Volkswagen ID.4 vs Subaru Ascent

Subaru had persistently faced challenges with vehicle styling over the years. Occasionally, the manufacturers succeeded in producing an appealing vehicle, only to lose their touch during subsequent refreshes. This was evident in the latest Subaru Ascent, where last year's redesign introduced visually displeasing tusks and a boldly intrusive spear running across the grille and into the headlights.

The 2024 Ascent lineup comprised six trim levels: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Onyx Edition Limited, and the top-tier Touring trim. Prices ranged from $34,395 to $48,695, plus a mandatory destination charge of $1,345. The test vehicle was the Touring trim, additionally equipped with optional all-weather floor liners, bringing its MSRP to $50,181, including destination.

Choosing the Touring trim over the Limited offered several notable upgrades. These included a standard panoramic sunroof, premium Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a navigation system, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, a camera-based rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera. Essentially, it featured everything Subaru could pack into an Ascent, aside from accessories like wireless smartphone charging.

The interior materials in the Subaru Ascent Touring appeared good in quality. The design adhered to Subaru's modular approach, making it seem like a large Lego set, practical and functional but lacking in sophistication or modern appeal.

The design philosophy of the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 leaned towards conservative elegance, displaying a timeless look that aged well. That year, AWD versions came with standard 20-inch wheels, while the S Plus trim sported an exclusive 21-inch design.

The ID.4 lineup included two primary models: ID.4 and ID.4 Pro. The standard ID.4 operated with a 62-kWh battery, while the Pro variant housed an 82-kWh battery. The trim levels—base, S, and S Plus—provided variety, with AWD available for Pro models to enhance traction and performance. Pricing varied from an entry MSRP of $39,735 to $57,055, plus a $1,425 destination charge from its Chattanooga, Tennessee production plant.

A key selling point was that 2024 ID.4s equipped with an SK On battery qualified for the full $7,500 federal tax credit immediately at purchase. Volkswagen also provided 500 kWh of free DC fast charging at Electrify America stations, along with a complimentary three-year EA Pass+ membership offering discounted charging rates, replacing the previous offering of unlimited free 30-minute charging sessions for three years.

The test vehicle driven was an ID.4 Pro S, featuring the larger battery pack, mid-level trim, and rear-wheel drive. Including the destination charge and extra-cost paint, the price totaled $51,815 before applying the tax credit.

Inside, the S and S Plus trims of the Volkswagen ID.4 saw updates. Dropping last year's light gray and blue Cosmic interior treatment, in 2024, the trims offered Cosmic Black (black and blue) or Galaxy (black and gray) artificial leather upholstery. Standard models maintained the choice between Nutmeg/Brown and Stone/Black fabric with artificial leather bolsters. Additional improvements included a relocated transmission shift stalk, revised steering wheel controls, available ventilated front seats, and an optional Harman Kardon premium sound system. The ID.4 Pro received a new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, enhancing user interaction.

Initially, the ID.4's interior design was radically distinct from conventional vehicles, but with growing familiarity in electric vehicle circles, it became more mainstream. Nevertheless, quirks like dual-function power window controls persisted, potentially causing initial frustration. Additionally, the automatic on-off functionality added some inconvenience, although drivers could manually control it via a hidden steering column button.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. The engine was mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that directed power to all four wheels using Subaru's standard all-wheel-drive system with active torque vectoring. Subaru claimed a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for the Ascent, although the Base trim had a lower capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The Ascent felt at home across varied driving environments, be it cityscapes, suburban areas, rural gravel roads, or off-road trails. It handled neighborhood speed bumps effortlessly and tackled rutted off-road terrain with ease. The Ascent's rally-like capability shone through on winding gravel paths, and it handled school drop-off lanes and market parking lots effectively. The turbocharged engine made merging into fast-moving traffic a non-issue.

The classic Subaru boxer engine design grumbled alongside the turbo 2.4-liter four-cylinder, delivering ample power seamlessly through the CVT, which had eight programmed ratios that mimicked a conventional automatic transmission quite effectively.

