2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2023 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2022 Toyota Highlander presented a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window that gave the impression of a smaller vehicle. However, once inside, the Highlander offered a spacious cabin with clever storage solutions for items like iPads and juice boxes. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, contrasting with a sedate navy blue exterior. This trim also featured unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and a sport-tuned suspension, adding a touch of sportiness to the Highlander's overall appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including a gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design to improve aerodynamics. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. The interior maintained a minimalist design with a quality feel, and the base model offered leatherette upholstery with recycled fibre inserts. The ID.4's interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, enhancing functionality.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This power was routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard all-wheel drive, with no front-wheel drive option available in Canada. The Highlander offered a drive-mode button with Sport, Normal, and Eco modes, as well as an AWD system with Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes. The V6 engine provided better pickup once the vehicle was moving, with ample power for highway overtakes and a throaty exhaust note. The Highlander could tow up to 2,268 kilograms and had a max payload of 775 kilograms.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model with rear-wheel drive, while the Pro model retained the 82-kWh pack with options for rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The single electric motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The ID.4's smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, improving acceleration and handling. However, the ID.4's handling was not as sharp as its acceleration, allowing for some body roll on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system offered a more familiar experience for EV newcomers, with coasting in the default regen setting and a more aggressive "B" setting.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander provided up to 2,387 litres of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded, 1,370 litres with the second-row seats in use, and 453 litres with all seats deployed. The vehicle featured quick-release latches for easy seat folding and pull-straps for lifting the third-row seats. The XSE trim included second-row captain’s chairs, offering a centre aisle to the rear seats and additional space between occupants. While the second-row seats were spacious for adults, the third row was only suitable for short trips.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded. It provided more legroom and headroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. The ID.4's towing capacity was 1,000 kilograms for RWD models and 1,225 kilograms for AWD models, offering some capability for SUV buyers. Interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, along with three-zone climate control and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system featured a straightforward layout with hard buttons for ease of use. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and a combination of USB and USB-C ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system were available options.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 made the 12.0-inch touchscreen standard on all models, with software updates to improve responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard, along with the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system offered sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less user-friendly, lacking physical feedback. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation cues, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags. The Highlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

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, received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.