2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Ford Expedition

Ford made several updates to the 2022 Expedition, including exterior styling revisions and updated infotainment technology. The front featured a new grille, headlights, and bumper, while the rear received revised taillights, tailgate trim, and a new bumper. Redesigned wheels were introduced across the model lineup. The 2022 Expedition came in various trims, including a new Timberline trim for off-road enthusiasts, and the Stealth Edition packages for a sportier look. Inside, the dashboard was redesigned to house the new Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with the latter featuring a 15.5-inch touchscreen display. The test model, a Limited Stealth Edition, had a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $80,155, including several options.

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 to improve aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now lights up. The ID.4, based on VW’s MEB platform, offered a minimalist interior design with a feeling of quality. The base ID.4 Standard model featured leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts. The interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone. The ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Expedition used a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in the test vehicle. The engine drove the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with 4WD as an option. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg in combined driving, and the Expedition could tow between 9,000 and 9,300 pounds. The test vehicle’s observed fuel economy was 16.2 mpg. The Expedition’s driving dynamics were generally good, but the sport-tuned suspension of the Stealth Edition Package resulted in a sometimes harsh ride quality. The SUV was easy to park and excelled on the highway, making it suitable for long road trips.

The 2023 ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, with RWD only. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models retained the 82-kWh pack and were available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models produced 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, allowing for a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4’s driving dynamics were comfortable and refined, but it allowed too much body roll to be truly entertaining on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system provided a more familiar experience for EV first-timers.

The 2022 Expedition offered exceptional comfort levels, with power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs provided plenty of legroom and their own climate controls. The third-row seat was easy to access and offered outstanding leg support, though headroom could be tight for taller passengers. Cargo room behind the third row measured 19.3 cubic feet, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Expedition Max offered even more cargo space.

The 2023 ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than a Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. It offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The ID.4 also had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. Interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone. Three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was also available.

The 2022 Expedition featured Ford’s next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. The standard Sync 4 system included a 12-inch touchscreen, while Sync 4A offered a 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, natural voice recognition, and a connected navigation system. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless smartphone charging, and Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems. The Sync 4A system had some quirks, such as occasional issues with Apple CarPlay and the defroster function. The Expedition also offered an upgraded dual-touchscreen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV and Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0.

The 2023 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 to improve responsiveness, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel replaced conventional buttons, which could be distracting. The ID.4 also featured ID.Light, an ambient lighting system that provided visual cues for navigation and other functions.

The 2022 Expedition’s safety features were grouped into three Ford Co-Pilot360 collections. The standard package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, a driver monitoring system, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, speed-limit-sign recognition, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. The Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 package, standard on King Ranch and Platinum trims, included a surround-view camera system, rear automatic emergency braking, and Active Park Assist 2.0. The Expedition also offered Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology.

The 2023 ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating. The ID.4’s standard driver-assist features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. The ID.4 also added standard Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature for Travel Assist, and a 360-degree camera system for 2023.