However, the Ascent struggled in two key areas. First, it wasn't adept at navigating twisty mountain roads. Despite a frisky underlying platform, the vehicle's considerable curb weight, soft suspension, and standard all-season tires limited its agility. Second, fuel economy was subpar. With 20-inch wheels, the Ascent's EPA ratings were 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. During testing, city mileage was noted at 16.7 mpg, with an overall test drive yielding 18.6 mpg. Fortunately, a 19.3-gallon fuel tank allowed for a range of 325 miles before necessitating a refill.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 was far from a compromised EV, thanks to its new rear electric drive motor in the Pro models. This unit produced 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, enabling the ID.4 to reach 60 mph in a claimed 5.9 seconds—1.3 seconds quicker than the previous model. In contrast, the 62-kWh models continued with the older motor generating 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.

Adding AWD to the 2024 ID.4 Pro involved an additional motor for the front wheels, providing traction when needed without a direct connection between the front and rear motors. The dual-motor AWD models produced 335 hp and 402 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, making them 0.8 seconds quicker in acceleration than their predecessors.

Driving range with a full charge was impressive. The 2024 ID.4 Pro models offered an EPA-rated 291 miles with RWD using 30 kWh/100 miles, and 263 miles with AWD consuming 33 kWh/100 miles. The standard 62-kWh models had an EPA-estimated range of 206 miles.

Every ID.4 was compatible with 11-kW Level 2 home charging stations. The 62-kWh battery fully recharged in 6.25 hours, while the 82-kWh battery did so in eight hours. DC fast charging allowed the 62-kWh battery to accept up to 140 kW and the 82-kWh up to 175 kW, achieving a 10% to 80% charge in about 30 minutes.

During a media event, testing involved driving the ID.4 Pro S with RWD around Pasadena, California, for under two hours. City, freeway, and mountain road driving routes revealed a 28.6 kWh/100 miles efficiency rating, slightly better than the EPA's estimate. The vehicle performed well in Normal mode with Brake mode active.

The new electric motor improved acceleration substantially, making freeway merges and mountainous drives effortless. Though road noise was notable at higher speeds, the ID.4's handling on twisty roads was well-aligned with typical EV performance. In urban settings, the ride was firm but comfortable.

The brake pedal had a natural feel, a common challenge with regenerative brakes. The regenerative braking mode was more perceptible at highway speeds than in the city, nearly bringing the ID.4 to a stop but lacking a complete one-pedal driving system. For most drivers, this setup was more practical than one-pedal driving.

Overall, the 2024 ID.4 Pro offered a pleasant driving experience, performing comparably to competing models and presenting itself more as a formidable competitor than a compromise.

Subaru's Ascent prioritized functionality over aesthetics. Its interior featured a dashboard shelf, large rear door cupholders conveniently accessible for children in safety seats, backpack pegs on second-row seatbacks, and cargo hooks in the luggage compartment, making daily life easier.

In the Touring trim, the comfortable front seats came wrapped in soft premium Nappa leather, with heating and ventilation. However, the front passenger's seat lacked height adjustment, although it was positioned high enough for good leg support.

The rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, with wide, flat sills that served as steps for roof rail accessibility. Subaru claimed a 700-pound static load capability for the raised roof rails, suitable for a rooftop tent. These wide doors also facilitated the easy loading of children, although space constraints could be an issue when parked close to other vehicles. The heated second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, though the Ascent felt slightly snug in legroom compared to rivals. Side window shades helped block sunlight from children's eyes.

Third-row seats were reasonably comfortable for adults on short trips, offering enough leg support. Access required some maneuvering, either from the side or between the captain's chairs. Kids tended to enjoy this area, which included air conditioning vents and ample storage.

Behind the third-row, the Ascent provided up to 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space, including a plastic-lined underfloor compartment for wet items. Folding the third-row increased the space to 43.5 cubic feet, and with the second-row down, it maximized at 75.6 cubic feet. These measurements slightly decreased with the panoramic sunroof installed.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 featured interior updates that enhanced usability and comfort. The transmission selector moved to a stalk on the steering wheel's right side, while wiper controls shifted to the left stalk. Lighting controls were relocated to a touch-sensing pad on the dashboard's left side.

Touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel also saw minor adjustments, but accidental activation of features like the heated steering wheel persisted during drives. These controls, common in various vehicles, often led to unintentional errors such as toggling functions or changing display data.

The ID.4 Pro's new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system facilitated better usability, making climate controls more accessible and illuminating volume and temperature touch-sliders for nighttime use. The Pro S and Pro S Plus trims added new ventilated front seats, improving comfort in hot climates, despite the test drive occurring on a cool day in Southern California.

