2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, featuring subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which boasted a sloping rear roofline for a more streamlined look. Despite a general aversion to coupelike styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out with a spoiler-like element above the taillights, offering a more defined transition from hatch to tail section compared to some competitors. Inside, the Q5 maintained a refined yet simple layout, though its age was beginning to show since its last redesign five years prior. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was a nod to traditional design amidst a trend of larger screens, and while materials were of good quality, the Q5 no longer felt as exclusive as it once did. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including a gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design for improved aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo was illuminated. While the ID.4 was easily recognizable as an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. Built on VW’s MEB platform, the ID.4 shared its modularity with a range of models, including the upcoming ID.Buzz electric van. Inside, the ID.4 carried over the minimalist design and quality feel from VW’s gasoline models, with leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibers. The base ID.4 Standard model, despite having a manual driver’s seat, did not feel like a significant downgrade from higher trims. The interior changes for 2023 improved functionality, with a conventional lid for the center console and a better phone spot, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, exclusively available with the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5 models came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a delay in power delivery due to the transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, the power was adequate, and the handling was sporty, with precise steering. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, with a quiet engine and minimal road noise, providing a calm cabin experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced 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 retained the 82-kWh pack, offering both RWD and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models increased output to 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. The 62-kWh ID.4 Standard felt sprightly during a short drive, though more time was needed for a proper comparison with the larger-battery version. The AWD ID.4 rivaled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but allowed too much body roll for truly engaging handling. Regenerative braking was present, but VW opted for a more traditional driving experience, avoiding one-pedal driving.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design remained largely unchanged since 2018, with a well-placed infotainment touchscreen and traditional dials for climate controls. Outward visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar, and the rear view was better than average. The front seats offered ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably, even in the Sportback model. Storage options were available, though some were oddly sized. The wireless phone charger was on a sliding tray covering the cupholders, which were heated and cooled in the top trim. The Q5 offered 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback, with competitors offering varying capacities.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with greater legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the Kia Niro EV. It offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing most entry-level EVs. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in interior space, it was practical for an affordable EV. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models towing up to 2,200 pounds and AWD models up to 2,700 pounds. Interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console and improved phone storage, enhancing functionality.

The 2023 Audi Q5 featured a standard 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took time to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly across all trims. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The on-screen buttons in Audi's system were large and easy to read, but Apple CarPlay's app buttons were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning available through Audi Connect Care, which required a subscription after a limited time. Mid-range trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 made the 12.0-inch touchscreen standard on all models, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining standard. The user experience included sharp graphics, a choice of smartphone-like icons or a split-screen view, and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which replaced conventional buttons, lacked physical feedback and were distracting. The ID.Light feature, part ambient lighting and part AI assistant, provided visual cues for navigation but was easily overlooked.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side protection and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. The Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The Prestige trim included matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 also 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. While IIHS ratings for the 2023 model were not available, the 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The ID.4 came with 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 and Park Assist Plus were also standard, with automated lane-change and a 360-degree camera system added for 2023.