Compare the2023 Volkswagen ID.4VS 2023 Toyota bZ4X

The ID.4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The bZ4X doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the ID.4 and bZ4X 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 bZ4X’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 bZ4X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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 bZ4X has not been fully tested, yet.

The ID.4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The bZ4X’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Volkswagen’s powertrain warranty covers the ID.4 3 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the bZ4X. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the bZ4X ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The ID.4’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the bZ4X’s (7 vs. 5 years).

The ID.4’s standard electric motor produces 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (229 vs. 196) than the bZ4X’s standard electric motor. The ID.4’s optional electric motors produces 81 more horsepower (295 vs. 214) and 91 lbs.-ft. more torque (339 vs. 248) than the bZ4X’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen ID.4 electric motors is faster than the Toyota bZ4X electric motors:

The ID.4 can travel longer on a full charge than the bZ4X on a full charge:

For better stopping power the ID.4’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the bZ4X:

For better traction and acceleration, the ID.4 has larger rear tires than the bZ4X (255/50R19 vs. 235/60R18).

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 bZ4X XLE’s standard 60 series tires. The ID.4 S’ 255/45R20 rear tires have a lower 45 series profile than the bZ4X Limited’s 50 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 bZ4X XLE.

The ID.4 handles at .85 G’s, while the bZ4X Limited AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the ID.4’s turning circle is 8.5 feet tighter than the bZ4X’s (31.5 feet vs. 40 feet). The ID.4 AWD’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the bZ4X’s (36.42 feet vs. 40 feet).

The ID.4 is 4.1 inches shorter than the bZ4X, making the ID.4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The ID.4 has 5.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the bZ4X (99.9 vs. 94.4).

The ID.4 has 2 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.9 inches more rear hip room than the bZ4X.

The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the bZ4X with its rear seat up (30.3 vs. 27.7 cubic feet). The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the bZ4X with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 56.9 cubic feet).

The ID.4 has a 2200 lbs. towing capacity. The bZ4X has no towing capacity.

When two different drivers share the ID.4 S/Pro S/Pro S Plus, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The bZ4X doesn’t offer a memory 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 bZ4X doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 bZ4X’s power window (except driver window) and power lock 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 bZ4X doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the ID.4 has a standard rear wiper. The bZ4X doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 bZ4X 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.

When the ID.4 Pro S Plus is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The bZ4X’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The ID.4 S/Pro S/Pro S Plus has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the bZ4X.

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 bZ4X doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Volkswagen ID.4 outsold the Toyota bZ4X by almost 17 to one during 2022.