2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Volkswagen made subtle styling changes to the 2023 ID.4, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design aimed at improving aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now lights up. Despite these updates, the ID.4 didn’t look particularly SUV-like, lacking the upright profile and ground clearance typical of traditional SUVs. This could be a drawback for buyers attracted to those features, although it’s a common issue among many current electric vehicles.

The ID.4 was built on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, offering modularity to support various models. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, featuring a minimalist design and a sense of quality. Even the base ID.4 Standard model, with its manual driver’s seat, didn’t feel like a significant downgrade from higher-level trims. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts was standard for 2023, enhancing the eco-friendly appeal.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E retained its distinctive and sharp styling, with an aggressive front fascia, a sloping profile, and the iconic tri-bar tail lights. The lamps were refreshed to match the signature lighting of the seventh-generation Ford Mustang. The new Rally trim, which replaced the GT as the top-of-the-line model, featured unique styling cues like LED fog lamps, a black roof, and Oxford White 19-inch wheels. The GT trim received 20-inch wheels with various finish options, including a new Bronze Appearance Package.

Inside, the Mach-E’s minimalist dash featured a large touchscreen and Ford Performance front seats with heavier bolstering. The GT and Rally trims included these seats, with the Rally trim adding Oxford White plastic trim for a futuristic look. The Mach-E’s interior space was impressive, with a total of 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a drainable frunk. The driver and front passenger enjoyed ample headroom and legroom, with even more space available with the panoramic glass roof.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus trims retained the 82-kWh pack, available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models delivered 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling.

The ID.4’s AWD version had acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks like the VW Golf GTI but lacked the handling finesse. It was comfortable and refined but allowed too much body roll on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system didn’t support one-pedal driving, which might disappoint some EV enthusiasts but provided a more familiar experience for newcomers.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E had a firmer ride, even on lower trims, with the GT trim featuring the MagneRide damping system for more adjustment by drive mode. The steering was sporty, stiff, and tight, appealing to those seeking a sports-oriented experience. The GT Performance Upgrade package increased torque to 700 lb-ft, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and an 11.8-second quarter mile. This upgrade could be added later, offering flexibility for buyers.

The Mach-E GT and Rally trims included Ford Performance features like front seats, MagneRide suspension, and Brembo front brake calipers. The Rally trim also had a 1-inch lift and unique suspension tuning for off-road driving. The Mach-E’s new, lighter-weight rear eMotor improved torque and range, with the base model offering 250 miles of range and the Premium trim with extended-range battery and RWD reaching 320 miles. The GT and Rally trims, with AWD, had ranges of 280 and 265 miles, respectively. DC fast-charging times were reduced by about 20%, enhancing convenience.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in interior space, it was practical for an affordable EV. The ID.4 also had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models.

VW made small interior changes for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console, a better spot for a phone, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E’s crossover body style provided 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a drainable frunk. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo space to 59.7 cubic feet. The driver and front passenger had 38.9 inches of headroom and 43.3 inches of legroom, while back-seat passengers had 38.2 inches of headroom and 38.1 inches of legroom, with more space available with the panoramic glass roof. The driver’s seat was power-adjustable in every trim, with eight-way adjustability for the base trim and 10-way for higher trims. The front passenger seat had eight-way power-adjustability starting on the Premium trim. ActiveX seating surfaces were standard, with Miko inserts and performance-inspired perforation on the top trims.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the 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 ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The user interface included sharp graphics, smartphone-like icons, and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, lacking physical feedback.

The ID.4 also featured ID.Light, an ambient lighting system that changed color based on drive mode and provided navigation cues. While clever, it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, running on the latest SYNC 4A software. The 15.5-inch, portrait-oriented touchscreen housed climate and temperature controls, with a physical wheel for stereo volume and power. The Mach-E also included Ford’s Intelligent Range system, which used cloud-based data to provide accurate range estimates based on various factors.

While screen-based controls were becoming more accepted, the Mach-E’s user experience could be improved. For example, navigation instructions should automatically return to the screen after a few seconds of inactivity. The Mach-E’s technology suite aimed to reduce range anxiety and enhance the driving experience.

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’ highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, with top scores in all crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 also had a good complement of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, 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.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured BlueCruise 1.3, Ford’s hands-free highway-driving assist software, available with a 90-day trial and a three-year subscription option. The Mach-E also included a 360-degree camera and the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, such as blind-spot information, pre-collision assist, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 2023 Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick Award from the IIHS, with top ratings in crash prevention and child seat anchor categories. The NHTSA awarded five-star ratings in side crash and rollover testing for all model years, including 2024.