2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

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 could be a drawback for buyers attracted to those features, although it was a common issue among many electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Bolt EUV.

The ID.4 was built on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs with modularity to support various models. This platform was akin to the MQB platform used in VW’s gasoline vehicles. The interior of the ID.4 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 higher-level trims. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts was standard for 2023.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender combined an old-school, boxy profile with modern features like angular headlights, visually connecting it to other Land Rover vehicles. However, the interior felt more durable and adventure-ready compared to other Land Rovers, resembling a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco but with more soft-touch materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each offered in various trims, including S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound.

The Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, came with the County visual package, featuring white wheels and vintage graphics. Standard features on the S trim included 19-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable and heated front seats, partial leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic glass roof, and a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel. The X-Dynamic SE trim added 20-inch alloy wheels and distinctive styling touches, while the X trim included a digital rearview mirror camera and partial Windsor leather upholstery. The V8 trim featured 22-inch wheels, leather and microsuede upholstery, and a center console refrigerator. The Carpathian Edition stood out with all-dark exterior and interior accents, and the Outbound trim offered added cargo space by removing the third row.

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 trims 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 increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4’s regenerative braking system allowed for coasting in its default setting and a more aggressive “B” setting, but it didn’t support one-pedal driving.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The P400 model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, produced 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, respectively. All engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission with full-time active 4WD. The Defender could tow up to 7,716 pounds with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder powertrains, and 5,500 pounds with the four-cylinder version. The most powerful V8 in the Defender 110 Carpathian Edition achieved zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, especially the Defender X, which included an adaptive air suspension system, Terrain Response 2 system, electronic differential, and all-terrain progress control.

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. The ID.4’s towing capacity was 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 and a better phone spot, as well as three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a blend of luxury and functionality, with soft-touch materials, grip handles, rubberized floors, and numerous cargo compartments. Seating capacity ranged from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 had an optional third row, best suited for children, while the Defender 130 offered three seats in the third row, bringing the seating capacity to eight. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, the Defender 110 offering up to 78.8 cubic feet, and the Defender 90 providing up to 58.3 cubic feet.

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, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster and ID.Light ambient lighting system were also standard. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, although the voice recognition system mitigated this issue.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, suited the Defender’s utilitarian persona. The touchscreen included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons on the touchscreen rails made it user-friendly.

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 crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS’ highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist 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, VW’s Travel Assist 2.0, and Emergency Assist 3.0. For 2023, it added standard Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist features were overly sensitive but could be deactivated.