Compare the2022 Volkswagen ID.4VS 2022 Audi e-tron Sportback

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ID.4 has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The ID.4’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the ID.4 and the e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

Volkswagen’s powertrain warranty covers the ID.4 4 years and 50,000 miles longer than Audi covers the e-tron Sportback. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the e-tron Sportback ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the ID.4 for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the e-tron Sportback.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the ID.4’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the ID.4’s reliability 25 points higher than the e-tron Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher in initial quality than Audi, which has 27 more problems per 100 vehicles.

On the EPA test cycle the ID.4 gets better mileage than the e-tron Sportback:

On the EPA test cycle the ID.4 has a longer range than the e-tron Sportback:

For better maneuverability, the ID.4’s turning circle is 8.5 feet tighter than the e-tron Sportback’s (31.5 feet vs. 40 feet). The ID.4 AWD’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the e-tron Sportback’s (36.42 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Volkswagen ID.4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 1200 pounds less than the Audi e-tron Sportback.

The ID.4 is 1 foot shorter than the e-tron Sportback, making the ID.4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The ID.4 has 2.5 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more front legroom than the e-tron Sportback.

The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the e-tron Sportback with its rear seat up (30.3 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

Standard trailer stability control on the ID.4 uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The ID.4’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The e-tron Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the ID.4 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the ID.4 Pro S has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The ID.4 Pro S also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen ID.4 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The ID.4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Volkswagen ID.4 outsold the Audi e-tron by 25% during the 2021 model year.