2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Nissan Ariya

The 2023 Nissan Ariya showcased a modern and striking design, standing out among electric vehicles with its smooth, oval shape and minimal use of creases and angles. Its front featured thin LED headlights and a grille area that followed Nissan's "V-Motion" design language, complete with an illuminated emblem. The rear was marked by a thin taillight spanning the width and "NISSAN" lettering, resembling the 2023 Lexus NX. Inside, the Ariya boasted beautiful craftsmanship with minimal hard plastics, dual 12-inch monitors, and ambient lighting inspired by Japanese Kumiko designs. The absence of a transmission tunnel contributed to a spacious and airy interior, although the differing heights of the armrests were a minor discomfort.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 had subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a squared-off rear bumper for improved aerodynamics. While it was distinguishable as an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. The ID.4 was based on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, and shared a minimalist interior design with quality materials. The base model had a manual driver's seat, but the overall feel was not much of a downgrade from higher trims. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fibres was standard, adding to the eco-friendly appeal.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya offered a range of trims with varying power outputs. The base Engage FWD model had a 63-kWh battery and a 160-kW motor, delivering 214 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The Evolve e-4ORCE added a second motor for 335 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. The Venture+ FWD featured an extended-range battery and a 178-kW motor, producing 238 hp. The top-tier Platinum+ e-4ORCE had dual motors, offering 389 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. The Ariya's driving experience was smooth and efficient, with quick steering and well-managed body roll. It offered three drive modes: Eco, Standard, and Sport, with the latter providing a temporary performance boost. The FWD model achieved an average of 5.6 km per kWh, translating to a range of over 350 km.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a new 62-kWh battery for the base RWD model, while the Pro trim retained the 82-kWh pack, available in RWD or AWD. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque, while the dual-motor AWD version offered 295 hp and 339 lb-ft, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery reduced curb weight, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD model rivalled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but lacked the handling prowess. It allowed for coasting in its default regenerative braking setting, with a more aggressive "B" setting available. The ID.4's driving dynamics were comfortable and refined, but it allowed too much body roll on twisty roads.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya benefited from its ground-up EV architecture, offering a spacious interior with ample legroom for both front and rear passengers. However, headroom in the back was slightly compromised by the large moonroof. The Ariya provided 1,670 litres of cargo space behind the front seats, comparable to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It featured a powered bin under the centre stack, controlled by a haptic button, and a power-adjustable centre console. The console's buttons required some pressure to operate, but this issue was resolved in the production model.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with generous legroom and headroom. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded, surpassing most entry-level EVs. The ID.4 also had a towing capacity of 1,000 kg for RWD models and 1,225 kg for AWD models. VW made interior improvements for 2023, including a conventional lid for the centre console and a better phone storage spot. Three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was also available.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya featured dual 12-inch displays for driver information and infotainment, with crisp and bright screens. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, while Android Auto required a wired connection. Most trims included a head-up display, and the Ariya offered Alexa compatibility for smart home integration. The infotainment system was user-friendly and modern, enhancing the tech-forward appeal of the Ariya.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, featuring software updates for improved responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were 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 intuitive than traditional buttons. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation cues, adding a unique touch to the driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya included ProPilot Assist, an advanced driver assistance system, along with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a driver-attention monitor, and traffic-sign recognition. However, it had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or 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 received the IIHS's "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with high scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, 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.