2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 BMW X5

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 to improve 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 might have been a drawback for some buyers, although it was a common issue among many electric vehicles at the time.

The ID.4 was based on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs with built-in modularity to support various models. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, featuring a minimalist design and an overall feeling of quality. Even the base ID.4 Standard model, aside from a manual driver’s seat, didn’t seem like much of a downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S. Leatherette upholstery with seat and door-panel inserts made partly from recycled fibers were standard for 2023.

The BMW X5, last redesigned in 2019, had styling that aged well, although the M Sport treatment made it look more like a station wagon than an SUV. The test vehicle had the optional 21-inch “741M” wheel design with staggered-width summer tires, which were considered a worthwhile upgrade despite the eventual cost of replacing the rubber. The X5 was available with various powertrains, including a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, a turbo-six PHEV powertrain, a turbocharged V8 engine, and a high-performance variant with an even more powerful turbo V8.

The test vehicle arrived in xDrive50e M Sport specification, featuring extra-cost Brooklyn Grey paint, optional 21-inch wheels, and every available equipment package, with an MSRP of $88,075, including the $1,175 destination charge. The 2024 model received a light styling refresh to align better with BMW’s other models, and the interior was modernized with the BMW Curved Display instrumentation and infotainment screen, a reduction in physical switchgear, and new transmission controls. The quality of materials and construction remained high, tying the X5 to its past.

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 models retained the 82-kWh pack and were available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models were rated at 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, allowing for a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, 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 lacked the handling prowess. It was comfortable and refined but allowed too much body roll to be truly entertaining on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system didn’t support one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV fans but provided a more familiar experience for first-time EV drivers.

The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e PHEV featured new mild-hybrid six-cylinder and V8 engines, with a substantial upgrade to its electric range and overall power output. The new electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission and a more energy-dense lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 19.2 kWh allowed for 38 miles of electric-only driving. The xDrive50e produced 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds.

The PHEV version was favored for its balance of performance and efficiency. It required a Level 2 home charging station for optimal electric driving, as a standard household outlet added less than two miles of range per hour of charging. The adaptive damping air suspension helped hide the vehicle’s weight, and the 21-inch wheels and tires didn’t compromise ride quality. The X5 excelled in various driving conditions, including a rousing run down Southern California’s Mulholland Highway, delivering excellent acceleration, grip, and steering response.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than a 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, surpassing most other entry-level EVs. 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 changes to the interior for 2023, including 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 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e worked well as a midsize luxury SUV, with room for five people in two rows of seats. It offered 33.1 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 71.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The split liftgate design provided a nice place to sit but required stretching to reach items deep in the cargo hold. The test vehicle featured BMW’s Sensafin artificial leather, which felt like genuine leather, and sport seats were standard.

The Climate Comfort Package added 20-way power-adjustable multi-contour front seats with heating and ventilation, four-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated armrests, and heated rear seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed supportive cushions and a panoramic sunroof. The X5 no longer offered an optional third-row seat, which was available in the BMW X7.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trim levels. The infotainment system received software updates to improve responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster and natural-language voice recognition were also standard. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, although voice recognition made them redundant in most situations.

The ID.Light feature, part ambient lighting system and part AI assistant, changed colors depending on the drive mode and flashed to indicate navigation directions. It was a clever feature but easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2024 BMW X5 featured the BMW Curved Display, combining a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a single curved piece of glass. The system ran BMW Operating System 8.5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services, and over-the-air software updates. The Intelligent Personal Assistant, however, had issues with voice recognition, often providing incorrect directions.

The available head-up display effectively conveyed data, including the status of advanced driving assistance systems. An augmented video function for the navigation system showed a forward-facing camera view in the middle of the digital display, although the Intelligent Personal Assistant’s accuracy was a concern.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for front crash prevention. The ID.4 also included a good complement of standard driver-assist features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0.

The 2024 BMW X5 added the Highway Assistant hands-free driving assistance system, which worked well in dense, slow-moving traffic or at higher speeds in light traffic. However, it could behave unpredictably in moderate traffic and occasionally engaged the brakes without apparent cause. The X5’s driver aids operated subtly, making them more likely to be used. The IIHS gave the 2024 X5 high ratings, although lower headlight ratings prevented it from earning an IIHS safety award. The NHTSA gave the X5 an overall crash-test rating of four stars.