2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 GMC Yukon

The 2022 GMC Yukon had a distinctive look, especially if you were a fan of chrome. Even the base SLE model featured enough shiny elements to give it a premium appearance. As you moved up to the Denali trim, the chrome became even more prominent, with the front of the Denali almost entirely constructed of it. The multi-dimensional grille, reminiscent of an industrial-sized cheese grater, gave the vehicle a unique and commanding presence. The Denali's 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, part of the optional Ultimate package, stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint. The off-road-oriented AT4 trim had its own unique styling, including a dark grille, skid plate, and horizontal red recovery hooks.

Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious and tastefully crafted cabin with standard seating for eight, or nine with the optional front bench seat on the SLE. The SLT and AT4 trims offered second-row captain's chairs, reducing passenger capacity to seven but easing access to the third row. The Denali trim featured four exclusive interior designs, with our test vehicle showcasing the Teak/Light Shale color combo. The AT4 trim had a Jet Black interior with AT4-exclusive Brandy accents and dark brushed aluminum details. All three rows were comfortable, even for taller passengers, and the Denali's interior added layers and textures with unique stitching and natural wood details.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design to improve aerodynamics. All wheel designs and colors were new for 2023, and the rear VW logo now lit up. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV compared to VW's gasoline models, it didn't have the upright profile and added ground clearance of traditional SUVs, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, this was a common trait among many current electric vehicles.

The ID.4 was based on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs with built-in modularity to support various models. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, including a minimalist design and an overall feeling of quality. The base ID.4 Standard model, aside from a manual driver's seat, didn't feel like much of a downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S. Leatherette upholstery with seat and door-panel inserts made partly from recycled fibers were standard for 2023.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered three engine choices, including an economical diesel option. The standard engine on all trims except the Denali was a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The Denali trim came standard with a 6.2-liter V8 engine, generating 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines featured direct injection and fuel-saving cylinder-deactivation technology. A new addition to the lineup was a 3.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, available on all trims except the AT4. This "Baby Duramax" produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering excellent fuel economy and a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

All three engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Most versions had standard rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive as an extra-cost option. The AT4 trim was only available with 4WD. The Yukon's maximum towing capacity was 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter engine and the Max Trailering Package. Our test vehicle, a Yukon Denali with the 6.2-liter V8, had an 8,200-pound tow rating. The independent rear suspension provided better handling and a smoother ride, especially for third-row passengers. However, our test vehicle exhibited some bouncing over rutted pavement under acceleration, though it delivered a smooth, quiet ride over most surfaces.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus trims retained the 82-kWh pack, available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models were rated at 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models produced 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling.

The ID.4's AWD version had acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks like the VW Golf GTI and Golf R, but it lacked the handling prowess. The ID.4 allowed too much body roll to be truly entertaining on twisty roads, though it was comfortable and refined for long drives. The regenerative braking system didn't offer one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for EV first-timers.

The 2022 GMC Yukon provided ample first- and second-row passenger space, with significant improvements in third-row legroom, increasing from 24.8 inches to 34.9 inches. Cargo space behind the third row also increased from 15.3 cubic feet to 25.5 cubic feet. The nearly five-inch wheelbase stretch and six inches of additional length, along with the move to an independent rear suspension, contributed to the extra space. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available for easier access to the third row. Our test vehicle featured power-folding second-row buckets and power fold-flat third-row seats.

A unique feature of our Denali test vehicle was the power-sliding center console, which revealed additional storage space and a hidden storage drawer. The power-retractable, illuminated assist steps made it easier to get in and out of the vehicle, though they could be challenging to avoid in wet conditions. The pushbutton transmission controls, located to the left of the infotainment touchscreen, took some getting used to but became second nature with practice.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. The ID.4 had 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it more practical than most entry-level EVs. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in interior space, it was the most practical SUV among affordable EVs.

The ID.4 also offered some towing capability, with a quoted towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. VW made small changes to the interior for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone. Three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was also available.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came standard with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center, providing access to phone, audio, and navigation functions controlled via the steering wheel. The Denali trim featured a 15-inch multi-color head-up display, the largest in its class, providing driving speed, speed limit, audio information, and safety aids. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless phone charging, and an available WiFi hotspot.

Our test vehicle had a Bose 14-speaker audio system, though the sound quality was not as impressive as expected. The Denali Ultimate Package included a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch LCD HD touchscreens, compatible with various media formats. However, a lightning to HDMI adapter was needed for phone or tablet connections.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 12.0-inch touchscreen for all models, with software updates to improve responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard, along with the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system offered sharp graphics, a choice of smartphone-like icons or a traditional split-screen view, and natural-language voice recognition.

The ID.4's user interface included haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which lacked physical feedback and could be distracting. However, the voice recognition system made it easier to control functions without using the touchpads. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and AI assistant features, changing colors based on drive mode and flashing to indicate navigation directions.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite of driver aids, including automatic emergency braking with front pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, following distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Pro Safety Plus package added lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. Our test vehicle also featured a Safety Alert Seat and an adjustable rear camera mirror.

The NHTSA gave the 2022 Yukon an overall rating of four out of five stars, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not tested the current-generation Yukon as of this writing.

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 crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for front crash prevention. The only blemish was an "Average" score for the standard headlights.

The ID.4 came with a good complement of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. Emergency Assist 3.0, Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system were also standard for 2023.