2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to the Ford lineup, designed as a smaller sibling to the rugged Bronco. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of the Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs for better off-road capability. The vehicle's tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides were crafted for trail driving, minimizing the risk of catching on obstructions. The Bronco Sport's front end echoed the larger Bronco, with bold white "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, and a modest Ford blue oval badge on the tailgate. The wheels varied by trim, ranging from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks model.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful design, with an uncluttered layout and unique HVAC vent shapes. The center stack featured convenient storage cubbies and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied by model, from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, and Navy Pier Leather power front seats on the First Edition. The cargo area was designed with practicality in mind, featuring a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector, with options for carpeted floor mats and rubberized flooring.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, with a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4 was based on VW's EV-specific MEB platform and followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While it had plastic body cladding and a slightly taller ride height, it didn't look much like an SUV, similar to other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric.

The ID.4's interior combined Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic surfaces. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1st Edition models had leatherette upholstery. The interior design aimed to provide a tech-forward experience, with a focus on comfort and practicality.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks models were equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes (Go Over Any Type of Terrain).

The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, four-wheel independent suspension, and generous suspension travel. It had a ground clearance of 7.8 to 8.8 inches, depending on tire and wheel size. On-road, the Bronco Sport had good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a better match for its character compared to the 1.5-liter engine.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It was the first rear-wheel drive (RWD) Volkswagen passenger car sold in the United States since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.

The RWD ID.4 offered balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. The electric motor provided instantaneous torque, making it fun to drive. The AWD version added more power and traction, performing well on twisty roads but still prioritizing comfort over sportiness. The ID.4's regenerative braking system was less aggressive than other EVs, relying more on friction brakes for a familiar driving experience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter engine could tow 2,000 pounds. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average for the segment. It had 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, more than some EV rivals but less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a "frunk" for extra storage, but the cabin felt spacious, with good forward visibility. The center console had limited storage space, but the heated steering wheel and front seats were effective for maintaining cabin heat in cold weather.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, with a standard 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system had six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology provided cruise-control-like assistance for off-roading. Higher trims included features like a 360-degree camera, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels, and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced most switchgear. The touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback, but the natural-language voice-control system provided an alternative. The ID.Light feature communicated information through a light strip at the base of the windshield. The touchscreen was well-positioned, with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane centering, evasive steering assist, and more. All models had AWD and a terrain management system with traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control. Crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Travel Assist added automated lane centering, and Emergency Assist could bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.