2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Volkswagen Taos

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was designed to appeal to a broad audience, offering a balance of affordability and comfort. Despite its higher base price compared to the Jetta, the Taos quickly became a popular choice in the U.S., even surpassing the Jetta in sales during its first year. The Taos was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with options for front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The SEL trim, in particular, stood out with its stylish design, featuring bold 19-inch alloy wheels and a premium interior that resembled a more affordable Audi. The spacious interior made it one of the largest small crossover SUVs available, providing ample room for passengers and cargo.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates, including new wheel designs and a light-up rear VW logo. While it didn't have the traditional SUV look, it offered a modern design that set it apart from VW's gasoline models. The ID.4 was built on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for electric vehicles, and shared interior qualities with recent VW gasoline models. The minimalist design and quality materials were evident, even in the base ID.4 Standard model. The ID.4 provided a comfortable and spacious interior, with more legroom and headroom than many other affordable EVs, making it a practical choice for those seeking an electric SUV.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel-drive models, while all-wheel-drive versions came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Taos offered up to five driving modes and additional settings for the 4Motion AWD system. However, the powertrain response was unpredictable, with occasional surges of torque and delays in response. Despite its sporty character, the Taos struggled with its lack of power, especially when compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona N. The Taos averaged 26.8 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery 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 delivered 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD models increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD version rivaled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but lacked the handling prowess. Regenerative braking was present, but VW opted for a more traditional driving experience rather than one-pedal driving.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of interior options, with cloth seats in the S trim, CloudTex artificial leather in the SE, and real leather in the SEL. The SE and SEL trims included cold-weather features like heated side mirrors and front seats. The SEL trim added rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel. The Taos provided ample interior space, with a comfortable eight-way power driver's seat and generous rear-seat room. Cargo space was also impressive, with 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.9 cubic feet with them folded down, slightly reduced in AWD models.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more legroom and headroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with a capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. VW made functional interior changes for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console and improved phone storage. Three-zone climate control was available, enhancing comfort for rear-seat passengers.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos came with standard digital instrumentation, with an eight-inch screen for S and SE trims and a 10.25-inch display for the SEL. Infotainment systems varied, with the Taos S featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen and the SE and SEL offering an eight-inch screen with additional features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL trim included a native navigation system and an eight-speaker Beats Audio system. However, the user experience was hindered by hidden virtual controls and a challenging radio tuning process. The voice-recognition technology was also lacking unless upgraded with additional services.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 12.0-inch touchscreen across all models, with software updates to improve responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The user interface included sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, lacking physical feedback. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, but it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its standard safety features, with the Taos S including Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added VW's IQ.Drive suite, which included Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Taos also featured a post-collision automatic braking system and automatic high-beam headlights. Travel Assist performed well during testing, providing smooth and accurate assistance. However, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were decent but not perfect.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with excellent scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. For 2023, it added Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.