2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

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 fake toughness of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. 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 finishes, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and cloth seats on the base model.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, visually tying it to the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Rounded corners and recessed LED headlights gave it a modern touch, while its larger size improved interior space and ergonomics. The interior design emphasized ruggedness without seeming cheesy, featuring bare metal and exposed screws alongside leather and suede upholstery. The Defender 90 V8 test car had a mix of materials that looked durable enough for off-road adventures, unlike the more luxurious Range Rover interiors.

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. 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 front-wheel-drive rivals. However, it lacked aggressive regenerative braking, relying more on friction brakes for a familiar driving experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and a new 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The V8 could accelerate the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD) with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 model included an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique suspension tuning for sportier handling, though it felt less poised than the six-cylinder model. The Defender excelled in off-road capability, with features like Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control, and had an 8,201-pound towing capacity.

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 in place and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, more than some EV rivals but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, but the interior felt spacious with good forward visibility. The console was narrow, offering limited storage space, but the heated steering wheel and front seats were effective in cold weather.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, with the Defender 90 offering limited cargo space but impressive rear seat usability for a two-door vehicle. The four-door Defender 110 provided more cargo space, with up to 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard controls and a sizable center-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior cargo solutions included a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes.

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 for the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads for controls. While the setup looked modern, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The natural-language voice-control system provided an alternative, though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light feature added a Tron-like vibe but was mostly forgettable. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all but the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly with distinctive graphics, though the screen required a firm touch. Optional tech included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system useful for off-roading.

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 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. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were new standard features for 2021, with Travel Assist providing smooth lane-centering and responsive acceleration and deceleration.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had published safety ratings for the Defender, which is common for luxury vehicles.