2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the classic Bronco, capturing its rugged spirit in a more compact, urban-friendly package. It featured a modern retro design that echoed the Land Rover aesthetic, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The vehicle's tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides were crafted for trail driving, minimizing the risk of snagging on obstacles. The Bronco Sport's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a subtle "SPORT" postscript, tied it visually to its larger sibling. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet refined interior, with a focus on practicality and comfort. The cabin featured a unique design for the HVAC vents, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, with options ranging from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats, and a choice between rubberized or carpeted flooring.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcased a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, eschewing the traditional SUV styling for a more futuristic appearance. The ID.4 was part of VW's EV-specific MEB platform, following the ID.3 hatchback. Its interior combined Volkswagen's minimalist design with a smartphone-inspired aesthetic, using piano black and matte plastic materials. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with leatherette upholstery available in the Statement Package. The ID.4's interior was spacious, offering more front headroom than some gasoline competitors, though rear headroom and legroom were average. The cargo space was generous, with 858 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. Despite lacking a "frunk," the ID.4's cabin felt roomy, with good forward visibility but limited rearward visibility due to thick pillars.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model boasted a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It featured a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road prowess. On-road, the Bronco Sport was a capable commuter, though the 1.5-litre engine could feel strained under pressure, making the 2.0-litre engine a better match for the vehicle's character.

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 motor for a total output of 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4's rear-wheel drive setup provided balanced handling, though it was tuned more for comfort than sportiness. The electric motor offered ample power, with instantaneous torque making acceleration enjoyable. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not emphasize regenerative braking, opting for a more traditional driving experience. This decision aimed to provide a familiar feel for drivers transitioning from gasoline vehicles, though it might disappoint EV enthusiasts.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its versatile cargo space, designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered a range of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the vehicle's towing capacity varied between 907 and 997 kilograms, depending on the engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and 400-watt inverter. The front cabin provided ample storage, though visibility could be challenging for taller drivers due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front headroom than some gasoline competitors, though rear headroom and legroom were average. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4 lacked a "frunk," but the cabin felt spacious, with good forward visibility. The interior featured a unique twist-grip gear selector, freeing up space on the centre console, though storage was limited. VW included heated steering wheel and front seats as standard, addressing the challenge of maintaining cabin heat in EVs. The seats were comfortable, though the driver's seat lacked thigh support.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, adjusting steering, transmission, and throttle response for various conditions. Trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on most trims, along with a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced traditional controls. While visually appealing, the touchpads were challenging to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system, responding to prompts like "Hello ID." The ID.Light feature added a Tron-like vibe, communicating information through colour changes. The touchscreen was well-positioned, with intuitive graphics and menus, offering a choice between smartphone-like icons or a split-screen setup.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and navigation. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control and electronic stability control. The Bronco Sport received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA for RWD versions. It offered driver aids like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. New features included Travel Assist, adding automated lane centring, and Emergency Assist, stopping the car if the driver is incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding to acceleration and deceleration.