2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint colour and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Grey with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, added to the vehicle's sophisticated appeal. The Range Rover Sport was available in various specifications, including Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. The test vehicle, a U.S.-spec Dynamic SE, featured heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other upgrades, pushing the MSRP beyond $120,000. Notable design elements included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its aerodynamic profile with a drag coefficient of 0.29. The interior boasted a luxurious, high-tech appearance, with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery.

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. New wheel designs and colours, along with a rear VW logo that lit up, were introduced. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV compared to VW's gasoline models, it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, this was a common trait among many electric vehicles. Built on VW's MEB platform, the ID.4 shared modularity with other models, and the upcoming ID.Buzz electric van was set to join the lineup in 2024. The interior retained the minimalist design and quality feel of recent VW gasoline cars, with leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibres. The base model, despite having a manual driver's seat, didn't feel like a significant downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro AWD. The ID.4's interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, along with three-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. The challenge lay in creating a vehicle that excelled both off-road and on winding roads. The Range Rover Sport featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography model, offering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The sold-out SV Edition One boasted a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine. A fully electric version was expected in 2024. The test vehicle's 395-hp engine provided ample power, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, with a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was better than expected, averaging 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The Range Rover Sport's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it didn't match the sportiness of similarly priced SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with impressive ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a 90 cm wading depth. Standard off-road tech included Terrain Response, All Terrain Progress Control, and hill start and descent control.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model with RWD, while the Pro model retained the 82-kWh pack with RWD or AWD options. The single electric motor RWD models delivered 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD version rivalled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but lacked the handling prowess. It provided a comfortable and refined ride, though body roll limited its entertainment on twisty roads. The ID.4 used regenerative braking but didn't offer one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV enthusiasts. Instead, it provided a more familiar experience for first-time EV drivers.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could be programmed to kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. A massage feature, soft-closing doors, and a heated steering wheel were available. The rear seat, though improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle. Rear occupants had manual sunshades, air conditioning vents, and power ports. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire limited storage under the cargo floor, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the Kia Niro EV. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded, surpassing most entry-level EVs. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in interior space, it was the most practical SUV among affordable EVs. The ID.4 offered towing capabilities, with RWD models towing up to 1,000 kilograms and AWD models up to 1,225 kilograms. Interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, along with three-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. While the screens were generally intuitive, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating. The automatic driver exit assist feature was difficult to disable, and the native digital assistant struggled with simple tasks like finding a Starbucks. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems with up to 29 speakers and 1,430 watts of power, along with Active Noise Cancellation. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included but challenging to access.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining standard. The user experience was enhanced by sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, lacking physical feedback. The ID.4's voice recognition made these controls redundant in most situations. The ID.Light system, part ambient lighting and part AI assistant, provided visual cues for navigation but was easily overlooked.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View. Wade Sensing was standard for off-road water crossings. Remote Park Assist allowed the SUV to park itself via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control with steering assist was slow to respond and not as smooth as expected. The steering assist struggled on highway curves and with poorly marked lanes.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. Emergency Assist 3.0 and Park Assist Plus were also standard, along with a 360-degree camera system.