Hyundai Tucson vs Volkswagen ID.4

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson maintained the appealing design introduced in its 2022 refresh, making it a visually striking option in the compact SUV market. This fourth-generation model carried over key visual elements like sharp angles and distinctive headlights that seamlessly integrated into the grille, lending it a contemporary and handsome look. Even in a less photogenic color like white, the Tucson turned heads, which speaks to the effectiveness of its design.

The contrast of angles gave the Tucson an athletic stance, and its unique headlight design followed a trend seen in other successful Hyundai models. Unlike some luxury brands that make all their vehicles look alike, Hyundai distinguished each of its models uniquely. Available trims included SE, SEL, XRT, and Limited, each with features that contributed to its dynamic look. The base SE offered 17-inch alloy wheels and roof rails, while moving up to the SEL’s convenience package equipped it with 19-inch wheels. The XRT took a step further with black 19-inch wheels, side steps, dark exterior trims, and robust roof racks. The Limited trim showcased a dark chrome grille and upgraded headlights.

Inside, the Tucson did not disappoint. The modern and refined cabin was loaded with technology, yet remained approachable. However, some elements, such as the test model's lack of a volume dial, opting instead for touch-capacitive buttons and steering wheel toggles, were less user-friendly. The placement of controls close to the shifter and cupholders was practical, although it took a while to learn their exact locations.

Standard features in the base SE trim included two USB ports, remote keyless entry, a manually adjustable driver’s seat, HD radio, power windows, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the SEL added push-button start, power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless device charging, and additional USB ports. The Limited trim, which we drove, came packed with premium features like ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, genuine leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, an upgraded Bose stereo system, and memory settings for the driver’s seat.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 embraced a conservative but timeless look typical of VW’s design philosophy. Despite its more reserved aesthetic, the design was aging well. For this model year, all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions came standard with 20-inch wheels, while the S Plus trim featured 21-inch wheels.

The ID.4 lineup was somewhat complex. There were two primary models: the ID.4 with a 62-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, and the ID.4 Pro with an 82-kWh battery, each available in base, S, and S Plus trims. The Pro models also offered AWD for enhanced traction and performance. Prices ranged from $39,735 for the entry-level trim to $57,055, plus a $1,425 destination charge.

Volkswagen highlighted the federal tax credit benefits for the ID.4, offering up to $7,500 credit at purchase with batteries from specific suppliers. Additionally, each 2024 ID.4 came with 500 kWh of free DC fast charging at Electrify America stations, plus a complimentary three-year EA Pass+ membership.

We tested an ID.4 Pro S, which had the larger battery and rear-wheel drive (RWD), priced at $51,815 before the potential tax credit. Inside, Volkswagen moved away from last year’s color schemes, offering more sophisticated finishes in 2024. Changes included a new transmission shift stalk, revised controls, and updated seating options for improved comfort. Particularly in the S and S Plus trims, features like ventilated seats and a Harman Kardon premium sound system added luxury to the efficient electric vehicle.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available in front-wheel drive or AWD configurations, this standard powertrain was adequate for city driving but underwhelming for highway acceleration and passing maneuvers. The engine tended to be noisy when pushed hard, and it generally lacked the thrilling dynamics some competitors offered. For those seeking more punch, Hyundai also offered a 226-hp Tucson Hybrid and a 261-hp Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

Despite the performance limitations of the base engine, the Tucson excelled in handling and ride quality. It struck a balance between comfort and agility, soaking up road imperfections for a smooth ride while still delivering precise steering in corners. While it wasn’t as sporty as a Mazda CX-5, it provided a well-rounded driving experience many would find satisfying.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, however, took a different approach with its electric powertrain. The new rear electric drive motor in the single-motor Pro models delivered a substantial 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds—a notable improvement over previous years. The 62-kWh models retained their 201 hp and 229 lb-ft motor, which was less powerful but still effective.

Opting for the dual-motor AWD system boosted the ID.4 Pro’s power to 335 hp, with 99 hp to the front wheels and 402 lb-ft to the rear, reducing the 0-60 mph time to just 4.9 seconds. The electric SUV also offered impressive driving range: 291 miles for RWD and 263 miles for AWD per EPA estimates.

Charging capabilities were another highlight for the ID.4. Compatible with 11-kW Level 2 home chargers, the 62-kWh battery recharged in about 6.25 hours, while the 82-kWh battery took around eight hours. At DC fast-charging stations, the smaller battery could accept up to 140 kW, and the larger battery could handle up to 175 kW, charging from 10% to 80% in roughly 30 minutes.

