Compare the2026 Volkswagen ID.4 VS 2026 Tesla Model S

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 S doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen ID.4 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Tesla Model S doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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

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 S 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 S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 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 S:

	ID.4	Model S
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	18%	30%
Neck Stress	189 lbs.	247 lbs.
Neck Compression	8 lbs.	28 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	39/39 lbs.	467/415 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 S:

	ID.4	Model S
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	76	160
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	125	197
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	47 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	6 inches	8 inches
HIC	333	449
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	46 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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

There are almost 3 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.

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

			MPGe
ID.4
	RWD	Electric Motor	122 city/104 hwy
	AWD	Electric Motors	108 city/96 hwy
Model S
	AWD	Plaid 21" Wheels Electric Motors	97 city/89 hwy

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The ID.4 has standard Braking Support to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Model S doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

For better maneuverability, the ID.4’s turning circle is 8.8 feet tighter than the Model S’ (31.5 feet vs. 40.3 feet). The ID.4 AWD’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the Model S’ (36.4 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

The ID.4 is 1 foot, 5.2 inches shorter than the Model S, making the ID.4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The ID.4 is 1 foot, 6.2 inches shorter than the Model S Plaid.

The ID.4 is 5.5 inches narrower on average than the Model S, making the ID.4 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The ID.4 has 5.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Model S (99.9 vs. 94).

The ID.4 has .9 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model S.

The ID.4 has a 2200 lbs. towing capacity. The Model S 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 S doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 S.

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 Model S’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The ID.4’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Model S’ headlights are rated “Poor.”

The ID.4’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model S 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 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 S.

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

The Volkswagen ID.4 outsold the Tesla Model S by over two to one during 2025.