2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

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 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.

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 higher trims. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts was standard for 2023.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with a lower, wider, and longer stance. It featured broad-shouldered proportions, square wheel arches, and fake air vents below the headlights and taillights. Available in eight trim levels, the CX-50 offered 17-inch wheels on lower trims and 20-inch wheels on higher grades. The 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition, our test car, emphasized an active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim.

The CX-50’s interior design was pleasing, with an infotainment screen on a shelf and impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand. However, it didn’t fully meet Mazda’s upscale aspirations. Standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats on base models were reminders of Mazda’s traditional market position. The CX-50’s earthy color palette and Terracotta leather upholstery added to its rugged appeal, but it still felt like a work in progress in Mazda’s move towards a more upscale brand.

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 delivered 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 62-kWh ID.4 Standard felt spritely during a short drive, but more seat time was needed for a proper comparison with the larger-battery RWD version. The AWD ID.4 had acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks like the Golf GTI and Golf R, but its handling wasn’t as sharp. The ID.4 used regenerative braking but didn’t offer one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for EV newcomers.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo engine delivered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane gasoline, and 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87-octane fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes, and a Towing mode on turbo models, increasing towing capacity to 3,500 pounds.

The CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5 but offered a different driving experience. It was a good daily driver but lacked the sporty dynamics of the CX-5. The Meridian Edition’s all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, and the roof platform contributed to wind noise at highway speeds. The CX-50 was well-mannered otherwise, but the Meridian Edition’s off-road enhancements didn’t significantly improve its handling.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than the 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 seats folded, surpassing most entry-level EVs. However, it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in interior space.

The ID.4 had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models, offering some usable capability. 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 2024 Mazda CX-50 had similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom and more legroom in both rows. It offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly less than the CX-5. The CX-50 trailed competitors in cargo space, although it had more rear-seat legroom than the Toyota RAV4.

Cargo-area access was improved by an available power liftgate, but the cargo area wasn’t ideal for dirty or bulky items. The optional roof platform was high, making it less accessible for shorter people. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space, a substantial shifter, and Mazda’s rotary infotainment controller on the center console.

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 natural-language voice recognition were also standard.

The ID.4’s user interface included sharp graphics and a choice of smartphone-like icons or a traditional split-screen view. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, lacking physical feedback. The ID.Light system, part ambient lighting and part AI assistant, provided visual cues for navigation and drive modes.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, controlled by a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims offered wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Mazda’s touchscreen-free interface required adjustment but provided physical feedback, making it easier to use without taking eyes off the road. The infotainment system felt dated, with plain graphics and basic functions, appealing to buyers who preferred simplicity. The system’s graphics were less relevant when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

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, with top scores in all crash tests and front crash prevention, but 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, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests, a “Good” score for optional headlights, and a “Superior” score for front-crash prevention in the vehicle-to-pedestrian daytime test. However, it received a “Basic” score for the nighttime test and an “Average” score for standard headlights.

Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, a driver attention monitor, and emergency lane-keeping with road-keep assist. Optional features included rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera system.