2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while introducing a more characterful appearance. The XC90 retained Volvo's signature boxy profile and rectangular grille but softened its lines and added chrome accents, creating a more refined look. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive feature that blended seamlessly with the overall design. The Inscription trim level, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism, featuring high-quality materials and a thoughtfully arranged interior. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery added a touch of elegance, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a high-end touch.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. The ID.4 featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of traditional crossovers. Based on VW's EV-specific MEB platform, the ID.4 followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback, offering a more crossover-like appearance. However, its styling didn't quite convey the SUV image, similar to other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric. Inside, the ID.4 combined Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. The interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility, but rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars. The ID.4's interior design prioritized cabin space over a "frunk," and while it offered a comfortable ride, the driver's seat lacked thigh support.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options, all centred around a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, all XC90 models came with all-wheel drive as standard. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide the flexibility of larger engines found in competitor SUVs. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. It also had a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

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 for a total output of 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4's rear-wheel-drive setup provided balanced handling, but the vehicle was tuned for comfort rather than sporty performance. The electric motor delivered ample power, and the ID.4 offered a smooth ride over bumps. Unlike many electric cars, the ID.4 didn't emphasize regenerative braking, opting for a more traditional driving experience. This decision aimed to provide a familiar feel for drivers transitioning from gasoline vehicles.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was a three-row SUV available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, depending on the choice of second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The optional power sunroof and upright roof profile contributed to a spacious feel. The XC90 offered standard four-zone climate control with an optional filtration system. Up front, the Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but a power-adjustable steering wheel was not available. Cargo space was limited, with 317 litres with all seats in place, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt like a crossover compared to other EVs, offering more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, although legroom was average. The ID.4 provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded. While it lacked a "frunk," the interior felt spacious, and forward visibility was good. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the centre console. However, the console was narrow, limiting storage options. The ID.4 included standard heated steering wheel and front seats, which proved effective during cold weather testing. The seats offered good cushioning, but the driver's seat lacked thigh support.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The touchscreen was easy to use, with a portrait orientation that allowed for intuitive navigation. However, the amount of text and typeface made reading menus difficult while driving. The XC90 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display as options. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4's standard infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen, with a 12-inch screen available as an option. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster. The ID.4 used haptic touchpads instead of traditional switchgear, which proved challenging to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The control setup required drivers to relearn simple tasks, and the natural-language voice-control system, while useful, was slow to respond. The ID.4 also introduced ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. While some features felt gimmicky, the touchscreen was well-positioned, with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. It also received a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing and an "Advanced" rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded all XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with points docked for certain headlights. The NHTSA gave RWD versions a five-star safety rating, while 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. It also introduced 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 to acceleration and deceleration.