2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling updates, including a 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. 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 those attracted to conventional SUV styling. 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 even in the entry-level variant.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a true crossover built on the TNGA-K platform, sharing its underpinnings with several Toyota models. It was notably larger than its competitors, offering a spacious interior with a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm. The Grand Highlander’s design was more conservative and blockier, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the 4Runner. It was available in three trims, with the XLE featuring black Softex synthetic leather, while the Limited and Platinum trims offered real leather. The interior was equipped with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a large centre console, making it a comfortable and well-built road-trip vehicle.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery options: a new 62-kWh 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 delivered 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD variant 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 acceleration capabilities, the ID.4 exhibited body roll on twisty roads, limiting its handling prowess. Regenerative braking was present, but VW opted for a more traditional driving experience rather than one-pedal driving.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options: a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder with 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid with 245 combined net horsepower, and the Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All powertrains were AWD in Canada, with the Hybrid Max delivering impressive acceleration and a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander’s size made it less maneuverable, and while it didn’t exhibit excessive body roll, the steering felt numb. The brakes were solid, and the 2.4-litre turbocharged engine provided adequate power. Three drive modes were available, with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. It provided more legroom and headroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in terms of interior space, it was practical for an affordable EV. The ID.4 had a towing capacity of 1,000 kilograms for RWD models and 1,225 kg for AWD models. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, offering a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres. With seats in position, it provided 1,640 litres behind the second row and 583 litres with all three rows up. The spacious interior accommodated adults comfortably in all rows, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. The Grand Highlander’s design prioritized comfort and visibility, making it a suitable alternative for those seeking minivan-like space without opting for a minivan.

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 lacked physical feedback, making them less intuitive. The ID.Light feature provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, though it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an intelligent assistant available via a connected-services subscription. The system supported voice commands for tasks like temperature adjustment and radio station changes. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited and Platinum trims came with an 11-speaker JBL stereo, offering balanced sound quality. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available, with a three-month trial included.

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 highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, with top scores in all 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.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. The updated lane-departure alert could identify three-dimensional objects, reducing false warnings. Traffic jam assist and a head-up display were exclusive to the Platinum grade. Adaptive cruise control was standard, with four following-distance settings.