2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport shared a striking resemblance with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the front, due to their shared vehicle platform. This design choice gave the Passport a more rugged and assertive appearance, which was further emphasized by the new nose styling. The Passport was available in three trims: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring, each featuring new wheel designs. The TrailSport trim, in particular, was introduced to appeal to those interested in off-road adventures, although its enhancements were more aesthetic than functional. The interior of the Passport was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful assembly, and the TrailSport added unique touches like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more aerodynamic rear bumper design. The ID.4, based on VW’s MEB platform, was distinctively an EV but lacked the traditional SUV profile, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, it offered a minimalist and quality interior, with leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibres. The ID.4's design was more about practicality and efficiency, with a focus on providing a comfortable and refined driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The V6 was praised for its smooth performance and strong acceleration, with a combined fuel consumption rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing its capability on twisty roads and moderate off-road trails. However, the Passport's brakes were a concern, especially on mountain descents, where they tended to vibrate under load.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a choice between a 62-kWh battery pack for the base RWD model and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro, available in RWD or AWD. The RWD models delivered 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD version increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The ID.4's handling was comfortable but allowed for noticeable body roll, and its regenerative braking system did not support one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV enthusiasts.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The interior featured comfortable seats with leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel as standard. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim included ventilated front seats. The Passport provided ample storage space, with a massive centre console and generous cargo capacity of 1,430 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,854 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 boasted more interior space than many affordable EVs, with superior legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. It offered 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4 also provided some towing capability, with a capacity of 1,000 kilograms for RWD models and 1,225 kg for AWD models. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim included a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. However, the system's navigation was clunky, and users often preferred using Apple CarPlay for navigation. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base Sport trim.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, offering improved responsiveness and retaining wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition, although the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less intuitive. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation cues, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Passport was equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist, were less refined and could be distracting. The Passport received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings, except for an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023 version, earned the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ rating. The ID.4 came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus and a 360-degree camera system.