2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, adding character while maintaining recognizable Volvo features. Unlike Lexus, which opted for a radical styling revamp, Volvo retained its traditional boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille. The XC90's softer lines, increased chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights added a modern touch. The Inscription trim, with extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, ensuring a cohesive design language across the lineup.

Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery provided a natural and unique feel. The Orrefors crystal shifter in the Inscription trim added a high-end touch, though it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior. The XC90's design focused on simplicity and elegance, avoiding the overwhelming flashiness seen in some other luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, designed from the ground up as an EV, showcased 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 to the corners. The ID.4, based on VW's EV-specific MEB platform, followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While the ID.4's SUV-like styling was subtle, it still managed to stand out among other EV crossovers, such as the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric.

Inside, the ID.4 blended Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic surfaces. 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 create a tech-focused environment, with a focus on simplicity and functionality. Despite some unconventional design choices, the ID.4's interior felt spacious and modern.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all built around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine, both turbocharged and supercharged, increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8.

Despite the impressive 400 hp, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide consistent power, especially when relying on electric assist. The gasoline engine often had to step in, even at low speeds, making it difficult to fully utilize the all-electric Pure mode. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only practical at low speeds with gentle acceleration. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and provided a quiet cabin. With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds (4,000 pounds for the base FWD T5), the XC90 was capable but not the best in its class for towing.

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 United States since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive version, with a second electric motor powering the front wheels, arrived later in 2021, increasing power output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque.

The ID.4's rear-wheel drive provided balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. The electric motor's instantaneous torque made acceleration fun, especially from a standstill. The AWD version offered more power and better performance on twisty roads, but the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling. The ride was smooth, but body roll was noticeable in corners. Unlike many electric cars, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, relying on friction brakes instead. This decision aimed to provide a familiar experience for drivers transitioning from gasoline cars.

The three-row 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, depending on the choice of second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel of the interior. Standard four-zone climate control could be upgraded with a filtration system to trap fine particulate matter.

The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but a power-adjustable steering wheel was not available. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin and few storage options on the console. Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model was near the bottom of the segment, with 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was a useful feature.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious compared to other EVs, though not as roomy as gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, but legroom was average for the segment. Cargo space was 30.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, more than some EV rivals but less than the CR-V and RAV4.

The ID.4 did not have a front trunk (frunk), as VW prioritized cabin space. The interior felt spacious from the driver’s seat, with good forward visibility despite the steeply-raked windshield. Rearward visibility was limited due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console, but the console itself was narrow and close to the floor, limiting storage options. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heating in cold weather. The seats were comfortable, but the driver’s seat lacked thigh support.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. The standard 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and built-in WiFi hotspot provided a comprehensive tech package. Two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports were standard, with a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display (HUD) available as options.

The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation through menus. The lack of analog controls was not an issue, as the touchscreen worked well and complemented the minimalist interior design. However, the amount of text and typeface used made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports could be inconvenient for drivers with newer phones.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (a 12-inch screen was optional) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced nearly all switchgear. While the setup looked modern, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback from the touchpads. Simple tasks like adjusting mirrors or lowering rear windows required relearning, making the controls feel unnecessarily complicated.

The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system, activated by saying “Hello ID.” This system allowed for easy adjustments without using the touchpads, but it was slow to respond. The ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield, communicated information to the driver through color changes and light patterns. While interesting, it was easy to forget about after the initial novelty wore off. Despite some gimmicky features, the ID.4's touchscreen was well-positioned, with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus. VW offered a choice between smartphone-like icons for the main menu or a split-screen setup.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models, with top “Good” scores in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded all XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and responsive assistance.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 earned the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. The 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, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to stop the car if the driver is incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding quickly to acceleration and deceleration.