Compare the2022 Volkswagen ID.4VS 2021 BMW X3 xDrive30e

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen ID.4 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen ID.4 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the ID.4 and X3 xDrive30e have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The ID.4 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The X3 xDrive30e’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Both the ID.4 and the X3 xDrive30e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ID.4 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X3 xDrive30e has not been fully tested, yet.

Volkswagen’s powertrain warranty covers the ID.4 4 years and 50,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X3 xDrive30e. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the X3 xDrive30e ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 82 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the ID.4’s warranty.

The ID.4’s optional electric motors produce 7 more horsepower (295 vs. 288) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (339 vs. 310) than the X3 xDrive30e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the ID.4 gets better mileage than the X3 xDrive30e running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the ID.4 gets better mileage than the X3 xDrive30e running its gasoline engine:

The ID.4’s maximum EPA estimated driving range is 245 to 280 miles on a full charge (depending on model). The X3 xDrive30e can only travel about 22 miles before it has to start its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen ID.4 higher (10 out of 10) than the BMW X3 xDrive30e (7). This means the ID.4 produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X3 xDrive30e every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the ID.4’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the X3 xDrive30e:

For better traction, the ID.4 has larger tires than the X3 xDrive30e (F:235/55R19 & R:255/50R19 vs. 225/60R18).

The ID.4’s standard 235/55R19 front and 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X3 xDrive30e’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ID.4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the X3 xDrive30e.

For better maneuverability, the ID.4’s turning circle is 7.9 feet tighter than the X3 xDrive30e’s (31.5 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The ID.4 AWD’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the X3 xDrive30e’s (36.42 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The ID.4 is 5.4 inches shorter than the X3 xDrive30e, making the ID.4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Volkswagen ID.4 amounts to more than styling. The ID.4 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .28 Cd. That is lower than the X3 xDrive30e (.31) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the ID.4 get better fuel mileage.

The ID.4 has .8 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more rear legroom than the X3 xDrive30e.

The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 59.4 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 X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The ID.4 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The ID.4 Pro S’ standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The ID.4 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the X3 xDrive30e.

The ID.4 Pro S has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the X3 xDrive30e.

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the X3 xDrive30e.

The ID.4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.