Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2022 Volkswagen ID.4

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The ID.4 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Outlander PHEV. But it costs extra on the ID.4.

The Outlander PHEV GT has a standard Multi View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The ID.4 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the ID.4 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Outlander PHEV comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The ID.4’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander PHEV 2 years longer than Volkswagen covers the ID.4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the ID.4 ends after only 8 years or 100,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 69 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi above average in long-term dependability. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mitsubishi 4 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Outlander PHEV’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 20 more horsepower (221 vs. 201) than the ID.4’s standard electric motor.

The Outlander PHEV’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 318 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The ID.4’s range is only 245 to 280 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 10 minutes for only a 25% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 7 hours and 30 minutes.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the ID.4. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

For greater off-road capability the Outlander PHEV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the ID.4 (7.3 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Outlander PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 700 pounds less than the Volkswagen ID.4.

The Outlander PHEV has 2.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ID.4 (102.1 vs. 99.9).

The Outlander PHEV has .4 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom, 5.2 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the ID.4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outlander PHEV’s rear seats recline. The ID.4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Outlander PHEV has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the ID.4 with its rear seat folded (66.6 vs. 64.2 cubic feet).

The Outlander PHEV GT has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The ID.4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Mitsubishi Outlander outsold the Volkswagen ID.4 by over two to one during the 2021 model year.