2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco captivated buyers with its retro styling and robust off-road capabilities. It offered a wide range of trims, including the new Everglades model, which was designed for swamp trekking with features like an intake snorkel and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. Despite its rugged appearance, the Bronco was sold out for the year, leaving many potential buyers disappointed. The vehicle's design was heavily influenced by its off-road mission, featuring short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height to enhance its off-road prowess. Inside, the Bronco maintained a utilitarian theme with marine-grade vinyl upholstery, sealed switches, and drain plugs for easy cleaning after off-road adventures.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 made subtle styling changes, including a gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper for improved aerodynamics. The ID.4's design was distinctively EV, lacking the upright profile and ground clearance of traditional SUVs, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. Built on VW's MEB platform, the ID.4 shared its modularity with other VW models, promising a versatile EV experience. The interior featured a minimalist design with quality materials, even in the base model. Leatherette upholstery made from recycled fibers was standard, and the vehicle offered ample legroom and headroom, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came with a base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder engine was available with a seven-speed manual transmission, featuring a unique crawl gear for low-speed driving, while the V6 came with a mandatory 10-speed automatic. All Broncos featured four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco excelled in off-road conditions, with models like the Everglades capable of fording water up to 36.4 inches deep. On-road performance was also commendable, with the Bronco offering a smoother ride and better handling than its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with rear-wheel drive (RWD). The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models retained the 82-kWh battery pack and offered both RWD and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD models delivered 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, enhancing acceleration and handling. However, the ID.4's handling was not as sharp as some hot hatchbacks, and it allowed too much body roll on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system offered a more familiar driving experience, avoiding the one-pedal driving approach favored by some EVs.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior, offering ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The two-door model provided 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 52.3 cubic feet with them folded. The four-door model increased these figures to 35.6 and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. However, the rear seats did not fold flat, complicating the loading of larger items. The Bronco also featured clever storage solutions, including large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and accessory rails. External hard mounting points and removable fender flares added to its utility.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. It provided more legroom and headroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. The ID.4 also offered some towing capability, with a quoted capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console, a better phone storage spot, and available three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. modes allowed drivers to select drivetrain and chassis settings optimized for specific terrains. A forward-looking trail camera provided confidence by showing the path ahead, while Trail Turn Assist helped in making sharper turns. The Sync 4 infotainment system featured quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an available wireless charging pad.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less user-friendly, lacking physical feedback. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation cues, but it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2022 Ford Bronco included standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The NHTSA gave the four-door Bronco four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three out of five stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the Bronco its best score of "Good" in frontal, side, and roof strength tests, and an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023 version, received the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for front crash prevention. The ID.4 also included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.