2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh, with its blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield. The cabin was positioned towards the rear wheels, maintaining the subtle allure that Mazda vehicles have been known for over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a rugged aesthetic with its pronounced fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates, which were common among crossovers mimicking SUVs. The oversized air intakes and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually overwhelming. When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels, these elements created an appealing exterior. Later in the year, the CX-50 Meridian Edition was introduced, featuring exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform suitable for a rooftop tent.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design aimed at improving aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colours were introduced, and the rear VW logo was illuminated. 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. The ID.4 was built on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, and shared interior qualities with recent VW gasoline models, offering a minimalist design and a sense of quality. The base model featured leatherette upholstery with recycled fibre inserts, maintaining a high standard across the lineup.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The base GT model featured a 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It delivered fuel consumption figures of 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 8.9 combined. For those seeking more power, the GT Turbo trim provided a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel type. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm on regular gas to 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm on premium fuel. The turbo engine offered smooth acceleration and a broad power curve, with minimal turbo lag. The CX-50's Mi-Drive system included Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, working with G-Vectoring Control to ensure consistent vehicle behaviour. The CX-50's ride quality was slightly firmer than the CX-5, and it demonstrated some torque steer during tight turns. With a ground clearance of up to 21.8 cm, it was capable of handling off-road situations, although it lacked a downhill assist control system.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a choice between a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model with RWD and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro model, available with RWD or AWD. The single electric motor RWD models produced 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain 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 by 109 kg, 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, although it allowed too much body roll on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system offered a coasting mode and a more aggressive "B" setting, but it did not support one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV enthusiasts.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo was equipped for winter with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were also included. The driver's seat and front passenger's seat were comfortable for long journeys, though they could have used more side bolstering. The back seat was spacious enough for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports available on most trims. The rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, facilitating easy entry and exit. Cargo space was 889 litres with the rear seats up and 1,595 litres with them folded, offering a long load floor but narrow space between the wheel wells.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom and headroom. It offered 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 terms of interior space, it was the most practical SUV among affordable EVs. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with a capacity of 1,000 kg for RWD models and 1,225 kg for AWD models. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console, a better phone slot, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. In Canada, it came with a 10.25-inch display as standard. Historically, Mazda Connect did not offer touchscreen control, relying on centre console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, for 2023, Mazda introduced touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. An Active Driving Display, or head-up display, projected data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

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, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The user interface featured sharp graphics and a choice of smartphone-like icons or a split-screen view. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which replaced conventional buttons, lacked physical feedback and were distracting. The ID.Light system, part ambient lighting and part AI assistant, changed colours based on drive mode and provided navigation cues.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, falling short of the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to some headlight configurations and less-than-stellar results in night-time pedestrian collision avoidance and the updated side crash test. The NHTSA had not rated the CX-50 at the time of writing. Mazda offered a comprehensive standard package of driving assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, front and rear parking sensors, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The driving assistance systems generally worked well, although the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in.

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 crash tests. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023 version, received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 came with a robust set of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. For 2023, it added Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.