2021 Nissan Murano vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

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. It replaced the straight lines and sharp angles of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed out to the corners of the body. The ID.4 was part of VW’s EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. Despite its SUV-like styling, the ID.4 didn’t quite look like an SUV, similar to other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric. The interior design blended Volkswagen’s minimalism with a tech-focused aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. Standard features included a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with leatherette upholstery available on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano had a design that was once cutting-edge but had become more mainstream. Its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end were now common in car design. The interior and dash design were conservative, focusing on comfort and ease of use. The Murano was available in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. The base S trim included features like 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added more luxury and convenience features, such as power-adjustable front seats, adaptive cruise control, leather upholstery, and a Bose premium stereo system. The Platinum trim topped the range with a dual-panel panoramic moonroof and premium leather upholstery.

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. 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, relying more on friction brakes to provide a familiar experience for drivers transitioning from gasoline cars.

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD) and offered optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, making it great for city driving, but the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano prioritized comfort, offering a refined ride that absorbed bumps well and handled corners evenly. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, which was lower than many other midsize and compact SUVs.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many competitor EVs, though its legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was more than several EV rivals but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk (frunk), but its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility. However, rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console, though the console itself was narrow and lacked storage for larger items. Standard heated steering wheel and front seats helped maintain cabin heat efficiently.

The 2021 Nissan Murano offered up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with the seats in use. While this was less than some competitors, the Murano made up for it with ease of use, featuring a traditional shifter design and a center console with plenty of trays and cubbies. The Murano excelled in passenger comfort, providing ample headroom and legroom in both rows, with the second-row seats offering partial reclining functionality. Higher trims included a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system (a 12-inch screen was optional) featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced nearly all switchgear. While the setup looked modern, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The ID.4 also included a natural-language voice-control system and the ID.Light feature, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a sensible menu layout, flanked by hard buttons and dials for ease of use. It came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to integrate smartphones. Available tech features included an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation. The straightforward design of the Murano’s infotainment system made it user-friendly and practical for everyday use.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came with standard driver assistance features as part of Nissan Safety Shield 360, including reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional standard features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Optional features included a surround-view parking monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front-and-rear parking sensors.