2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Toyota Venza

Volkswagen made subtle styling changes to the 2023 ID.4, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design aimed at improving aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now lights up. Despite these updates, the ID.4 didn't look particularly SUV-like, lacking the upright profile and added ground clearance typical of traditional SUVs. This could be a drawback for buyers attracted to those features, although it's a common issue 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, with its manual driver’s seat, didn't feel like a significant downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts was standard for 2023.

The 2023 Toyota Venza was a midsize crossover SUV with a sleek and sculpted design, easily mistaken for a Lexus if not for the Toyota badging. The rear roofline tapered sharply at the taillights, avoiding the weak appearance of some "coupe-like" SUVs. The contoured body was a departure from typical Toyota designs, with harmonious curves reminiscent of a Mazda, free from awkward side bulges around the rear wheels.

Inside, the Venza borrowed heavily from the Toyota RAV4, but with noticeably nicer materials and details. The dashboard and center stack were similar, but the Venza featured better-integrated climate control buttons and more soft-touch surfaces. The materials felt more substantial compared to the vinyl-like coverings in more affordable Toyota models, approaching Lexus' level of luxury. Overall, the 2023 Venza was attractively styled inside and out, standing out among Toyota's lineup.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered 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, available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet 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, potentially improving acceleration and handling.

The ID.4's AWD version had acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks like VW’s Golf GTI and Golf R, but its handling was less impressive, allowing too much body roll on twisty roads. Regenerative braking was present but didn't support one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for EV newcomers. The ID.4 was comfortable and refined, suitable for long drives but not particularly engaging on challenging roads.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing 219 horsepower with the help of electric motor/generators and a 1.6-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack. A CVT sent power to the front wheels, while a separate electric motor powered the rear wheels for AWD. Initial acceleration was provided by the electric motors, with the gasoline engine blending in seamlessly for additional power, achieving 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds.

The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling for easy and calm transportation. Maneuverability was limited, requiring multiple-point turns in tight spaces. The ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's but not as plush as a similarly sized Lexus, with enough compliance to absorb most road imperfections.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom 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 seats 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 had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models.

VW made small interior changes for 2023, including 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 Toyota Venza's front seats offered plenty of space for taller drivers and passengers, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The Star Gaze panoramic roof could turn opaque at the touch of a button, a feature more common in luxury vehicles. Outward visibility was excellent, though the roof pillar behind the driver could block the blind spot. Rear visibility was limited, typical for most SUVs. The rear seats were spacious with ample legroom and foot room, though headroom was limited.

The Venza offered 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. It wasn't rated for towing, limiting its utility. However, it excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a standard wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, a deep center armrest bin, and large door pockets.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, 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. Despite updates, the user experience remained similar, with sharp graphics, smartphone-like icons, and natural-language voice recognition.

The ID.4's haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel replaced conventional buttons, lacking physical feedback and potentially distracting. However, voice recognition often made these controls redundant. The ID.Light system, part ambient lighting and part AI assistant, changed colors based on drive mode and provided navigation cues, blending in with other visual and audio alerts.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and above offered a 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics, quick responses, and a logical menu structure, a noticeable improvement over past Toyota systems.

A Wi-Fi connection was available for a 30-day trial, offering remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app, maintenance reminders, and enhanced roadside assistance. The Limited trim included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, functioning as a virtual navigator with Google map data. The base audio system had six speakers and satellite radio for a three-month trial, while a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system was optional on the XLE and standard on the Limited.

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 except for an “Average” score for standard headlights. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features like 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. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2023 Toyota Venza scored five stars in overall and side crash protection from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal and rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it the highest score of "Good" in most tests, except for an "Acceptable" rating in the new side impact test, earning it a Top Safety Pick designation. The Venza came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. The XLE trim added front and rear parking sensors and reverse automatic emergency braking, while the Limited trim included a surround-view camera system, head-up display, and digital rearview mirror.