2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, 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 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. While it didn’t look much like an SUV, it offered a blend of Volkswagen’s trademark minimalism and a tech-focused interior, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and cloth seats on the base model.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The test vehicle came with a black leather interior and a host of packages, including the Tech Package, Infotainment Package II, and GMC Pro Safety Plus Package. Despite these upgrades, the Terrain’s interior materials and execution didn’t quite meet the expectations set by its price tag, with some features like the pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray falling short.

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. This made it 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. While the ID.4 wasn’t sporty, it offered a smooth ride and balanced handling, with RWD providing a more engaging driving experience compared to its FWD rivals. However, it lacked aggressive regenerative braking, relying more on friction brakes.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine was discontinued, reducing the Terrain’s towing capacity to 1,500 pounds. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped keep the Terrain in its torque band, but the engine’s power delivery was less immediate. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system. However, it struggled with torque steer in FWD mode and lacked the ground clearance and modifications to fully justify its AT4 badge.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than 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, more than some EV rivals but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a frunk, but its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility and a unique twist-grip gear selector. However, rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small back window.

The 2022 GMC Terrain’s interior was roomy for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping, adding an upscale feel. The back seat offered plenty of legroom and foot room, with a rear USB charging port. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Terrain also had a large storage bin under the trunk floor and a foldable front passenger seat for longer items.

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 screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced most switchgear. While the setup looked modern, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The ID.4 also featured a natural-language voice-control system and ID.Light, 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 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for the SLE trim and an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The larger screen added connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert system.

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. The ID.4 also introduced Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing highway driving and driver incapacitation detection.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The optional GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly “Good” crash-test scores, but it received a “Marginal” rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2022 Terrain.