2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

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 had some SUV-like styling, 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, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and cloth seats on the base model.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner, rooted in the 1980s SUV craze, maintained its rugged construction and close relationship with the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Unlike many modern SUVs that evolved to car-based platforms, the 4Runner stayed true to its off-road capabilities. Its high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper emphasized its adventurous spirit. Inside, the 4Runner’s design was functional but dated, with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. The 4Runner offered various trims, each with unique features, from the base SR5 to the off-road-focused TRD Pro and the road-oriented Limited trim.

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 sporty handling, with a smooth ride over bumps but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, it didn’t offer aggressive regenerative braking, relying more on friction brakes for a familiar driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with a single 4.0-liter V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive with low range. The 4Runner’s ride was harsh and cumbersome on paved roads, with significant body roll and a rough ride over bumps. However, it excelled off-road, with features like Crawl Control and a locking differential on the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, more than most car-based crossovers but less than compact pickups.

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 several EV competitors but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 didn’t have a front trunk, but its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility and a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard. However, rearward visibility was limited, and the center console lacked storage space for larger items.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the two-row version, with 47.2 cubic feet behind the second row. The three-row model provided slightly less space, with 88.8 cubic feet maximum and just 9 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The 4Runner didn’t have a power rear liftgate but featured a power-open/close rear window for easy access. While the interior wasn’t cramped, it could be more efficient in its use of space, reflecting its older design.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system (a 12-inch screen was optional), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster. It used haptic touchpads instead of traditional switchgear, which were difficult to use without looking. 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. While some features seemed gimmicky, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with hard buttons and dials, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. Navigation, HD radio, and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system were available as upgrades. While not the most advanced system on the market, it covered the tech basics and relied on tactile controls, which were helpful for off-road driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and five out of five stars 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. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were new standard features for 2021, enhancing highway driving and driver incapacitation detection.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features, such as forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The 4Runner earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA for frontal and side-impact testing and three stars for rollover testing. It had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS.