2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Mazda CX-90

Volkswagen made some very subtle styling changes for the 2023 ID.4. The front bumper now featured gloss black trim, while the rear bumper had a more squared-off design that improved aerodynamics, according to VW. All wheel designs and colors were new for 2023, and the rear VW logo now lit up. Despite these updates, the ID.4 didn’t look particularly SUV-like, lacking the upright profile and added ground clearance of more traditional SUVs. This might have been a problem for VW, as those styling features were a big part of SUVs’ attractiveness to new car buyers. However, the same could be said about many other current electric vehicles.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 took the elegant design language of the smaller Mazda CX-30 and CX-5 and supersized it. Stretching over 200 inches, the CX-90 was an imposing SUV with a big grille, wide-set front end, and large wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Tasteful chrome trim added to its elegance despite its mass. Inside, the top-shelf models sported an interior that could match some of the best names in luxury. Brown suede upholstery covered the dash, wood inlays filled the center console, and any black plastic bits were pleasantly matte. The CX-90 was available in many different trims, with the top-tier Turbo S Premium Plus model offering the most luxurious experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery pack options: a new 62-kWh pack for the base Standard and S models, and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models. The single-motor RWD models were rated at 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain upped output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, allowing for zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, which improved acceleration and handling. However, the ID.4 allowed too much body roll to be truly entertaining on twisty roads. Regenerative braking was present but did not support one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV fans.

Mazda’s big news for 2024 was the introduction of two new powertrains for the CX-90. The CX-90 was the first Mazda SUV to offer a plug-in hybrid option, aiming to deliver better fuel economy and performance than the outgoing CX-9. The turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque in base spec, while the upgraded I6 in the Turbo S trims produced 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. All CX-90 models came with AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The PHEV model employed a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, totaling 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The CX-90 handled brilliantly through corners, tackling twisty roads with the composure of a much smaller vehicle.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 lived up to its SUV billing with more interior space than other affordable EVs. It had more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than a Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. With 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 had substantially more cargo space than most other entry-level EVs. VW’s quoted towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models provided some usable capability. Small changes to the interior for 2023 improved functionality, including a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 was available in an array of trims and seating configurations. The lowest-level iterations could seat eight passengers, while mid-level trims got captain’s chairs in place of the second-row bench. The Turbo S models had a two-seat configuration in the third row, with the base trim seating seven and the more expensive trims seating six. Cargo space measured 75.2 cubic feet in models with the two-seater third row, and 74.2 cubic feet in models with the three-across back seat. The CX-90 had plenty of cubbies and clever storage options, including a large center console, spacious door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. The lovely materials and upholstery, comfortable seats, and a big panoramic sunroof made the CX-90 a comfortable choice.

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 was also standard. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were worryingly distracting. The ID.Light feature, part ambient lighting system and part AI assistant, was a clever addition but easily overlooked in normal driving.

Mazda’s approach to technology in the 2024 CX-90 focused on eliminating distractions to ensure safety. The Mazda Connect infotainment software used a set of hard buttons on the center console and a rotary control knob instead of a touchscreen interface. While the intention was to reduce distraction, the setup often ended up being more distracting. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software that used facial recognition to adjust settings automatically. The CX-90 also came standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls for these projection systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 a five-star overall safety rating, 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 also came with a good complement of standard driver-assist features, including 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. For 2023, the ID.4 added standard Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature for Travel Assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

Mazda’s i-Activsense suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) came standard on every 2024 CX-90 and included features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Other standard ADAS features included automatic emergency braking, smart brake support with front-crossing and turn-across-traffic identification capabilities, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit warning. The CX-90 also benefited from lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus test car had cruising and traffic support, blending lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2024 Mazda CX-90, but it was expected to perform well.