2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to meet the growing demand for crossovers. Subaru added rugged looks, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and a higher driving position to the Impreza, creating a vehicle that could compete with larger SUVs. The Crosstrek featured black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height, providing 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These changes gave the Crosstrek a more SUV-like appearance and character, enhanced by vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl.

Underneath, the Crosstrek shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Legacy, Outback, Ascent, and Forester, ensuring a refined and polished design. The interior, while functional, was somewhat plain, with the Sport trim level featuring clashing color accents and cheap-looking simulated carbon-fiber trim. However, the water-repellant StarTex upholstery was a practical addition for outdoor adventures.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV), showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. Unlike the Tiguan and Atlas, the ID.4 featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, giving it a unique appearance. Based on VW's EV-specific MEB platform, the ID.4 followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback, but was brought to the U.S. as a crossover due to market preferences.

The ID.4's interior combined Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. 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. Despite its sleek design, the ID.4's interior had some practical shortcomings, such as limited rearward visibility and a narrow center console with minimal storage space.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The Sport and Limited trims featured a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four engine, delivering 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid version had been available since 2019, but no updates were announced for 2021.

The boxer engine's lower profile provided a lower center of gravity, improving handling. However, the raised ride height for an SUV-like stance negated some of this benefit. The Crosstrek came standard with AWD, including torque vectoring and X-Mode for loose surfaces. The new Sport trim added Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. Despite these features, the Crosstrek was more suited for pavement, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride, though the higher center of gravity resulted in noticeable body roll.

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 rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.

RWD provided balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. The electric motor's instantaneous torque made acceleration fun, though the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, resulting in noticeable body roll. The AWD version offered better performance on twisty roads, thanks to added traction and power. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not support one-pedal driving, relying on friction brakes for a more familiar driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. Cargo space was 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made the Crosstrek competitive in passenger space but less so in cargo space compared to other small crossovers.

The Crosstrek included a rear-seat reminder, a handy cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports, and decent-sized bottle holders in the doors. However, the driving position, while higher than the Impreza's, did not provide the commanding view of traditional SUVs. Outward visibility was good, thanks to large side windows and a car-like front fascia.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average. Cargo space was 30.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, more than most EV rivals but less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 did not have a front trunk (frunk), prioritizing cabin space instead.

The interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but substandard rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 featured a twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the narrow center console. The console offered limited storage, but the cabin included practical features like heated steering wheel and front seats, which proved effective in cold weather.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used the Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc CD player. The top Limited trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, which was optional on lower trims.

The Crosstrek's infotainment system included a second screen above the main touchscreen, displaying redundant information. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to navigate, and Subaru provided large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions, ensuring ease of use while driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (a 12-inch screen was optional) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced most switchgear. While visually appealing, the touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback, making simple tasks challenging.

The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system, responding to the prompt "Hello ID." This allowed drivers to adjust settings without using the touchpads, though the system was slow to respond. The ID.4 also featured ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. While interesting, it was easy to overlook. The touchscreen was well-positioned, with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2020 model, virtually identical to the 2021 version, a "Top Safety Pick" rating.

The Crosstrek's EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control with lane centering, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The system worked well but had limitations, such as being blocked by windshield wipers or direct sunlight. The optional blind-spot monitoring system was effective, with prominent warning lights on the exterior mirrors.

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. The AWD version had not been tested by the NHTSA.

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. The ID.4 also introduced Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing highway driving and safety. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding to acceleration and deceleration.