2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Lexus RX

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 Lexus RX continued its modern and sporty design, available in base 350, F Sport, and L trim levels, with a hybrid RX 450h model. The RX offered aggressive styling with razor-sharp character lines and angular features, resulting in an eye-catching design. The F Sport trim added performance-oriented features like 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and a unique front fascia. The interior of the RX maintained a luxury appeal, with F Sport models adding sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. The RX cabin offered nearly a dozen color combinations, with high-quality materials and a dated center stack design.

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 was tuned for comfort rather than handling, with a smooth ride over bumps but noticeable body roll in corners. Volkswagen chose not to implement aggressive regenerative braking, opting for a more familiar driving experience with friction brakes.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h added two high-torque electric motors for a combined output of 308 horsepower. All RX models had an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The RX 450h came with AWD only. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked sporty performance, with a hum rather than a growl from the engine and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and other tuning bits, but the driving experience remained more comfortable than sporty. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives.

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 the seats folded, more than some EV competitors but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a frunk, but the interior felt spacious with good forward visibility. The console was narrow, offering limited storage space for larger items. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heating.

The 2022 Lexus RX had 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the two-row version, comfortably fitting four adults. The three-row L models offered limited space for anything but groceries. The RX provided 16.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row version had only 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a dedicated smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, but the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the load-in height was high.

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. The touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback, and the control setup required relearning simple tasks. The natural-language voice-control system responded to prompts like “Hello ID,” but was slow to respond. The ID.Light feature communicated information through a light strip at the base of the windshield, but it was mostly a gimmick. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were moved closer to the driver but still had ergonomic issues due to a lip in front of the screen. The touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive, making it difficult to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

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 added automated lane centering, and Emergency Assist brought the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional standard features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.