Toyota RAV4 vs Volkswagen ID.4

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 tried hard to present a rugged and tough exterior. With a scowling front and an overall angry demeanor, it appeared aggressive, even if it didn’t possess the matching performance. The lower gray body cladding added angularity, while dual exhaust outlets hinted at performance that wasn't there. Higher trims came with faux front and rear skid plates, and off-road-themed models boasted more utilitarian roof racks.

The TRD Off-Road was the top-tier model we tested, priced at $38,295 plus a $1,350 destination charge. The Army Green color wasn’t a favorite but came at no extra cost. Our vehicle included a digital rearview mirror and the Advanced Technology and Weather packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,925.

Buyers didn't have to spend that much for a RAV4, though. Prices ranged from $28,675 for the base LE to $38,295 for the TRD Off-Road. Hybrids were slightly more expensive but offered better power and fuel efficiency. Notably, higher budgets meant nicer interiors. The RAV4’s cabin was utilitarian, featuring a full-width shelf across the dashboard, rugged door handles, easy-clean surfaces, and rubber-lined storage areas. Upscale interiors with contrasting colors were available in the XLE Premium and Limited trims.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 exhibited a more conservative design. Its timeless look aged well, deviating from dramatic aesthetics. AWD versions sported 20-inch wheels, while the S Plus trim had 21-inch designs.

The ID.4 lineup included two models: ID.4 and ID.4 Pro. The ID.4 had a 62-kWh battery, whereas the ID.4 Pro had an 82-kWh battery. The trims were base, S, and S Plus, with Pro models available with AWD. Prices started from $39,735 to $57,055 plus a $1,425 destination charge.

The 2024 ID.4 offered a $7,500 federal tax credit and 500 kWh of free DC fast charging at Electrify America stations, plus a complimentary three-year EA Pass+ membership.

The ID.4 we drove, the Pro S, had the larger battery and mid-level trim with RWD, bringing the price to $51,815 before the credit.

Volkswagen updated the interior options, offering Cosmic Black or Galaxy artificial leather upholstery in the S and S Plus trims. The standard models had Nutmeg/Brown and Stone/Black fabric with artificial leather bolsters.

Significant changes included a new transmission shift stalk, revised steering wheel controls, and available ventilated front seats. A new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system improved user experience.

Where the ID.4 appeared subdued, it compensated with practicality and elegance, offering a more traditional but refined look compared to the RAV4’s rugged approach.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. Achieving peak power required revving the engine hard. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels or a torque-vectoring AWD system if chosen. The TRD Off-Road model featured AWD, exclusive off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires on 18-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels.

The TRD Off-Road included Multi-Terrain Select with Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt modes. However, it shared the same 8.6 inches of ground clearance with other RAV4 models and lacked improved approach or departure angles.

Tested through Southern California’s muddy terrains and gravel roads, the TRD Off-Road scraped its lower front fascia, showing its limitations compared to a Toyota 4Runner. Nevertheless, it excelled on regular roads, handling speed humps and bumps well, with good steering and brakes. Despite being noisy at freeway speeds, the RAV4's engine felt powerful but unrefined, with the excellent eight-speed automatic smoothing rough edges.

The TRD Off-Road's EPA rating was 28 mpg combined, but it averaged 26.6 mpg during tests, behind the more efficient RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition rated at 37 mpg.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, with its new rear electric drive motor in the single-motor Pro models, delivered 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. This was 1.3 seconds quicker than the 2023 model. The 62-kWh models retained the older motor with 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.

The AWD ID.4 Pro added a front motor, bringing the total to 335 hp and 402 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The 2024 ID.4 Pro models offered better driving ranges: 291 miles for RWD and 263 miles for AWD, while standard 62-kWh models offered about 206 miles.

Compatible with 11-kW Level 2 home charging stations, the 62-kWh battery recharged in 6.25 hours, and the 82-kWh battery in eight hours. At DC fast chargers, the 62-kWh and 82-kWh batteries could recharge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.

During a media event, we drove an ID.4 Pro S with RWD around Pasadena, California. It had an observed efficiency rate of 28.6 kWh/100 miles, better than the EPA rating. The ID.4 excelled in acceleration, merging onto freeways, and handling twisty mountain roads with firm but comfortable city rides.

The brake pedal felt natural, especially with regenerative braking active, although it wasn’t a full one-pedal driving system, which was fine for practical use.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4’s interior was built for practicality and utility. It featured storage shelves, trays, bins, oversized rubberized control knobs, and SofTex artificial leather upholstery in the TRD Off-Road trim. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers available via the Weather package. The cabin accommodated four adults comfortably and five when necessary. Despite a low and unsupported rear seat, the overall space was decent with good outward visibility.

The RAV4’s cargo area offered 37.6 cubic feet, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with seats folded. These measurements were competitive in the segment.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4’s interior updates aimed at better usability and comfort. The transmission selector moved to a right-side stalk, wiper controls to the left, and lighting controls to a touch-sensing pad. Minor modifications to the steering wheel controls aimed to prevent unintentional activations.

In Pro models, a new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system improved layout and usability. Ventilated front seats in higher trims added comfort, essential for hot climates.

Front seats were comfortable with excellent outward views, while the rear seats offered ample legroom, footroom, and air conditioning vents, USB-C ports, and a center armrest with cupholders. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat accommodated longer items.

The ID.4’s cargo capacity was slightly smaller than the RAV4, with 30.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet when folded. It lacked a front trunk (frunk).

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system with standard 8-inch and available 10.5-inch touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and various connected services plans. Service Connect and Safety Connect were free for ten years, while Remote Connect and Drive Connect were complimentary for one year. Wi-Fi Connect transformed the SUV into an internet hotspot with a three-month data plan.

Complaints included the lack of a multi-panel Home screen, challenges exiting Apple CarPlay, and difficult-to-read font. The digital voice assistant worked well, though volume issues persisted, and navigation inaccuracies were noted. A JBL premium audio system was optional.

The digital rear-view mirror provided a clear view when the RAV4 was packed, while the panoramic surround-view camera with perimeter scanning was notably absent in our test vehicle, which could have prevented damage during testing.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4’s major update was the new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system in Pro models. It improved user experience with a home screen, quick access tiles, and always-visible climate controls with illuminated sliders for volume and temperature.

The standard navigation included battery preconditioning for efficient DC fast-charging sessions. The nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system was exclusive to S Plus trim.

The native infotainment environment was user-friendly, easily paired with wireless Apple CarPlay. The voice assistant, Ida, had mixed results, succeeding with some tasks but failing at others. The ID.4 included complimentary access to Plus Nav and Plus Speech for three years, and two Car-Net connected service plans for five years—Remote Access and Safe & Secure. Additionally, it could be a Wi-Fi hotspot with an optional Plus Online Radio Package.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). However, the base LE trim lacked a crucial blind-spot monitoring system. TSS 2.5 worked adequately but struggled with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering on curvy roads, performing better on straight highways and moderate traffic.

Unfortunately, the RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, scoring Marginal in the small overlap frontal-impact test and Acceptable in the side-impact test. These results indicated the SUV’s outdated design needing an update.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 included a post-collision braking system and the IQ.Drive suite of ADAS, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Emergency Assist could detect unresponsive drivers and safely stop the vehicle.

Travel Assist managed following distances and handled lane-centering accurately on straight roads, though more testing was required for a full evaluation. The ID.4 also featured a semi-autonomous parking assist system with Memory Parking for repetitive maneuvers.

NHTSA gave the ID.4 favorable ratings, while IIHS evaluations were incomplete but promising in tested areas.