Volkswagen ID.4 vs Toyota 4Runner

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner reflected a distinctive style that sparked debate among car enthusiasts. Some critics saw it as classic, evoking a sense of rugged tradition, while others deemed it outright outdated. The 4Runner had its last major redesign in 2010, and despite undergoing minor refreshes, the exterior design was screaming for a serious update. Yet, it maintained a boxy shape synonymous with all-terrain vehicles, fitting its rugged personality.

The SUV’s flared fenders provided a brawny stance, suggesting stability that was crucial for off-road explorations. Its front grille and liftgate featured chunky, beveled shapes, contributing to its tough demeanor. In the highest trim—the TRD Pro—the underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires took the ruggedness up a notch. The robust tubular roof rack accentuated its go-anywhere attitude.

Inside, the 4Runner’s age was even more apparent. The styling seemed old-school, and the technology felt antiquated with a straightforward analog instrument panel, small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, and traditional gear selector levers. While this might appeal to drivers nostalgic for yesteryears, younger demographics could mistake it for a spruced-up used vehicle. The interior materials leaned heavily on hard plastics, albeit with cushioned panels on high-contact areas to add some comfort. The seat upholstery imitated leather but looked closer to vinyl, a common trait among off-road SUVs for ease of maintenance.

The exterior and interior designs notably relied on nostalgia, paralleling the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, but these competitors managed to infuse more modern touches within a vintage framework. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen ID.4 aimed for a more timeless and conservative look that catered to a different audience.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 embraced a conservative yet elegant design ethos typical of VW. It avoided dramatic styling, which contributed to a look that aged gracefully. For the 2024 model year, all-wheel drive (AWD) versions sported standard 20-inch wheels, while the S Plus trim stood out with 21-inch designs.

Volkswagen offered two primary ID.4 models: the ID.4 and the ID.4 Pro, distinguished by their battery capacities—62 kWh for the ID.4 and 82 kWh for the Pro. Three trim levels—base, S, and S Plus—further differentiated the lineup, which could be enhanced with AWD in the Pro models. Prices spanned from $39,735 for the entry-level trim to $57,055 for the high-end.

For 2024, VW equipped all ID.4 models with several standard features, including a full $7,500 federal tax credit for vehicles using batteries sourced from SK On, and 500 kWh of free DC fast charging at Electrify America stations. The Pro S models like the one tested featured a larger battery pack, artificial leather upholstery in new color options, and several changes designed for enhanced user comfort and convenience.

The ID.4 took an interior leap from its cosmic design, offering Cosmic Black or Galaxy color schemes for the artificial leather upholstery, moving the transmission selector to a stalk beside the steering wheel, and introducing ventilated front seats and an upgraded infotainment system. The larger 12.9-inch touchscreen improved user operability, making it an intuitive companion over the older system. Small quirks, like dual-function power window controls, remained, but the ID.4's design and features placed it favorably against its competitors.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner housed a 4.0-liter V6 engine under its hood, generating 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. These figures weren’t far behind rivals like the Bronco or Wrangler, but the 4Runner’s performance suffered due to its five-speed automatic transmission compared to the Bronco’s ten-speed and the Wrangler’s eight-speed. This limitation was apparent during highway driving, where the 4Runner felt sluggish, often requiring a heavy foot on the accelerator. The TRD Pro variant came with standard four-wheel drive (4WD) and a two-speed transfer case, while most other trims offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) with 4WD as an option.

Off-road, the 4Runner’s perceived lack of power wasn’t a significant drawback. However, it struggled on pavement, where the soft suspension compromised handling and stabilization. This softness, ideal for off-roading, caused the vehicle to nosedive under hard braking and sway excessively around corners. Passengers often felt residual bounces and overall floatiness over uneven road surfaces, particularly when the SUV wasn’t loaded with gear.

The Volkswagen ID.4, conversely, showcased the benefits of electric propulsion. For 2024, the ID.4 Pro's rear electric motor provided 282 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 5.9 seconds—1.3 seconds quicker than the previous model. The standard 62 kWh variant offered 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. The AWD option added an additional electric motor at the front, enhancing the total power to 335 hp and enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.9 seconds.

