2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, and a rakish windshield, with a cabin pulled back toward the rear wheels, embodying the subtle seductiveness typical of Mazda's designs over the past decade. However, it also introduced a rugged aesthetic with blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body and wheel arch cladding, and fake front and rear skid plates. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually offensive.

When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels, these elements created an appealing exterior. Later in the model year, the CX-50 Meridian Edition was set to join the lineup with exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform. Inside, the top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus featured black leather with caramel-colored accent stitching, a driver-focused design, quality materials, and polished metallic trim. Despite a few design quirks, the CX-50 was a good-looking compact crossover.

VW 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, along with a rear VW logo that lights up, were also introduced. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV compared to VW's gasoline models, it lacked the upright profile and added ground clearance of traditional SUVs, which might have been a drawback for some buyers.

The ID.4 was based on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs with built-in modularity. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, including a minimalist design and an overall feeling of quality. The base ID.4 Standard model, aside from a manual driver's seat, didn't seem like much of a downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S. Leatherette upholstery with seat and door-panel inserts made partly from recycled fibers were standard for 2023.

Most Mazda CX-50 buyers likely opted for the more affordable and fuel-efficient 2.5 S model, which had a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 lb-ft of torque, delivered to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda estimated this base-engine version would return 27 mpg in combined driving. For those seeking stronger acceleration and increased towing capacity, the CX-50 2.5 Turbo was the better choice, with a turbocharged version of the standard engine making between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel used. Torque varied between 310 lb-ft and 320 lb-ft.

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo was predicted to get 25 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 23.4 mpg. The turbocharged engine provided smooth acceleration across a broad power curve, with minimal turbo lag. The SUV's G-Vectoring Control technology ensured natural vehicle behavior in various driving modes, though differences between the modes were slight. The CX-50 felt firmer in ride quality compared to the CX-5, and there was a hint of torque steer during tight turns. Despite its higher ride height and up to 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the CX-50 felt more like a modern station wagon than an SUV.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh pack, available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models were rated at 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque, while dual-motor AWD models upped output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft, 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 62-kWh ID.4 Standard felt spritely during a short drive, though more seat time was needed for a proper comparison with the larger-battery RWD version. The AWD ID.4 had acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks but lacked the handling finesse. The ID.4 used regenerative braking to recover energy, but VW's approach didn't support one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for EV newcomers.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered a range of comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were also available. The driver's seat and front passenger's seat were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy enough for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports in nearly all trims.

Storage space was adequate, though Mazda missed opportunities for additional bins. The available smartphone charger had a convenient slot under the center armrest. The power rear liftgate revealed 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The load floor was long but narrow between the wheel wells, with side bins and hooks for securing items.

The ID.4 offered 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 had 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it more practical than most entry-level EVs. The ID.4 also had some towing capability, with a quoted capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models.

VW made small changes to the interior for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone. Three-zone climate control was now available, with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

Every CX-50 came with a Mazda Connect infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base 2.5 S had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a larger 10.25-inch display. Historically, Mazda Connect did not offer touchscreen control, relying on center console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 CX-50 allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display (HUD) projected data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

For 2023, the ID.4's formerly optional 12.0-inch touchscreen became standard on all models, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard.

The ID.4's user interface included sharp graphics, smartphone-like icons, and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, though voice recognition often made them redundant. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation cues.

Mazda typically rated high for safety, though the IIHS had not yet tested the CX-50. The CX-50 came with a generous standard package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control had some issues recognizing slower vehicles cutting in, but overall, the systems worked well.

The NHTSA gave the 2023 ID.4 a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for front crash prevention. The ID.4 had a good complement of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, automated lane-change for Travel Assist, and a 360-degree camera system.