2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV), and Volkswagen aimed to showcase that. Unlike some electric cars that mimic the styling of their gasoline counterparts, the ID.4 featured a distinctive look with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed out to the corners of the body. It avoided the fake toughness of the gasoline Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas crossovers, opting instead for a more modern and sleek design. The interior design combined Volkswagen’s trademark minimalism 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 the Pro S and 1St Edition models offered leatherette upholstery.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, on the other hand, showcased a bold front styling with the automaker’s “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept. The design was balanced and appealing from the front wheels to the rear bumper. The Outlander was available in multiple trim levels, all featuring handsome 20-inch wheels. The interior of the SEL trim, especially with the Touring Package, was luxuriously outfitted with premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display (HUD), and a premium sound system. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black accents and gloss black trim, avoiding the use of obviously inexpensive materials.

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 United States since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version, with a second electric motor powering the front wheels, arrived later in 2021, boosting power output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, with a smooth ride over bumps and potholes. However, it did not offer aggressive regenerative braking, relying more on friction brakes like a regular car.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Outlander offered Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system, though it used a brake-induced torque-vectoring system rather than a mechanical one. Drivers could choose from various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. The Outlander felt most responsive in lower-speed urban environments but lacked the power for confident highway acceleration. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, making the ride feel brittle on anything but smooth pavement. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA’s rating of 26 mpg for AWD models.

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 rear seats folded. The ID.4 did not have a front trunk (frunk), but the interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility. However, rearward visibility was substandard due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. The center console was narrow, offering limited storage space for larger items.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, deeply padded armrests, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The rear seat room was generous, with good thigh support and seat heaters. The Outlander also featured a third-row seat, though it was cramped and not suitable for adults. With the third-row seat in use, the Outlander offered 11.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 33.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 79.7 cubic feet with the second row folded (78.3 cubic feet with the panoramic sunroof).

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 nearly all 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. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart-looking graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay (Android Auto required a wire). The Outlander also included wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled to understand commands while driving, likely due to road noise and tire slap.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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 featured Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing highway driving and safety.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander included Mi-Pilot Assist, a hands-on Level 2 driver-assist system similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist. The Outlander also featured forward collision avoidance, safe reversing, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. However, the steering assistance and lane-departure prevention systems were intrusive and required deactivation through the touchscreen menu. Crash-test results for the Outlander were unavailable at the time of review.