2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a sophisticated atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, contributing to its aerodynamic profile with a drag coefficient of 0.29. The interior boasted a high-tech appearance with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, offering a luxurious experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a squared-off rear bumper design for improved aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors, along with a light-up rear VW logo, added to its refreshed look. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable 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 other EV models, such as the upcoming ID.Buzz electric van. The interior retained the minimalist design and quality feel of recent VW gasoline models, with leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibers. The base ID.4 Standard model offered a similar experience to the higher-level ID.4 Pro S, except for a manual driver's seat. Overall, the ID.4 provided a spacious and practical interior, making it a strong contender among affordable EVs.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. The SUV was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, offering 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque in the SE P360 model, and 395 hp and 406 lb-ft in the SE Dynamic. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was standard in the Autobiography P440e, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. Early-build models featured a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine, but it was temporarily unavailable. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds, and it could tow up to 7,716 pounds. The SUV's fuel efficiency was notable, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, and it averaged 22.3 mpg during testing. The new vehicle architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and the adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, the Range Rover Sport struggled to match the driving dynamics of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, feeling tall and heavy with less engaging steering. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, offering impressive ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a wading depth of 35.4 inches. Standard off-road tech included Terrain Response, All Terrain Progress Control, and hill start and descent control systems.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a choice between a new 62-kWh battery 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 with RWD or AWD. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD version rivaled hot hatchbacks like the Golf GTI in acceleration but lacked the handling prowess. While comfortable and refined, the ID.4 allowed too much body roll on twisty roads. Regenerative braking was present, but VW opted for a more traditional coasting experience rather than one-pedal driving. The ID.4 was well-suited for long drives, offering a comfortable ride and decent range, but it wasn't as engaging on challenging roads.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its Command Driving Position, providing a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats offered comfort with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The back seat provided good support but had a reclined angle, and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire occupied the space under the cargo floor, but Land Rover provided storage solutions to prevent items from rolling around.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more front and rear legroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. With 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, the ID.4 provided ample storage. It also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models rated at 2,200 pounds and AWD models at 2,700 pounds. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console, improved phone storage, and available three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use, with difficulties in accessing features and understanding its functions. The native digital assistant struggled with simple tasks, such as finding a nearby Starbucks. On a positive note, the Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was also included, though it was challenging to access.

The 2023 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, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The user interface 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 navigation cues, though it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself while the driver directed it via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less satisfactory, with slow responses and challenges in maintaining lane centering.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023 version, earned the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating. 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. The ID.4 also added Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system for 2023.