Compare the2024 Volkswagen ID.4VS 2023 Mercedes EQB

Both the ID.4 and EQB 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 EQB’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.

The ID.4 has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The EQB doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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 EQB doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The ID.4’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the EQB.

Both the ID.4 and the EQB 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, daytime running lights, 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 67 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The EQB has not been tested, yet.

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

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

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the ID.4 for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for tire rotations, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EQB.

There are over 66 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the ID.4’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 2 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The ID.4 has more powerful engines than the EQB:

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

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

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

The ID.4 Pro S Plus’ 235/45R21 front and 255/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the EQB’s optional 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 EQB. The ID.4 Pro S Plus’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the EQB.

The ID.4 handles at .83 G’s, while the EQB 350 4MATIC pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the ID.4’s turning circle is 6.9 feet tighter than the EQB’s (31.5 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The ID.4 AWD’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the EQB’s (36.42 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The ID.4 is 3.9 inches shorter than the EQB, making the ID.4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The ID.4 has 1.6 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the EQB.

The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EQB with its rear seat up (30.3 vs. 10.7 cubic feet). The ID.4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EQB with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 61.8 cubic feet).

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 EQB doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The ID.4’s standard KESSY Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless-Start standard on the EQB only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

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 EQB doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The ID.4 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the EQB. The ID.4 Pro S Plus also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the EQB.

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the EQB.

The Volkswagen ID.4 outsold the Mercedes EQB by over three to one during 2023.