2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Honda CR-V

The 2023 Honda CR-V adopted a more refined and slightly aggressive appearance with its blunt nose, grille, and elongated wheelbase. While it lacked the distinct personality of its predecessor, its conservative styling was expected to age gracefully. The CR-V EX-L featured 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, enhancing its sophisticated look. Inside, the leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob elevated the interior's quality, complemented by a dashboard design inspired by the latest Civic. The CR-V EX-L boasted a larger touchscreen infotainment system, power-adjustable front passenger seat, and front and rear parking sensors, adding to its appeal. Pricing in Canada started at $34,240 for the CR-V LX-B with FWD, with the EX-L AWD priced at $43,390 before fees.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a squared-off rear bumper design for improved aerodynamics. Despite its EV distinction, the ID.4 didn't exhibit a traditional SUV profile, lacking the upright stance and ground clearance typical of SUVs. Based on VW's MEB platform, the ID.4 shared a minimalist interior design with recent VW gasoline models, offering a sense of quality. The base model featured leatherette upholstery with recycled fibre inserts, maintaining a high standard even in lower trims. The ID.4's interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, enhancing functionality.

The 2023 Honda CR-V retained its turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. While the engine offered ample power for a compact SUV, the CVT transmission detracted from the driving experience with its droning noise during acceleration. Despite this, the CR-V excelled in ride and handling, with refined suspension, steering, and brakes. It delivered a smooth and engaging drive, handling various road conditions with ease. The CR-V achieved impressive fuel economy, averaging 8.1 L/100 km on a mountainous route, slightly better than the expected 8.4 L/100 km.

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 variant. The RWD models delivered 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft 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 smaller battery pack reduced curb weight, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD variant rivalled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but lacked the handling prowess. Regenerative braking was present, but VW opted for a more traditional driving experience, avoiding one-pedal driving.

The 2023 Honda CR-V claimed to be the roomiest yet, though the driver's seat felt more car-like than SUV-like. The second row offered more space, resembling a midsize model with ample legroom and thigh support. Storage options were plentiful, with a large centre armrest bin and various trays and bins throughout the cabin. The CR-V's cargo area provided 1,113 litres of space, expandable to 2,166 litres with the rear seats folded. The Hybrid variant offered slightly less cargo space.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, surpassing other affordable EVs in legroom and headroom. It offered 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,818 litres with them folded. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the CR-V in interior space, it was the most practical among entry-level EVs. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models towing up to 1,000 kg and AWD models up to 1,225 kg. Interior changes for 2023 improved functionality, with a conventional centre console lid and better phone storage.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX-L trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, SiriusXM, and an upgraded sound system. While the tech was an improvement over the previous generation, it didn't surpass competitors. The CR-V's safety features were comprehensive but not groundbreaking.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, offering improved responsiveness and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, though it was easily overlooked.

The 2023 Honda CR-V improved its driver-assist systems under the Honda Sensing umbrella, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. New features included a seatbelt reminder, rear-seat reminder, and traffic sign recognition. The CR-V's ACE body structure and new airbag designs enhanced collision protection. The IIHS rated it as a Top Safety Pick+, but NHTSA ratings were pending.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating, with excellent crash test scores and front crash prevention ratings. The ID.4 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New features for 2023 included Park Assist Plus and a 360-degree camera system.