2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV), 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 straight lines and sharp angles of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4’s interior combined Volkswagen’s minimalist design with a tech-forward aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while higher trims offered leatherette upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of what a station wagon could be, offering a rugged design closer to a Jeep. It boasted 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. The exterior featured a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents. Inside, the Outback Wilderness had a dark gray and black cabin with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, heated seats, and a host of rugged features like waterproof rear seatback material and a waterproof cargo tray.

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. This rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup provided balanced handling and instantaneous torque, making city driving enjoyable. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. Despite the added power, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, with noticeable body roll in corners but a smooth ride over bumps. Volkswagen opted for traditional friction brakes over aggressive regenerative braking, aiming to provide a familiar driving experience for those transitioning from gasoline cars.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the engine provided ample power, the CVT’s droning and simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Outback Wilderness came standard with AWD and was equipped with 17-inch all-terrain tires and a lifted suspension, offering 9.5 inches of ground clearance. It also featured a dual-function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control, making it highly capable off-road. On pavement, the Outback felt quick but was limited by its tires, while off-road, it excelled in challenging terrain.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many competitor EVs, though its legroom was average for the segment. 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 its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility and a unique twist-grip gear selector. However, rearward visibility was compromised by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The heated steering wheel and front seats proved effective in cold weather, though the driver’s seat lacked thigh support.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated and offered power adjustments, while the rear seats provided ample space for adults or children, along with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 75.7 cubic feet with them folded, with waterproof seatbacks and a cargo tray. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

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 the setup looked modern, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The ID.4 also included a natural-language voice-control system and the ID.Light, a light strip that communicated information to the driver. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned with easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, with physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control. However, most functions required the touchscreen, and the voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available for better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was surprising given its target demographic. However, it did offer PIN code entry technology, allowing owners to leave the key fob inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

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 driver incapacitation detection.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. It also featured steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness’s EyeSight technology proved effective and unobtrusive during testing. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were not available, the 2021 Outback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.