2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was crafted as a distinct electric vehicle, diverging from the traditional styling of Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, setting it apart from the more rugged appearance of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4 was part of Volkswagen's EV-specific MEB platform, following the ID.3 hatchback. While it shared some design elements with the ID.3, such as plastic body cladding and a slightly elevated ride height, the ID.4's SUV-like styling was subtle. Its interior combined Volkswagen's minimalist design with a tech-focused 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.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander boasted a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window. Despite its spacious interior, the Highlander appeared smaller from the outside. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, navy blue exterior, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander offered a range of trims, from the base L to the luxurious Platinum, each adding various features. The XSE trim included unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and optional premium audio. Higher trims like the Limited and Platinum provided upscale features such as heated and ventilated seats, a hands-free power liftgate, and advanced safety systems.

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 marked Volkswagen's return to rear-wheel drive in the U.S. with a passenger car since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive version, adding a second motor to the front wheels, increased power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. While the ID.4 wasn't a performance car, its RWD setup offered balanced handling, and the AWD version provided additional traction and power. The ID.4 prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a smooth ride but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, it didn't offer aggressive regenerative braking, opting for a more traditional driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, with various drive modes for different conditions. The V6 provided good pickup at higher speeds, though it wasn't the liveliest off the line. The Highlander's handling was commendable, especially in the XSE trim with its sport-tuned suspension. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, a typical figure for its class, and had a maximum payload of 1,685 pounds in the FWD L and LE trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many competitor EVs, though its 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, surpassing several EV rivals but falling short of gasoline models like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, prioritizing cabin space instead. Its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but limited rearward visibility due to thick pillars. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector and standard heated steering wheel and front seats, which proved effective in cold conditions.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, 48.4 cubic feet with the second row in use, and 16 cubic feet behind the third row. The seats were easy to lower and raise, and trims above the base L included a power liftgate. The Highlander's interior was practical, with deep cargo pockets, multiple storage areas, and cupholders throughout. The XSE trim featured second-row captain's chairs, providing a center aisle to the third row. While the second row was spacious for adults, the third row was best suited for short trips.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen, with an optional 12-inch screen, supporting 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 challenging to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system and the ID.Light feature, which communicated information through a light strip. Despite some gimmicky features, the infotainment system was well-positioned and easy to navigate.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, complemented by hard buttons for ease of use. While it lacked wireless connectivity, the system was straightforward and user-friendly. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and multiple USB ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen was available, though it wasn't as intuitive as the base screen. Other available features included a digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. It came with standard driver aids like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. New features included Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering, and Emergency Assist, which stopped the car if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding to speed changes.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and other advanced features. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were very active, sometimes overly so, but provided good lane centering.