2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Jeep Wrangler

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler, with its fourth-generation JL design, maintained a rugged, no-nonsense aesthetic. It was available in both two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, with the option to remove the doors for an open-air experience. The windshield could fold down, and various top options allowed for versatile open-air exploration. The Wrangler featured wide fenders, Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted up for easy cargo access. The limited-edition Reign purple paint color added a unique flair, while the new Earl color offered a subtle gray with aquamarine highlights.

Inside, the Wrangler was practical with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, and a straightforward design with no unnecessary frills. The body-colored dash, chunky HVAC controls, and manual transfer case shifter added to its utilitarian charm. However, it lacked luxury features like ambient lighting or massaging seats, which were more common in high-end SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates, including 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 now lit up. While it was clearly an EV, the ID.4 didn’t have the traditional SUV look, lacking the upright profile and ground clearance that many buyers found appealing in SUVs. However, this was a common trait among many current electric vehicles.

The ID.4 was built on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, offering modularity to support various models. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, featuring a minimalist design and a sense of quality. Even the base ID.4 Standard model felt well-appointed, with leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibers. The interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone, along with three-zone climate control and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of engine options tailored for off-road performance. The standard V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were available with either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 provided 260 horsepower and a substantial 442 pound-feet of torque. The high-performance Wrangler Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe combined two electric motors with a 17.3 kWh battery pack, offering 21 miles of all-electric range.

The Wrangler 392, with its full-time 4WD and Off-Road Plus button, excelled in off-road conditions but had some on-road performance issues, particularly with its brakes and steering. The brakes were not upgraded to handle the V8’s power, leading to a terrifying braking experience, while the steering was vague and imprecise. These issues were less pronounced in other Wrangler models with less powerful engines.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery pack options: a new 62-kWh pack for the base Standard and S models with RWD, and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models, available with either RWD or AWD. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD models delivered 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 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 models offered acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks like the VW Golf GTI and Golf R, but lacked the handling prowess. The ID.4 was comfortable and refined, but allowed too much body roll on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system provided a familiar driving experience, with the option to coast or use a more aggressive “B” setting, but lacked true one-pedal driving.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler’s front seats were comfortable, but heated seats were only available on the 392 or with a cold-weather package, and ventilated seats were not offered. The rear seat could fit three passengers in the four-door models, but it was a tight fit, and the small rear doors made entry and exit challenging. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash, tiny glove box, and center console. The Wrangler offered 72.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, slightly less than the Bronco.

The Wrangler’s hard top could be removed in one piece or in two front panels, and the Sunrider option provided a half soft top for quick open-air access. The soft top was easy to remove, but the plastic rear window could be cumbersome in cold weather. The Sky One-Touch power soft top was the easiest option, sliding back in 17 seconds at speeds up to 60 mph, but the non-removable glass rear window might not provide a complete open-air experience. The Wrangler had ample charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet in the center console.

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. It provided 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 terms of 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. The interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console, a better spot for a phone, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment system, while our tester had the larger 8.4-inch screen. The system had no hard buttons, relying entirely on the touchscreen, which initially seemed complicated but became intuitive with use. Jeep’s off-road pages provided detailed information about power distribution, temperatures, oil pressure, pitch and roll, and GPS coordinates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard and functioned well. The Wrangler’s tech was practical, with a forward-facing camera for off-road trails and four auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories, but lacked advanced features like a digital key or over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The user experience was enhanced by sharp graphics, a choice of smartphone-like icons or a traditional split-screen view, and natural-language voice recognition.

However, the ID.4’s haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which replaced conventional buttons, were distracting and lacked physical feedback. The voice recognition system mitigated this issue by allowing drivers to use voice commands for most functions. The ID.Light system, part ambient lighting and part AI assistant, provided visual cues for navigation and drive modes, but could be easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler had limited standard safety features, including a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Advanced features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the top 392 model and optional on other trims. Lane-keeping assist was not available. The IIHS gave the Wrangler mixed ratings, with some Good and Marginal scores, and Poor ratings for headlights on some trims. The NHTSA awarded the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash tests and three out of five stars for rollover tests, but it had not been rated for side crashes.

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, earned 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 had a comprehensive suite 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 with adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering. Emergency Assist 3.0 and Park Assist Plus automated parking were also standard for 2023.