2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim and badges, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. This trim level aimed to give the Ascent a sporty appearance that it previously lacked. Inside, the Onyx Edition came with gray two-tone StarTex synthetic leather upholstery, which was water-repellant but had a tendency to trap sweat against the body. The interior also featured metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels, creating an appropriate mood. However, the lack of ventilated seats in this trim was a drawback.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper, a more squared-off rear bumper design, new wheel designs and colors, and a rear VW logo that lights up. The ID.4's design was distinctively EV-like but lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, featuring a minimalist design and an overall feeling of quality. Leatherette upholstery with seat and door-panel inserts made partly from recycled fibers was standard for 2023.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ascent with 20-inch wheels had an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined, and during testing, it averaged 20.5 mpg. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and came with Subaru’s X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. However, the advanced adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement, creating an unsettled sensation when engaged.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with rear-wheel drive (RWD). The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models retained the 82-kWh battery 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 delivered 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet 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 regenerative braking system allowed for coasting in its default setting and a more aggressive "B" setting, but it did not offer one-pedal driving.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, but third-row comfort was limited for taller adults. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy, thanks to wide rear doors that opened nearly 90 degrees. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second-row seat, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down. Versions with the panoramic sunroof had slightly less cargo space.

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. The ID.4 provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. For 2023, the ID.4's center console featured a conventional lid and a better spot for a phone, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was available.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a CD player. The Premium trim added an 8-inch display with available Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting with climate control pre-conditioning. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features for the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 12.0-inch touchscreen on all models, 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 included haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which lacked physical feedback and could be distracting. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and AI assistant features, indicating navigation directions and changing colors based on drive mode.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and five-star crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in all evaluations except for rollover resistance, where it earned four stars. The Ascent came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist and available blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking.

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’ highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, and similar ratings were expected for the 2023 model. The ID.4 came with standard driver-assist features, including 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. For 2023, the ID.4 added standard Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature for Travel Assist, and a 360-degree camera system.