2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling updates, including a gloss black trim on the front bumper and a squared-off rear bumper design aimed at improving aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colours were introduced, and the rear VW logo was illuminated. Despite these changes, the ID.4 maintained a distinct EV appearance, lacking the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which could be a drawback for buyers seeking a more conventional SUV look. The ID.4 was built on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, and shared interior qualities with VW’s gasoline models, offering a minimalist design and quality feel. The base model included leatherette upholstery with recycled fibre inserts, maintaining a high standard of interior quality.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid, with a base price of $48,909, offered a more affordable electrified SUV option. Its black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim provided a sporty look, while the interior remained basic. The Touring Hybrid, priced at $50,909, featured Canyon River Blue paint and no optional accessories. The CR-V’s conservative styling, with a technical face and tusks framing the lower air intake, gave it a unique appearance. The rear quarter view, with Volvo-adjacent taillights, added an upscale touch. Inside, the Touring trim boasted leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous quality details, creating a sophisticated cabin environment.

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, available in both RWD and AWD. 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 of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, enhancing acceleration and handling. Despite its comfortable and refined ride, the ID.4 allowed too much body roll for truly engaging driving on twisty roads. Regenerative braking was present, but VW opted for a more traditional driving experience rather than one-pedal driving.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to all four wheels. The hybrid system worked transparently, with the gasoline engine sometimes acting as an onboard generator. The CR-V Hybrid achieved 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, although our test vehicle returned 8.7 L/100 km on a mountainous loop. The CR-V Hybrid Touring provided a quiet ride with predictable handling, but the steering effort was unusually heavy. Overall, the CR-V was easy to drive, but it wasn’t designed for off-road adventures or spirited driving.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with ample front-seat and rear-seat 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. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V in interior space, it excelled in practicality among affordable EVs. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models towing up to 1,000 kilograms and AWD models up to 1,225 kg. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. All CR-V Hybrids featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The CR-V’s back seat was spacious and comfortable, with a high bottom cushion and adjustable backrest angle. The CR-V Hybrid provided 1,028 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,030 litres with the back seat folded. The hands-free power rear liftgate added convenience, making the CR-V Hybrid one of the most commodious in its class.

For 2023, the 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 ID.4’s user interface featured sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition, although the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting. The ID.Light system, part ambient lighting and part AI assistant, provided visual cues for navigation but was easily overlooked.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid in Canada featured a 9-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless smartphone charging. The Touring trim included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. While the voice recognition system was basic, the walk-away automatic locking feature provided peace of mind. Pairing an iPhone to the Bluetooth system was quick and easy, and the Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

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 received the IIHS’s highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features such as 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.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Hybrid trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and low-speed automatic braking control. The CR-V Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS for 2024, although it did not achieve the Top Safety Pick+ award due to a poor rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.