2022 Porsche Macan 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 replaced the straight lines and sharp angles of the Tiguan and Atlas with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed out to the corners. The ID.4 was part of VW’s EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While it boasted a taller ride height and plastic body cladding, it didn’t quite look like an SUV, similar to other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric. The interior combined Volkswagen’s minimalism with a tech-focused design, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. Standard features included a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with leatherette upholstery available on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Porsche Macan retained much of its original design from its 2015 debut, despite regular updates. The 2022 model received a styling refresh, larger standard wheels, and a new center console with haptic touch controls. The Macan lineup included the base model, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the Macan S adopting the previous GTS model’s twin-turbo V6 engine. Our test vehicle, a Macan S, featured Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, exuding a taut, athletic look. Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsches, with a flat and wide dashboard, a large tachometer, and a center console housing most secondary controls. The cabin, adorned with red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents, felt upscale and sporty.

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. The ID.4’s RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered added traction and power. However, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, with noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not support one-pedal driving, relying on friction brakes for deceleration.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of powerful engines. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS inherited the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 from the old Macan Turbo, delivering 434 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Our Macan S test car had a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans came with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. The Macan S featured larger 20-inch wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and optional performance upgrades like Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB). The Macan S excelled in both everyday comfort and spirited driving, offering precise handling and powerful acceleration.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many 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 several EV rivals but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk (frunk), but the interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility. However, rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector and a narrow center console with limited storage space. Standard heated steering wheel and front seats helped maintain cabin warmth efficiently.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, despite its sporty nature, offered comfortable front seats, especially with the optional 14-way power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, particularly for taller passengers, but entry and exit were easy. The new steering wheel, modeled after the 911, felt thin and uncomfortable over long drives. The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls looked modern but required drivers to look away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 53 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Macan provided adequate storage but lacked space for larger items.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system (a 12-inch screen was optional), featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced most physical controls. While visually appealing, the touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4 also included a natural-language voice-control system and the ID.Light feature, a light strip that communicated information to the driver. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Porsche Macan featured a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM), with wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and connected services. The system included touch-sensing virtual buttons and proximity sensing, making it intuitive for smartphone users. However, the voice recognition system was less reliable than those in some competitors. The Macan also offered stereo volume and tuning controls below the screen, and separate climate controls, reducing the need to interact with the touchscreen while driving.

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 introduced Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing highway driving and safety.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a reversing camera. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. The Macan also offered front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and an optional Park Assist system. However, the Macan lacked more advanced driving assistance technologies found in some competitors. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published safety ratings for the Macan.