2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Dodge Durango

Volkswagen made some very subtle styling changes for the 2023 ID.4. The front bumper now featured gloss black trim, while the rear bumper had a more squared-off design that improved aerodynamics, according to VW. All wheel designs and colors were new for 2023, and the rear VW logo now lit up. Despite these updates, the ID.4 didn’t look particularly SUV-like, lacking the upright profile and added ground clearance of more traditional SUVs. This might have been a problem for VW, as those styling features were a big part of SUVs’ attractiveness to new car buyers. However, this was a common issue 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 a wide variety of models. It was essentially the EV equivalent to the MQB platform that underpinned everything from the seven-seat Atlas to the VW Jetta compact sedan. The next MEB-based model slated for the U.S. was the Microbus-inspired ID.Buzz electric van, due to arrive in 2024. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, including a minimalist design and an overall feeling of quality. Leatherette upholstery with seat and door-panel inserts made partly from recycled fibers were standard for 2023.

Entering its 12th model year without a redesign, the Durango was certainly a familiar face. But it was also an attractive one. Dodge left the faux ruggedness to other brands, going for clean, almost car-like styling. The Durango avoided the trend of oversized grilles, featuring slim styling flanked by forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake. At the back, Dodge’s signature “racetrack” taillights gave the Durango a distinctive look. The muscular SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had unique styling features, but they were fairly subtle, with a Viper-like hood and functional center air inlet and heat extractors.

Some of the SRT styling features were also available as part of the Blacktop Package on Dodge Durango R/T and GT models. Alternatively, a Hemi Orange appearance package for the R/T splashed the signature orange used for Dodge Hemi V8 engines since the 1960s onto the exterior badges and the contrast stitching for the seats. Blackout trim packages were available as well, and all models could be equipped with 20-inch wheels. Dodge also doubled the number of available colors for 2023, adding Frostbite, Night Moves, Red Oxide, and Triple Nickel to the palette.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack on the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh pack and were available with RWD or AWD. Powertrains and most specs carried over, with single-motor RWD models rated at 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. The dual-motor AWD powertrain upped output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, allowing for zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, according to VW.

Volkswagen estimated that the smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, which should have improved acceleration and handling. The 62-kWh ID.4 Standard felt quite spritely during a short drive around downtown Chattanooga. With AWD, the ID.4 had the acceleration to rival hot hatchbacks like VW’s Golf GTI and Golf R, but not the handling. While comfortable and refined, the ID.4 allowed too much body roll to be truly entertaining on twisty roads. All EVs used regenerative braking to recover energy while decelerating, but VW didn’t pursue one-pedal driving, allowing the ID.4 to coast in its default regen setting.

The 2023 Durango was available with a plethora of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that was standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trim levels. This engine made 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Durango models got an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD) on most trim levels. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the Durango R/T and optional on the Citadel grade, made 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

The Durango SRT 392 featured a 6.4-liter naturally-aspirated Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The Durango SRT Hellcat upped the ante with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, dropping the zero to 60 mph time to 3.5 seconds. Our Hellcat test car felt every bit as quick as the specs suggested, making for a surreal experience. Adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, and confidence-inspiring Brembo brakes made all of that power easy to manage.

The ID.4 lived up to its SUV billing with more interior space than other affordable EVs. It had more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than a Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the freshly redesigned 2023 Kia Niro EV. At 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, the ID.4 also had substantially more cargo space than most other entry-level EVs. VW’s quoted towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models provided some usable capability.

VW made some small changes to the interior for 2023 that improved functionality. The center console now had a conventional lid in place of the previous sliding cover, as well as a better spot for a phone, located between the cupholders and storage bin. Three-zone climate control was now available as well, with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The Durango was offered in seven-seat or six-seat configurations. Two front bucket seats, a three-seat second-row bench, and two-seat third-row bench were standard on SXT, GT, and R/T models. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models swapped the second-row bench for second-row captain's chairs. Headroom and legroom were within a fraction of an inch of the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, Hyundai Palisade/Kia Telluride twins, and Toyota Highlander across all three rows. However, the Chevy offered substantially more cargo space than the Dodge, which had 17.2 cubic feet with all three rows in place, 43.3 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row.

Small-item storage space was generous as well. A large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports meant phones didn't have to live in the cupholders or center console storage bin. Models equipped with second-row captain's chairs also got a large center console for that row. The Durango also had plenty of muscle for towing, with V6 models having a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds, while 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8 models could tow up to 8,700 pounds.

For 2023, the formerly optional 12.0-inch touchscreen was now standard on all ID.4 models, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trim levels. The infotainment system itself got some software updates to improve responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. Despite the software updates, the user experience remained the same, with sharp graphics and a choice of smartphone-like icons or a more traditional automotive split-screen view. The downside was the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel that replaced conventional buttons, which were worryingly distracting.

Another carryover tech feature was ID.Light, which was part ambient lighting system, part AI assistant. Lights around the perimeter of the dashboard changed color depending on the drive mode, but also flashed to indicate which direction to turn when using the navigation system. It was a clever feature, but one that was easily overlooked in normal driving.

SXT and GT models of the Durango got an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity. The Durango Citadel and the two SRT models got a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both versions used Stellantis' ubiquitous Uconnect infotainment system, but the smaller screen got the older 4C version, while the larger screen got the current Uconnect 5 system. Our test car had the larger touchscreen and Uconnect 5, a combination that was responsive and easy to use.

The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat also got the Performance Pages app from the Challenger and Charger SRT models. This let the driver bring up all sorts of performance information on the main touchscreen, including timers, a g-force meter, and added gauges for things like oil temperature, pressure, and other engine parameters. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was also available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat model.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 ID.4 a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash-test ratings for the 2023 ID.4 weren’t published, but the similar 2022 model received the IIHS’ highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating. The ID.4 also got 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.

The 2023 Dodge Durango didn't get the full battery of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests—and results were mixed for the tests the IIHS did conduct. The Durango received top "Good" marks in the original-format moderate front overlap and side tests, as well as the roof strength test. However, it received a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave a 2023 Durango a four-star overall safety rating. Dodge didn't offer much standard driver-assist tech, either. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert were standard on all trim levels, but forward collision warning was only standard on the Durango Citadel, and part of an option package on other models.