Volkswagen ID.4 vs. Nissan Ariya

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, with more nationwide buyers choosing to purchase one. Whether you buy a crossover or a sedan, an EV offers much lower maintenance costs during its life span and appeals to buyers who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Two strong contenders for your consideration in the EV crossover segment are the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Nissan Ariya. Our auto experts here at Capistrano Volkswagen compared these two compact SUVs to let you know what they have to offer.

Volkswagen ID.4 vs. Nissan Ariya Powertrain and Charging

These two electric SUVs share comparable powertrains. The ID.4 boasts a single motor and an 82 kWh battery pack in its standard rear-wheel-drive setup that generates 201 horsepower. Stepping up to all-wheel drive adds a second motor that helps generate a little more power, taking the ID.4’s maximum output to 295 horsepower.

The Ariya has a smaller 63 kWh battery and a single motor in its base setup, but an optional 87 kWh battery and all-wheel-drive configuration are available. The front-wheel-drive setup with the smaller battery produces 240 horsepower, while all-wheel drive bumps this up to 335 horsepower. With the larger battery, front-wheel-drive models generate 238 horsepower, and all-wheel-drive models push out 389 horsepower.

The range that these vehicles offer depends on the trim configuration you choose. The Ariya has a range from 260 miles on a full charge in the base trim to around 300 miles in its top-line model. However, remember that the all-wheel-drive Ariya with the smaller battery has a significantly shorter driving range of 205 miles. In addition, the all-wheel-drive Ariya isn’t expected to be released in the 2023 model year.

All ID.4 models achieve a driving range of over 260 miles. When it comes to charging your SUV, a 240-volt charger, also known as Level 2 charging, can recharge the ID.4 in about 7.5 to 11 hours. If you link your ID.4 to a direct current (DC) fast charger, you can load its battery from 5% to 80% in just 38 minutes. The Ariya isn’t quite as fast, and it takes 40 minutes for a DC charger to charge it from 20% to 80%, according to Nissan.

Ariya vs. ID.4 Interior

If you’re buying a crossover for its storage abilities, the ID.4 is the clear winner. Behind the second row, it boasts over 30 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and you can increase this to 64 cubic feet by folding down the second row. By contrast, the Ariya has around 22 cubic feet behind the rear row and 59 cubic feet when folded flat. The Ariya will still be more than adequate for a big grocery haul. But if you’re planning a longer road trip, the more spacious cabin in the ID.4 will offer better utility.

Seating in both these EVs is comparatively similar. Due to the fact that EVs have a flat floor in the rear row, both these crossovers can accommodate three adults in the rear row, which is often not the case in a traditional gas-powered vehicle.

Volkswagen ID.4 vs. Nissan Ariya Infotainment and Safety Technology

The ID.4’s infotainment system features a 10-inch touch screen and a seven-speaker stereo. The standard features include a navigation system, wireless device charging, and a digital gauge cluster. The Ariya has two 12.3-inch screens and shares various connectivity options with the ID.4, such as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and USB ports.

The Ariya’s ProPilot Assist 2.0 feature offers hands-free driving on some stretches of highway. The system can also change lanes for you, so long as you keep your hands on the wheel. A similar system is offered as standard in the ID.4 called automatic highway assist. Other standard features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection can help you avoid accidents.

The ID.4 is also equipped with rain-sensing windshield wipers, giving you one less thing to think about when the rain starts. Front and rear parking sensors make maneuvering this crossover in and out of parking spots a breeze. The only optional safety feature offered is adaptive headlights.

Nissan Ariya vs. Volkswagen ID.4 Pricing and Trims

Volkswagen sells the ID.4 in two trims: Pro and Pro S. The starting price for the base Pro trim is around $40,700. The Ariya’s starting price is a bit higher than the ID.4, with the base trim offered for an MSRP of $44,485. There are six trims to choose from: Engage, Venture+, Evolve+, Empower+, Premier, and Platinum+.

The base Pro trim equips the ID.4 with cloth upholstery, heated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and manually adjustable front seats. The Pro S trim adds synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable and massaging front seats, and a moonroof. In addition, you get a hands-free liftgate and a larger 12-inch infotainment screen.

The Ariya Engage gets synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Venture+ is offered with the extended battery, but it has cloth upholstery instead of synthetic leather. The top Platinum+ trim adds leather seats, ventilated front seats, and a 10-speaker audio system.

Choosing between these two EVs is difficult, but we think the ID.4 is the stronger option. Its more spacious cabin offers better versatility than the more compact Ariya and boasts a more affordable price tag. The Ariya does have some more capabilities, especially in its higher trims, but these require you to invest significantly more money to obtain.

If you’d like to know more about the ID.4 or arrange a test drive in Orange County, California, we’re here to help. You can reach out to us by phone or online using our contact information, or swing by our San Juan Capistrano, California, dealership to chat with one of our auto experts in person. You can also inquire about our competitive auto loan deals and attractive ID.4 lease options with our finance team. We’re looking forward to welcoming you and answering any questions, whether you’re a new or returning customer.