2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was crafted as a distinct electric vehicle, diverging from the traditional styling of Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, offering a unique aesthetic compared to the more rugged appearance of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4 was part of Volkswagen's EV-specific MEB platform, following the ID.3 hatchback in Europe. While it shared some design elements with the ID.3, such as plastic body cladding and a slightly elevated ride height, the ID.4's SUV-like styling was subtle. Its interior combined Volkswagen's minimalist design with a tech-focused aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while higher trims offered leatherette upholstery.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared its platform with the Nissan Armada, yet it distinguished itself with a unique front-end design featuring the Infiniti grille. The QX80's styling was upscale, with LED lighting and tasteful chrome accents. Its 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels added to its attractive exterior. Inside, the QX80's cabin was adorned with upscale materials, including wood trim and quilted semi-aniline leather seats. Despite its luxurious interior, the QX80's design was beginning to show its age compared to newer competitors. While the cabin was comfortable and attractive, it fell short of the high standards set by other premium full-size SUVs in its class.

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 marked Volkswagen's return to rear-wheel drive in the U.S. market. An all-wheel-drive version, introduced later in 2021, increased power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. While the ID.4 wasn't a performance car, its RWD configuration offered balanced handling, and the electric motor provided ample torque for quick acceleration. The ID.4 prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a smooth ride but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, it didn't offer aggressive regenerative braking, opting for a more traditional driving experience.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine delivered strong performance and a pleasing exhaust note, though it was thirsty for fuel. The QX80's seven-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts and efficient power distribution. It offered both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options, with a computer-controlled transfer case for off-road capability. The QX80's towing capacity was an impressive 8,500 pounds. Despite its size, the QX80 managed body lean well, thanks to the available Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, which maintained stability during cornering and lane changes.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many competitor EVs, though its 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, surpassing several EV rivals but falling short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, prioritizing cabin space instead. Its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but limited rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector and a narrow center console, offering limited storage space. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heating.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter, thanks to its tall ride height and body-on-frame construction. Inside, it offered a spacious cabin with good front-seat head- and legroom, though it wasn't as roomy as some competitors. The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers with an optional second-row bench seat, but the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space was limited compared to others in its class, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and third-row seats were slow to operate. The QX80's interior featured premium touches like illuminated kick plates and welcome lighting.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced traditional controls. While visually appealing, the touchpads lacked tactile feedback, making them challenging to use while driving. The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system and the innovative ID.Light, a light strip that communicated information to the driver. Despite some gimmicky features, the infotainment system was well-designed, with smart graphics and easy navigation.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It included navigation with lane guidance and voice recognition. A Bose 13-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker system available on higher trims. The QX80 also offered a wireless smartphone charger and a dual-screen rear entertainment system. However, it lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system due to its older architecture, which was a notable omission in the tech department.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for its RWD version. It came with a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The ID.4 also featured Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 offered a robust set of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure prevention, and adaptive cruise control. It also included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners for second-row passengers. The QX80 received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA, with the structurally similar 2021 model earning four stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS had not rated the QX80 for safety.