2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design was unmistakably BMW, from the iconic kidney grille to its body shape, ensuring it stood out as a luxury SUV. However, this familiarity also meant it could blend in with other BMWs in a crowded parking lot. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. The M Sport models added a sporty flair with body-coloured trims and unique styling elements. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it was criticized for its abundance of black plastic. The M Sport models offered additional aggressive styling cues, including an M sports steering wheel and exclusive interior trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, giving it a unique stance. The ID.4 was part of VW's EV-specific MEB platform and was brought to North America as a crossover, a strategic move given the market's preference for such vehicles. While it didn't resemble a traditional SUV, it shared this trait with other EV crossovers. The interior of the ID.4 combined Volkswagen's minimalism with a tech-forward aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. The base model came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with leatherette upholstery available as an upgrade. Despite its modern design, the ID.4's interior was criticized for its lack of rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered up to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering dynamics were criticized, particularly at higher speeds, where it lacked the connected drive experience typical of BMW. The SUV's suspension provided a smooth ride, and its cabin was well-insulated from road and engine noise. Charging the xDrive45e was convenient, with a five-hour charge time on a Level 2 charger and a total driving range of about 600 kilometres.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was available in two powertrain configurations. The base rear-wheel drive version featured a single rear-mounted electric motor, producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An all-wheel-drive version added a second electric motor, increasing total power output to 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, though it was tuned more for comfort than sportiness, with noticeable body roll in corners but a smooth ride over bumps. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking, opting for a more traditional driving experience with friction brakes. This decision was aimed at providing a familiar feel for drivers transitioning from gasoline cars, though it might disappoint EV enthusiasts seeking one-pedal driving.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The centre console, however, was cluttered with buttons and dials that were difficult to differentiate at night. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats became hard on longer journeys. The rear seats were suitable for children and two adults, with an optional third row available. The X5's split liftgate was easy to operate, and the vehicle height adjustment feature was useful for loading cargo. Without the third row, the cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space due to its battery. The rear doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than its EV competitors, though legroom was average for the segment. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,818 litres with them folded, more than some EVs but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a "frunk," prioritizing cabin space instead. The interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but poor rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the centre console, though the console itself was narrow. Standard heated steering wheel and front seats efficiently maintained cabin heat during cold weather, though the driver's seat lacked thigh support.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, Apple CarPlay had connectivity issues, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. The standard features included a digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, ventilated and massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, premium audio systems, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimatization but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 12-inch screen available as an option. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced most switchgear. While visually appealing, the touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback, requiring drivers to relearn simple tasks. The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system, allowing drivers to bypass the haptic controls, though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield, communicated information to the driver but was easily forgotten after the initial novelty wore off. Despite some gimmicky features, the ID.4's infotainment system was well-designed, with a well-positioned touchscreen and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety and driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package, which included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, had issues with reacting to stopped traffic and lane-keeping, particularly in sunny or rainy conditions. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with points docked for certain headlights. The NHTSA awarded the RWD versions a five-star safety rating, though AWD versions had not been tested. The ID.4 offered a range of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New standard features included Travel Assist, which added automated lane centring to adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to stop the car if the driver is incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.