Compare the2023 Volkswagen ID.4VS 2023 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 for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen ID.4 is safer than the Audi e-tron Sportback:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen ID.4 is safer than the Audi e-tron Sportback:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ID.4 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The e-tron Sportback has not been fully tested, yet.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 15 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Audi.

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

The ID.4 can travel longer on a full charge than the e-tron Sportback on a full charge:

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 900 to 1450 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).

The ID.4’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the e-tron Sportback’s (2200 vs. 0 pounds).

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 S/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 S/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’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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 62% during 2022.