2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely carrying over from its previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to follow the adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim looked plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but the Forester's clean and unpretentious look stood out among compact crossovers. The Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with a complementary paint color like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback, maintaining its rugged SUV marketing despite shared underpinnings with sedans and hatchbacks. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand years of use. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and an All-Weather Package with heated seats and mirrors. The Forester's interior was functional, if not particularly stylish, with a focus on durability and practicality.

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 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 was part of VW's EV-specific MEB platform, following the ID.3 hatchback. While it didn't look much like an SUV, it shared this trait with other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric.

Inside, the ID.4 blended Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic materials. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while higher trims offered leatherette upholstery. The interior design aimed for a tech-forward feel, though some elements, like the gray plastic, felt dated. The ID.4's interior was spacious, with good forward visibility but limited rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. The unique twist-grip gear selector and narrow center console added to the futuristic vibe, though storage space was limited.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. Subaru quoted a 1,500-pound towing capacity, with Trailer Stability Assist as standard. However, the lack of a turbocharged engine option meant the Forester's power felt merely adequate, struggling during highway merges and overtakes. The suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in significant body roll in corners and a bouncy ride on uneven pavement.

All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, a hallmark of Subaru's identity, with a sophisticated drivetrain featuring X-Mode for different surfaces. Sport models had Dual X-Mode with "Snow/Dirt" and "Snow/Mud" modes. Higher trims included hill-descent control and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making the Forester capable on mud and dirt. However, for serious off-roading, alternatives like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or Ford Bronco Sport were better suited.

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) VW passenger car in the U.S. since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version with a second motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The RWD setup provided balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. The electric motor's instantaneous torque made city driving enjoyable.

The ID.4 was tuned for comfort, with a smooth ride over bumps but noticeable body roll in corners. The AWD version performed well on twisty roads, thanks to added traction and power, but still prioritized comfort over sportiness. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 didn't emphasize regenerative braking, relying on friction brakes for a more familiar driving experience. This decision aimed to ease the transition for drivers moving from gasoline cars, though it might disappoint EV enthusiasts.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel, though it let in a lot of sunlight. The Forester had 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded, more than a Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson but less than a Ford Escape or Nissan Rogue. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on higher trims. The interior featured decently sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average phone, and wireless charging wasn't available. The large knobs for audio and climate control were user-friendly, but the numerous steering wheel buttons could be confusing.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious, with more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, 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 a Nissan Leaf or Hyundai Kona Electric but less than a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 didn't have a front trunk (frunk), prioritizing cabin space instead. Forward visibility was good, but rearward visibility was limited by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard freed 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 seats were comfortable but lacked thigh support, leading to an awkward driving position.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while higher trims added navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons, though the screen was slow to boot up. A secondary screen on the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster displayed additional information, but the setup felt overly complex.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with an optional 12-inch screen), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster. Haptic touchpads replaced most physical controls, which looked cool but were difficult to use without tactile feedback. The control setup required relearning simple tasks, like adjusting mirrors or lowering rear windows. The natural-language voice-control system, activated by "Hello ID," allowed for easier adjustments but was slow to respond. The ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield, communicated information to the driver but felt gimmicky. Despite these quirks, the touchscreen was well-positioned, with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included Subaru's EyeSight system, with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. EyeSight's camera-based system was cheaper and easier to package than radar-based systems, allowing Subaru to roll it out quickly. The Forester also offered a driver-monitoring system, DriverFocus, to ensure drivers remained attentive. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.

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. 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 were Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to stop the car if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.