2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure from its predecessors with a more assertive and truck-like design. It was longer and wider, with a muscular stance enhanced by a longer wheelbase and wider tracks. The classic D-pillar taillights were modernized with three L shapes, and the rear end adopted a blockier appearance to match the bold front fascia. The Sport Touring trim, driven in deep Canyon River Blue, featured special Sport styling elements like black roof rails, mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and 19-inch wheels. Inside, the design echoed the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with high-quality materials and attractive contrast stitching, creating a premium feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper for improved aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors, along with a rear VW logo that lights up, were also introduced. The ID.4, based on VW's MEB platform, didn't have the traditional SUV look, lacking the upright profile and ground clearance. However, it offered a minimalist and high-quality interior, with leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibers. The base ID.4 Standard model, despite having a manual driver's seat, didn't feel like a significant downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered a simplified powertrain lineup, with either a turbocharged or hybrid powertrain. The hybrid setup combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful CR-V to date. It could reach speeds of up to 115 mph and had a towing capacity of up to 1,000 lbs. The CR-V Hybrid featured four drive modes: Snow, Sport, Normal, and Econ, with the updated Real Time AWD system capable of sending up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels. A new "B" shifter position allowed for increased regenerative braking, enhancing fuel efficiency. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) CR-V Hybrid achieved 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined.

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 retained the 82-kWh pack, with both RWD and AWD options. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, while 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, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4's regenerative braking system allowed for coasting in its default setting and a more aggressive "B" setting, but it didn't offer one-pedal driving. The AWD ID.4 had impressive acceleration but lacked the handling finesse of hot hatchbacks like the Golf GTI and Golf R.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid's larger exterior translated to more interior volume, with a substantial increase in cargo space. It offered 36.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded, comparable to the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and more than the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Sport Touring model featured a hands-free power tailgate, and all CR-Vs had wide-opening rear doors for easy access. Rear seat legroom increased to 41 inches, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The interior boasted eight cupholders, a cubby for two smartphones, and a console with best-in-class storage.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf. It offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in terms of interior space, it was the most practical among affordable EVs. The ID.4 also had a towing 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 spot, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid catered to shoppers who preferred physical buttons for important functions. The standard 7-inch touchscreen had physical volume and tuning knobs, while the 9-inch touchscreen on the Sport Touring trim had a volume knob and hard Seek buttons. Both Hybrid models featured two USB-A and two USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors, and heated front seats. The Sport Touring trim added driver’s seat memory, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, a heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD radio, Wi-Fi capability, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system. The smart navigation system optimized fuel efficiency based on the route.

The 2023 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 ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The user interface still featured sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition, but the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and AI assistance, changing colors based on drive mode and flashing to indicate navigation directions.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of active safety features. The Honda Sensing suite included adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist, all improved for smoother use. New safety features for 2023 included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and low-speed braking control for the top trims. A blind-spot information system and cross-traffic monitor were standard across the lineup, with parking sensors added to the top trims. The CR-V Hybrid also had new airbags, dashboard patches, and a 15% stiffer structure for additional crash protection. It had earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.

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 had earned the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention. The ID.4's standard driver-assist features included 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 with adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering. Emergency Assist 3.0 and Park Assist Plus automated parking were also standard for 2023.