Compare the2023 Volkswagen ID.4VS 2023 Tesla Model 3

Safety
Warranty
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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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 Model 3 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The ID.4 Pro S Plus has a standard Area View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model 3 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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the ID.4’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The ID.4 has standard Car-Net, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the ID.4 and the Model 3 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 and driver alert 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 Tesla Model 3:

	ID.4	Model 3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	18%	22%
Neck Stress	189 lbs.	230 lbs.
Neck Compression	8 lbs.	42 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	39/39 lbs.	333/455 lbs.

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 Tesla Model 3:

	ID.4	Model 3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	128 lbs.	158 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	125	206
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	46 G’s
Hip Force	527 lbs.	556 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	6 inches	7 inches
HIC	333	384

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 Model 3 has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

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. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model 3.

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

Fuel Economy and Range

The ID.4 can travel longer on a full charge than the Model 3 on a full charge:

			Miles
ID.4
	RWD	Electric Motor	275 miles
		S Electric Motor	275 miles
Model 3
	RWD	Rear Wheel Drive Electric Motor	272 miles

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the ID.4’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model 3:

	ID.4	Model 3	Model 3 Performance
Front Rotors	14.1 inches	12.6 inches	14 inches

The ID.4 stops shorter than the Model 3:

	ID.4	Model 3
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the ID.4 has larger rear tires than the Model 3 (255/50R19 vs. 235/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ID.4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Model 3.

Suspension and Handling

The ID.4 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the ID.4 flat and controlled during cornering. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The ID.4 handles at .85 G’s, while the Model 3 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the ID.4’s turning circle is 6.5 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (31.5 feet vs. 38 feet). The ID.4 AWD’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (36.42 feet vs. 38 feet).

Chassis

The ID.4 is 4.3 inches shorter than the Model 3, making the ID.4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The ID.4 has 2.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Model 3 (99.9 vs. 97).

The ID.4 has .3 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 2.4 inches more rear legroom and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model 3.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the ID.4’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The ID.4 has a 2200 lbs. towing capacity. The Model 3 has no towing capacity.

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 Model 3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

A Service Interval Display is standard on the ID.4 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspections, vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model 3.

Ergonomics

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 Model 3 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 Model 3 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 Model 3 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.

The ID.4’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model 3 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

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 Model 3.