Compare the2023 Volkswagen ID.4VS 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge

Both the ID.4 and the C40 Recharge 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 C40 Recharge has not been fully tested, yet.

Volkswagen’s powertrain warranty covers the ID.4 4 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the C40 Recharge. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the C40 Recharge ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Volvo 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 Volvo vehicles. With 26 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Volvo.

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 Volvo With 39 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Volvo.

On the EPA test cycle the ID.4 gets better mileage than the C40 Recharge:

The ID.4 can travel longer on a full charge than the C40 Recharge on a full charge:

The ID.4 has a standard locking charge port with a remote release located convenient to the driver. The C40 Recharge doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the ID.4’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the C40 Recharge:

For better traction and acceleration, the ID.4 has larger rear tires than the C40 Recharge (255/50R19 vs. 235/45R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ID.4’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the C40 Recharge (108.7 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

The ID.4 handles at .85 G’s, while the C40 Recharge Ultimate 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 5.9 feet tighter than the C40 Recharge’s (31.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The ID.4 AWD’s turning circle is 1 feet tighter than the C40 Recharge’s (36.42 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the ID.4 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the C40 Recharge (6.8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the ID.4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Volkswagen ID.4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 450 pounds less than the Volvo C40 Recharge.

The ID.4 has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the C40 Recharge.

The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the C40 Recharge with its rear seat up (30.3 vs. 17.3 cubic feet). The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the C40 Recharge with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 48.7 cubic feet).

The ID.4’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the C40 Recharge’s (2200 vs. 2000 pounds).

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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 C40 Recharge.

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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The ID.4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Volkswagen ID.4 outsold the Volvo C40 Recharge by over five to one during 2022.