Front seats in the ID.4 were comfortable, offering excellent visibility. Standard features included heated front seats, side mirrors, and washer nozzles, while AWD models added a heated windshield. The S Plus trims featured heated rear seats and a triple-zone climate system.

Rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom and a good seating position, with thigh support and comfortable backrest angles. Amenities included air conditioning vents, USB-C ports, and a small storage cubby. The 60/40-split back seat had a center pass-through for longer items, maintaining room for passengers. Cargo space behind the seat offered 30.3 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the seat folded down. Unlike some EVs, the ID.4 lacked a front trunk.

Comparing cargo capacity, the Subaru Ascent held a slight advantage, with 43.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row and up to 75.6 cubic feet total, compared to the ID.4's 64.2 cubic feet maximum.

Subaru equipped the 2024 Ascent with the latest Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. It included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM, and text messaging capability.

Higher trim levels added Starlink connected services such as a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The Safety & Security plan provided features like automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, and remote engine start.

During testing, these features worked well, although the display struggled in direct sunlight, and the native voice-recognition was underwhelming. Users were better off pairing their phones for CarPlay or Android Auto. Wireless charging was available as an accessory.

Physical buttons and knobs for common functions such as volume, tuning, climate control, and defrosters enhanced usability. Upper trims offered Cabin Connect, projecting the driver’s voice through the speakers to communicate with passengers easily, a surround-view camera, and a camera-based rearview mirror for improved visibility.

A significant update for the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 was its new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard with Pro models. Despite less appealing graphics, the user experience improved.

The interface included a home screen with main data panels, customizable primary menu tiles, and ever-present climate controls at the bottom. Illuminated nighttime volume and temperature sliders enhanced usability.

Standard navigation included a battery preconditioning feature for DC fast charging preparation during trips. A nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, new for the ID.4, was available with the S Plus trim.

The updated infotainment system improved overall experience. Tested functionality included quick iPhone pairing and seamless Apple CarPlay operation. The native interface was user-friendly, especially when customized. Gesture control, though available, was not tested owing to time constraints.

Volkswagen’s infotainment system came with three years of Plus Nav access, providing traffic, fuel price, and parking data, and Plus Speech, featuring a digital assistant named Ida, customizable and partially effective during testing. Ida successfully found nearby necessities but failed at more specific tasks.

Additionally, the ID.4 included a five-year subscription for Remote Access and Safe & Secure services, offering remote battery handling, climate control, and emergency assistance. Car-Net Hotspot service enabled Wi-Fi access, and upgrading to the Plus Online Radio Package opened up 30,000 radio and podcast options.

Subaru and safety were practically synonymous, and the 2024 Ascent upheld this reputation with its high-strength steel platform and standard EyeSight package of safety features and driver assistance systems.

The Ascent excelled in crash tests, earning five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all assessments except rollover resistance, where it received four stars. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating for the 2023 calendar year.

EyeSight equipped the Ascent with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. Automatic high-beam headlights were also standard.

Upgrading to Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and Starlink Safety & Security connected services. Higher trims offered features like automatic reverse braking and a Driver Focus system with facial recognition.

While historically impressive, current EyeSight technology faced criticism, particularly its lane-centering assist. It struggled with passing freeway ramps and lane changes, at one point directing the test vehicle into a turn lane erroneously.

In challenging conditions, such as the winding Conejo Grade on Ventura County’s 101 freeway, the lane-centering assist fought against driver inputs, causing instability and discomfort.

Safety in the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 included a post-collision braking system, bringing the SUV to a halt post-accident to prevent further injury from secondary collisions. The standard IQ.Drive suite offered an extensive list of advanced driver assistance features, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

Emergency Assist detected driver unresponsiveness, safely stopping the ID.4 while activating hazard lights—a feature not required during testing.

Travel Assist, tested briefly on a Pasadena-area freeway, smoothly handled following distances and lane-centering accurately. More comprehensive testing on diverse roads would be necessary for full evaluation.

The semi-autonomous parking assist system included Memory Parking for repetitive maneuvers. This feature could autonomously execute previously saved parking tasks.

Crash test results from the NHTSA were favorable for the ID.4, though complete IIHS evaluations were pending. Initial rated assessments showed promising performance.