In terms of range, the ID.4 Pro achieved 291 miles on a full charge with RWD and 263 miles with AWD. The standard models provided a 206-mile range. Charging capabilities were robust, with all models supporting 11 kW Level 2 home charging stations and accepting high-speed DC fast charging—up to 175 kW for the 82-kWh battery.

During a brief test drive around Pasadena, California, the ID.4 Pro S showed commendable efficiency and a smooth driving experience. The acceleration was notably better, making freeway merging and mountain driving seamless. Though road noise was a bit higher at increased speeds, the overall performance of the ID.4 was competent, balancing between city and highway driving with a comfortable and firm ride.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner’s interior design was functional, though outdated. The straightforward layout with large climate control dials and reliable handles made it utilitarian, particularly for off-road driving. Visibility was excellent, thanks to the expansive view offered by the forward-pushed front roof pillars.

The front seats had ample space for larger passengers, although the steering wheel's limited telescoping range was a drawback for taller drivers. The second-row seats provided generous legroom, though headroom was constrained for taller occupants. The elevated rear bench allowed better outward visibility, and a third-row seat option added versatility.

The 4Runner excelled in storage options, with numerous pockets and cupholders strategically placed for convenience. Cargo capacity was substantial, boasting up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats. This extended to 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats stowed, though seat folding required manual intervention. The almost-flat load floor was beneficial compared to competitors like the Bronco, and the innovative sliding glass rear window was a unique feature. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, further enhancing its utility.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4's interior benefited from notable improvements. The transmission selector and wiper controls relocated for better ergonomic access, and the lighting controls now sat on a touch-sensing dashboard pad. Though the touch-sensing controls had their quirks, the new 12.9-inch touchscreen improved usability, and illuminated sliders at night added convenience.

The ID.4’s interior comfort saw enhancements, with ventilated front seats in Pro S and Pro S Plus models. Standard features like heated front seats, mirrors, and washer nozzles, accompanied by the option of a heated windshield and rear seats, made it well-equipped for varying climates. The rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom and thoughtfully designed seat positioning with good thigh support and backrest angles.

Practicality was still strong in the ID.4, with a 60/40-split back seat offering a center pass-through for transporting longer items. Cargo capacity peaked at 30.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with seats folded. Unlike the 4Runner, the ID.4 lacked a front trunk, but the rear space was efficiently configured for everyday needs.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner delivered basic infotainment with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. However, the small eight-inch touchscreen and the absence of off-road specific apps or gauges felt limiting. In the TRD Pro model, a standard 15-speaker JBL premium audio system provided clear sound quality, albeit hindered by road and engine noise during drives.

Additional off-road controls situated in the headliner console were marked with pictograms, which made mastering their functionality challenging without consulting the owner’s manual. The Crawl Control system and Multi-Terrain Select system added practicality for off-road ventures, providing customized terrain management.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 featured significant technological upgrades, particularly with the 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system in Pro models. The new layout, dedicated climate controls, and illuminated sliders enhanced user experience. The infotainment system included a navigation feature that preconditions the battery for DC fast charging during long trips, and wireless Apple CarPlay and customizable user environments were intuitive.

A nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system became available in the S Plus trim. Volkswagen incorporated gesture control into the system, adding a modern touch. The Plus Nav and Plus Speech features, along with a five-year subscription to Car-Net connected services, including remote access and safety notifications, offered an advanced technological edge. However, the digital voice assistant had mixed success with specific commands, underscoring the need for further enhancements.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner earned mixed safety ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it four out of five stars overall, with similar scores for frontal and side impacts, but a lower three-star rating in rollover evaluations. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a "Good" rating for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, though it received "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in the more recent small overlap frontal test.

Despite its less favorable scores compared to the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, the 4Runner was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims like the TRD Pro and Limited offered a surround-view camera system, with the Limited adding front and rear parking sensors. Note that the sensitivity of some alerts might overwhelm drivers in high-traffic conditions.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 boasted standard advanced driver assistance systems through Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive. It included features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, the latter of which could autonomously stop the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. In a brief freeway test, Travel Assist effectively managed following distances and lane-centering.

Volkswagen's semi-autonomous parking assist system featured Memory Parking, allowing the ID.4 to save and execute precise parking maneuvers. In crash tests, the ID.4 received favorable ratings from NHTSA, though IIHS evaluations were still incomplete. Its performance in the rated assessments highlighted its strong safety credentials.