2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. This gave the vehicle a striking front appearance, while maintaining a balanced and appealing design from the front wheels to the rear bumper. In Canada, the Outlander was available in several trims, all featuring standard all-wheel drive and a range of luxurious interior options, such as premium semi-aniline leather and a head-up display. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black accents and aluminum touches, although some plastics reminded drivers of its compact crossover status.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 made subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a squared-off rear bumper for improved aerodynamics. The ID.4, based on VW’s MEB platform, was easily distinguishable as an EV but lacked the traditional SUV profile, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. The interior carried over the quality and minimalist design from VW’s gasoline models, with leatherette upholstery and recycled fibres. The ID.4 offered a spacious interior, more so than many other affordable EVs, and included practical features like a conventional centre console lid and three-zone climate control.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. Despite the promise of various driving modes, the Outlander struggled with power delivery, especially at higher speeds or during overtaking. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm, leading to a less than comfortable ride on imperfect roads. The Outlander returned a fuel consumption of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than the official rating.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a choice between a 62-kWh battery pack for the base model and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro model, with powertrains carrying over from previous models. The single-motor RWD models delivered 201 horsepower, while the dual-motor AWD version offered 295 horsepower, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The ID.4 provided a comfortable and refined ride, although it allowed too much body roll on twisty roads. Regenerative braking was present but did not support one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV enthusiasts.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, intuitive controls, and impressive digital displays. However, the centre console lacked storage space, and the third-row seat was cramped, suitable only for children. Cargo capacity was limited with the third row in use but expanded significantly when folded down.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than many affordable EVs, with ample legroom and headroom. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4 also offered some towing capability, with a capacity of up to 1,225 kilograms for AWD models. Interior changes for 2023 improved functionality, with a better centre console design and additional climate control options.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The GT Premium trim included a 10-speaker Bose audio system, although voice recognition technology could be improved.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less user-friendly. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, although it was easy to overlook during normal driving.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It included a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, although the steering assistance could be intrusive.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in crash tests. It offered a robust set of standard driver-assist features, including new cyclist detection and automated parking for 2023. The ID.4 also included VW’s Travel Assist 2.0 and Emergency Assist 3.0 for enhanced safety.