2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Honda Passport

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.

Inside, the ID.4 blended 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. The interior design aimed to push a tech theme, which automakers believed customers wanted.

The 2022 Honda Passport's new styling closely resembled the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, sharing a platform with the Odyssey minivan and Pilot three-row SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter Pilot without a third-row seat and with different styling. Honda aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, especially with the new TrailSport trim, which targeted off-road enthusiasts with standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes.

The Passport's updated design applied to all three trim levels: EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite. The TrailSport trim added unique 18-inch wheels, a purposeful-looking roof rack, and simulated skid plates, enhancing its SUV appearance. Inside, the Passport offered one of the largest interiors in the two-row midsize SUV segment, with quality materials and careful assembly. The TrailSport trim featured orange contrast stitching, amber ambient lighting, and rubber all-season floor mats.

At launch, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was available 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 powering the front wheels, arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.

The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. The electric motor offered instantaneous torque, making acceleration from stoplights enjoyable. The AWD version added traction and power, making the ID.4 quick around town and capable on twisty roads, though it wasn’t sporty, with a focus on comfort over handling. Regenerative braking was less aggressive than in other EVs, with VW opting for a more traditional driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered front-wheel drive (FWD) on the EX-L trim and standard AWD on the TrailSport and Elite trims. The V6 engine was smooth and felt stronger than its ratings suggested, with the TrailSport averaging 21.3 mpg in various driving conditions.

The Passport's AWD system, i-VTM4, featured mechanical torque vectoring, delivering up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. The Passport handled well on twisty roads, though off-road performance was limited by wheel articulation. The SUV excelled on streets and highways, offering firm, communicative ride and athletic handling. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate on mountain descents, affecting confidence.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average. 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 EVs but less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, but the interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility and substandard rear visibility due to thick rear pillars.

The ID.4 featured a twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up center console space, though the console itself was narrow. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heat. The seats were cushioned but lacked thigh support, leading to an uncomfortable driving position.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy entry and exit, with large, comfortable front seats featuring inboard adjustable armrests and good thigh support. Leather upholstery and heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats on the Elite trim. The rear seats provided ample room and a slightly elevated seating position, with large side windows enhancing the airy feel.

The Passport boasted generous storage, including a massive center console storage bin and various door panel shelves and cupholders. Cargo space was substantial, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the seat folded. The Passport's utility and comfort made it easy to live with.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads for controls. The touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback, complicating simple tasks. The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system and ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield for driver communication.

The ID.4's touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus, offering a choice between smartphone-like icons or a split-screen setup. Despite some gimmicky features, the infotainment basics were well-executed.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The system had shortcut buttons and a volume knob but lacked a tuning knob.

The Passport's navigation system was clunky, with specific voice command pathways, making Apple CarPlay a preferred option. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the Passport's technology was not advanced, which might be a blessing for some.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation 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 and Emergency Assist were new features, with Travel Assist providing smooth lane-centering and responsive acceleration and deceleration.

The 2022 Honda Passport included the Honda Sensing suite, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, a rear-seat reminder, and a seatbelt reminder system.

Honda Sensing's lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist were intrusive, prompting drivers to turn them off. The adaptive cruise control was not smooth in heavy traffic, and the blind-spot monitoring warning light was poorly positioned. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for four stars in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.