2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Volvo XC60

When shopping for a new 2023 Volvo XC60, buyers had to choose between three powertrains. The XC60 B5 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, while the XC60 B6 employed a turbocharged, supercharged, and mild-hybrid engine. Both models came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The upgrade model, the XC60 Recharge, boasted a turbocharged PHEV powertrain, combining a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder gas engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack, providing an estimated 35 miles of electric driving before switching to hybrid operation. Prices ranged from just under $46,000 to over $76,000, with trim levels including Core, Plus, Ultimate, and the PHEV-only Polestar Engineered.

Our test vehicle, the XC60 Recharge Ultimate with the Dark exterior theme, featured extra-cost Thunder Grey paint, a Climate Package, air suspension, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, bringing the MSRP to $74,690. Sitting on 20-inch wheels, the XC60 Recharge looked stunning, with Volvo's timeless design aging gracefully. Inside, the classic Scandinavian minimalism, enhanced by black leather, wood trim, metal accents, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof, created an opulent atmosphere.

For the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4, VW made subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design to improve aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors, along with a rear VW logo that lit up, were also introduced. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV, it lacked the upright profile and ground clearance of traditional SUVs, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, this was a common trait among many current electric vehicles.

The ID.4 was based on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs with built-in modularity. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, featuring a minimalist design and an overall feeling of quality. The base ID.4 Standard model, aside from a manual driver's seat, didn't feel like much of a downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S. Leatherette upholstery with seat and door-panel inserts made partly from recycled fibers were standard for 2023.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, while an electric motor powered the rear wheels. This setup, combined with a battery pack providing an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range, produced 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. The maximum towing capacity was 3,500 pounds. Several driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, governed the XC60 Recharge's behavior, accessible through the 9-inch touchscreen display.

The XC60 Recharge was exceptionally quick, with Volvo claiming a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. The drivetrain refresh in mid-2022 made the XC60 Recharge the most powerful in Volvo's history. The more powerful electric motor added a torque-vectoring effect in Hybrid mode, making the XC60 fun to drive. During our evaluation, the XC60 Recharge averaged 54.6 mpg over a 65-mile route. The one-pedal driving function and regenerative brakes helped extend the battery's charge, while Charge mode allowed the XC60 to operate solely on the gas engine and recharge the battery.

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 models retained the 82-kWh pack, available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models were rated at 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain produced 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, allowing for a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling.

The ID.4's AWD version had the acceleration to rival hot hatchbacks like VW's Golf GTI and Golf R, but not the handling. While comfortable and refined, the ID.4 allowed too much body roll to be truly entertaining on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system didn't support one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for EV first-timers.

The Volvo XC60, a compact crossover SUV, was best for carrying four people, though it could accommodate five when necessary. The front seats provided outstanding comfort, wrapped in soft Nappa leather upholstery with heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were also comfortable but offered limited legroom for taller passengers. Storage space was decent, with practical spots for smaller items in the center console and larger items in the door panel bins or glovebox. The power liftgate revealed 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

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. The ID.4 provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. VW benchmarked the ID.4 against gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, but it fell short of those vehicles in interior space. The ID.4's towing capacity was 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. Small interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone, along with three-zone climate control and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 came with a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, operated via steering wheel controls. The 9-inch infotainment system, a Google Built-in setup, included four years of complimentary access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. It supported Apple CarPlay and featured SiriusXM satellite radio and Wi-Fi access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, though it occasionally threw curve balls. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system was sensationally good but expensive at $3,200.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trim levels. The infotainment system received software updates to improve responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel replaced conventional buttons, which could be distracting. The ID.Light system, part ambient lighting and part AI assistant, changed color depending on the drive mode and provided navigation cues.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, synonymous with safety, came with all available safety features in the Ultimate trim. Pilot Assist, Volvo's most advanced driver-assistance system, combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. The XC60 B5 and B6 mild-hybrids earned top marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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 came with standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. For 2023, the ID.4 added standard Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.