2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Ford Escape

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent several subtle styling changes for the new model year, showcasing a blend of sophistication and modern EV aesthetics. The front bumper now featured gloss black trim, while the rear bumper had a more squared-off design that Volkswagen claimed improved aerodynamics. The wheel designs and colors were updated, and the rear VW logo became illuminated. Despite these updates, the ID.4 maintained a distinctive EV look, setting itself apart from Volkswagen’s gasoline models. However, it didn’t quite embody the traditional SUV characteristics, such as an upright profile and increased ground clearance, which might have affected its appeal to SUV buyers. The ID.4 was built on VW’s MEB platform, designed exclusively for EVs, offering modularity to accommodate various models. Inside, the ID.4 carried over the minimalist and quality-driven design from other VW gasoline cars, including leatherette upholstery partially made from recycled fibers. The base ID.4 Standard model, despite having a manual driver’s seat, did not feel like a significant downgrade from higher trims. In contrast, Ford gave the 2024 Escape a significant makeover in 2023, which was carried into the 2024 model year. The front end received a more aggressive look, replacing the previous wide-eyed, toothless smile. New wheel designs and a revamped trim lineup were introduced, offering a sleek yet generically appealing overall appearance. The 2024 Escape was available in several trims, including Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, Platinum, and Plug-in Hybrid, with prices ranging from $29,345 to $40,500, plus a $1,495 destination charge. The ST-Line Elite trim, with its sportier appearance, featured diamond-stitched, perforated leather and numerous tech upgrades. However, the interior surfaces were excessively glossy, and the upholstery felt unusually stiff, raising questions about the value of the high price tag.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery pack options: a new 62-kWh battery for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD, and an 82-kWh battery for the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus trims, available with RWD or AWD. The RWD models, regardless of battery pack, delivered 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain produced 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced the vehicle’s curb weight by 240 pounds, potentially improving acceleration and handling. The 62-kWh ID.4 Standard felt lively during urban drives, but a proper comparison required more extensive testing. The AWD variant exhibited hot hatchback-level acceleration but lacked the handling prowess due to noticeable body roll. The ID.4’s regenerative braking system allowed for energy recovery, but unlike some EVs, it didn’t offer one-pedal driving, which could disappoint some EV enthusiasts. The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite provided two powertrain options: a 192-horsepower hybrid expected to achieve 39 mpg in combined driving, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with an average fuel economy of 26 mpg. The test vehicle featured the turbocharged engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The AWD system included a driveline disconnect feature to enhance fuel efficiency, along with selectable driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Sport, and Slippery. Although the turbocharged engine delivered quick acceleration, the driving dynamics didn’t match the sporty promise of the ST badge. The ST-Line’s soft and compliant ride contrasted with the expected firm and connected feel, resulting in excessive body motion. The brake pedal was responsive, but the steering lacked feedback. Despite the sporty appearance, the Escape ST-Line prioritized comfort and isolation, making it suitable for daily commuting and errands rather than spirited driving.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more front-seat and rear-seat legroom compared to rivals like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. It also provided more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. In terms of cargo capacity, the ID.4 featured 30.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing many entry-level EVs but falling short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Notably, the ID.4 had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. VW made functional updates for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console, enhanced storage for phones, and available three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard seats. The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line, on the other hand, came with a black interior, featuring cloth inserts with artificial leather bolsters and red stitching for a sporty feel. The ST-Line Elite trim offered leather seats, ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the leather upholstery felt uncomfortable, especially in hot weather. The Escape’s front seats stood out for their size and support, while the sliding rear seat provided added comfort. The Escape offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat (34.4 cubic feet for the hybrid), expanding to 65.4 cubic feet (60.8 cubic feet for the hybrid) with the rear seat folded. Deep storage areas and a grocery bag hook added practicality to the cargo area.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. Software updates improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster provided sharp graphics and customizable views. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which replaced traditional buttons, lacked physical feedback and could be distracting. The ID.Light feature combined ambient lighting with AI assistance, guiding drivers through navigation signals, though it often blended in with the array of driver aids. The 2024 Ford Escape featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 12.3-inch display on higher trims. The ST-Line Elite trim included a 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system with a landscape orientation, providing an intuitive layout. Despite its organization, the display’s color scheme appeared washed out, and the thin fonts were hard to read. Climate controls integrated into the screen were less convenient. Sync 4’s smaller 8-inch display on lower trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and FordPass Connect with Wi-Fi hotspot access. The larger screen added Amazon Alexa and a three-year connected navigation subscription. A Bang & Olufsen sound system and an optional head-up display were available, although the sound system’s speakers were damaged during testing. Active Park Assist 2.0 offered semi-autonomous parking assistance, functioning well in controlled environments but less practical in busy settings.

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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the 2023 model, but the 2022 model, sharing similarities, earned the top “Top Safety Pick+” rating. The ID.4 came with standard safety features such as 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 model also added Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system. The 2024 Ford Escape included a standard post-collision automatic braking system and the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driving assistance features. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. The ST-Line Elite trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, evasive steering assist, lane-centering assist, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. The lane-keeping systems and adaptive cruise control showed inconsistent behavior on curvy roads but performed better on freeways. The Escape received five-star ratings from NHTSA across the board, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating, and the Plug-in Hybrid variant also got a four-star rating for driver protection in frontal-impact collisions. The 2024 model had not been rated by IIHS, but the 2023 model received Good ratings except for a Marginal score in a new side-impact test.