2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the rugged styling of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4's design was part of Volkswagen'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. Inside, the ID.4 blended Volkswagen's minimalism with a tech-focused aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and cloth seats on the base model.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle changes to the rear fascia. The grille appeared more upright, flanked by large fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier look. Unlike the rugged styling of the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, the Equinox maintained a car-based crossover appearance with a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia. The dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the center, and materials and fit and finish were decent for the price. The new RS model added black exterior trim, darkened 19-inch wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, giving it a bit more personality.

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 Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. 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 added traction and power. However, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, with noticeable body roll in corners but a smooth ride over bumps. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, opting for a more familiar driving experience with friction brakes.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Equinox had more torque than most rivals but less horsepower, making it responsive in city driving but less so at higher speeds. The engine felt coarse and unresponsive at higher RPMs, and the automatic transmission's shifts were a bit rough. Despite the RS model's sporty appearance, the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the solidity and refinement of competitors like the Honda CR-V. However, it was decently comfortable on poorly maintained pavement.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, more than some EV rivals but less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a "frunk" for extra storage, but the interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility and substandard rear visibility due to thick rear pillars. The twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard freed up some storage space, but the narrow center console limited space for larger items. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heat.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom in both rows and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was less than some competitors, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made it difficult to find a comfortable driving position. The Equinox had a tall seating position with good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by thick rear pillars and a small rear window. The climate control buttons and knobs were prominently placed below the touchscreen, making them easy to use. The Equinox provided 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded, near the bottom of the segment.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) 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. While the setup looked cool, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The natural-language voice-control system allowed drivers to bypass the haptic controls, though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light feature added a Tron-like vibe, communicating information through a light strip at the base of the windshield. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims got an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. Navigation and a Bose 7-speaker audio system were available. The 8-inch touchscreen was responsive and easy to use, with large, smartphone-like menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a major advantage, and the Equinox offered plenty of USB ports and power outlets. However, the center-console slot for phones was too small.

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 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 could bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It received a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, and a surround-view camera system.