the Calligraphy trim look fancier than other Palisades, drawing attention with its unconventional styling. The interior, with its Beige over Navy Blue color scheme, quilted and stitched premium Nappa leather, and suede headliner, made the Calligraphy’s cabin appear far more luxurious than its price suggested.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an EV, showcasing a distinctive look with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed out to the corners of the body. It replaced the straight lines and sharp angles of its gasoline counterparts with a more fluid design. The interior combined Volkswagen’s trademark minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. The ID.4’s cabin felt spacious, with good forward visibility, although rearward visibility was compromised by thick rear pillars and a small back window.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel-drive system. Drivers could choose between Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes, with AWD models adding a Snow mode and a Lock function for improved traction. The Palisade AWD had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg in combined driving, and our test vehicle averaged 21.1 mpg. The Palisade’s firmer suspension provided excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive, though not outright fun. It was undemanding in typical driving scenarios, with plenty of power and easy maneuverability.

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. An all-wheel-drive version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4’s RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered increased power and traction. However, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, with a smooth ride over bumps but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, opting instead for a more familiar driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space, seating, and accessibility. The driver and front passenger enjoyed eight-way power-adjustable seats, with the driver also getting an adjustable thigh support cushion and a heated steering wheel. The front seats and second-row captain’s chairs were heated and ventilated, and third-row passengers had separate climate controls and rear side-window sunshades. The Palisade offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. The hands-free Smart Liftgate added convenience, although it could be turned off if desired.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, although legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The ID.4 did not have a front trunk, but the interior felt spacious from the driver’s seat, with good forward visibility. The console was narrow and close to the floor, offering limited storage space for larger items. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heating during cold weather.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems: an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen requiring a wired connection for smartphone mirroring. The Calligraphy trim included SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, Blue Link connected services, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. Other features included wireless smartphone charging, a Driver Talk intercom system, Quiet Mode, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with an optional 12-inch screen) 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 control setup was difficult to use, but the natural-language voice-control system provided an alternative. The ID.4 also introduced ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. The touchscreen was well-positioned, with smart-looking graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping systems, and a rear occupant alert system. Limited and Calligraphy trims included a more sophisticated ultrasonic rear occupant alert system, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems, Safe Exit Assist, and a Blind View Monitor. Highway Drive Assist provided smooth and sophisticated adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The Palisade earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, and included three free years of Blue Link services for automatic collision warning and emergency assistance.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD version. 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. Travel Assist added automated lane centering, and Emergency Assist brought the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.