During our test drive in Pasadena, California, the ID.4 Pro S proved agile and responsive. The upgraded powertrain made freeway merging and mountain driving effortless. Despite some road noise at higher speeds and firm ride quality in city conditions, the electric Volkswagen delivered a solid driving experience. The brake pedal felt natural, thanks to well-integrated regenerative braking, although it wasn’t a one-pedal driving system.

The Hyundai Tucson excelled in its practicality, offering up to 74.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down and 38.7 cubic feet with them up—impressive numbers for the compact SUV segment, second only to the Honda CR-V. Lower trims came with a manual liftgate, while SEL trims and above featured a hands-free power liftgate. This liftgate was particularly user-friendly, requiring only that you stand near the bumper with the key fob to activate it, without the need for awkward foot waving.

Inside, the Tucson provided ample space for up to five passengers, with generous headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were particularly roomy, making long trips comfortable for four adults—a notable feature given the compact class. Practical touches included numerous cup holders and a sizeable center tray that also housed a wireless charging pad.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 also focused on comfort and practicality but with some unique interior features. For 2024, VW relocated the transmission selector to a stalk on the steering column and moved wiper controls to the left stalk. The lighting controls migrated to a touch-sensing pad on the dashboard.

Despite some usability quirks with the touch-sensing controls, the ID.4 aimed to make the interior more user-friendly with an upgraded 12.9-inch touchscreen for the Pro models. Climate controls were easier to access, and illuminated sliders for volume and temperature made nighttime operations simpler.

Comfort improved with the addition of ventilated front seats in the Pro S and Pro S Plus trims, making the simulated leather upholstery more tolerable in warm climates. Heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a heated windshield were standard, and AWD models added extra heating elements.

Both front seats offered comfort and a good view of the road, while rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom and a comfortable seating position. Practical features included air conditioning vents, USB-C charging ports, an armrest with cupholders, and 60/40-split folding rear seats with a center pass-through. The ID.4 offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded down, slightly less than the Tucson.

The Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base trims. This system was user-friendly, with home buttons for key functions and thumb rollers for volume and tuning, although it lacked a traditional volume dial.

Higher trims boasted a fully digital instrument panel and a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen. However, users lost wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and had to contend with a haptic volume toggle. Despite these drawbacks, the intuitive layout of the touchscreen and the ability to operate it with gloves were practical.

Hyundai’s remote start system was also evolved, making it simple to start the car remotely via the key fob, and drive off without needing to press the start button again.

On the Volkswagen ID.4, the new 12.9-inch touchscreen system marked a significant upgrade. It featured a home screen with four main data panels, customizable menu tiles, and always-visible climate controls. Newly illuminated sliders for volume and temperature improved usability at night.

A standout addition was the battery preconditioning feature for the navigation system, preparing the battery for DC fast charging en route to charging stations. The Harman Kardon nine-speaker premium sound system was available in the S Plus trim.

User-friendly enhancements included swift pairing for wireless Apple CarPlay, gesture controls, and a customizable native environment. VW also provided three years of complimentary access to Plus Nav and Plus Speech services, including a digital voice assistant named Ida. While Ida was helpful for various tasks, she performed inconsistently when searching for certain businesses or stations.

Car-Net connected services came with five years of complimentary access, offering features like remote battery charging and climate control operation, and automatic crash notification. The ID.4 could also be turned into a Wi-Fi hotspot, with additional radio and podcast options through an online package upgrade.

The Hyundai Tucson came loaded with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Limited trim added front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree parking camera system, and Hyundai’s Smart Park remote-parking feature. The blind-spot camera system provided real-time feeds of blind spots when signaling, offering an extra layer of safety.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2024 Tucson top scores in most crash tests, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ designation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it five stars in a frontal crash test and four stars in a rollover test.

Volkswagen ID.4’s safety suite included post-collision braking to prevent secondary collisions and the IQ.Drive collection of advanced driver assistance features. Notable among these were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, the latter responding to unresponsive drivers by safely stopping the vehicle.

Travel Assist managed following distances and lane-centering effectively during our brief freeway test. Volkswagen also offered Memory Parking, allowing the ID.4 to autonomously execute saved parking maneuvers.

The ID.4 received favorable safety ratings from the NHTSA, and early indications from the IIHS were promising.