2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly fit into the Volvo lineup with familial styling cues like “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a slightly different rear bumper, and a model-exclusive color—Sage Green Metallic. The charging port was located where the fuel filler would normally be.

The interior of the XC40 was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials such as real metal trim on the dashboard and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents melding together seamlessly. Unlike many competitors, Volvo did not compromise on interior design to meet a specific price point.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an EV, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from 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 based on VW’s EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. Despite its crossover classification, the ID.4’s styling was more akin to a hatchback, similar to other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric.

Inside, the ID.4 blended Volkswagen’s trademark minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic materials. 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 interior design aimed to push a tech theme, which some automakers believed customers wanted.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor for each axle, providing AWD and a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. The 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack had 75 kWh of usable capacity.

The XC40 Recharge could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort over speed, offering excellent ride quality even with optional 20-inch wheels. It also featured one-pedal driving through regenerative braking and had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

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 RWD Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. An AWD version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft. The RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered more power and traction.

The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, with a smooth ride over bumps and potholes but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not support one-pedal driving, relying on friction brakes in its default setting. VW aimed to provide a familiar experience for drivers transitioning from gasoline cars.

Volvo claimed no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline XC40 models. However, the XC40 Recharge had less legroom and headroom compared to the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, and a smaller cargo area. The frunk was also very small. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins due to relocated speakers.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average. It had 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 the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 did not have a frunk, prioritizing cabin space instead. The interior felt spacious from the driver’s seat, with good forward visibility but substandard rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. The console was narrow, providing limited storage for larger items.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also supported OTA updates for both the infotainment system and other vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to simply get in and shift out of park.

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

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. These ratings did not apply to the electric XC40 Recharge, but Volvo expected it to perform well due to a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model also had a scalable sensor suite for future advanced driver aids.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. New features for 2021 included Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated.