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VW ID.4 vs Volvo XC40 Recharge vs Audi Q4

17K views 24 replies 14 participants last post by  salant76  
#1 ·
I know there have been Audi Q4 vs VW ID.4 posts on here and I did look through some of those posts.

Is anyone currently or has anyone cross shopped these three vehicles? This is only a comparison of the AWD Pro S with or without Gradient compared to the other models due to pricing. We have not actually looked at, or test drove the XC40 or Q4 (not even available in the US yet). I know the XC40 is slightly smaller and has slightly worse range, but has more performance than the Audi or VW.

We can probably get a XC40 pretty quick and we can get $1500 off MSRP right now. We do have a ID.4 on order, but who knows when it will actually come in (VW portal says December/January...but not sure how accurate that is) and we can't even order a Q4 yet. With the used car market being crazy right now, we can get an amazing price for my wife's current SUV (either trade in or Carvana) right now. It could be even better this winter or the used car market could drop significantly.....just not sure.

Just looking for some comments from anyone else that has cross shopped and why you went with the vehicle that you chose.
 
#2 · (Edited)
I cross shopped them. I think I commented in the Q4 vrsus ID.4 threads here already, maybe I can find that. Short version is that most specs that matter are almost the same, but I like its more buttons and better layout of the interior. I dislike the big fake grill to make it look like an Audi. It looks like its still a long wait to get the Q4 but I will test drive it if they get it before my ID.4 comes in. The XC40 stopped me quickly once I went to their website and built the model I want, its range of 208 mi and MSRP of $58,150 stopped me from driving 60 miles to test drive it. Note the top level trim is the only way to get Advanced cruise. The performance of the ID.4 AWD is outstanding and I don't need more than its 339 lb.ft of torque anywhere I go.
Edit: i just looked and they increased the 2022 model XC40 range to 223 miles with a software update, making it a little more comparable.
 
#3 ·
If you're breaking the $50K barrier, there's also the Mustang Mach E, Polestar 2, or even the Tesla Model Y, though none of the vehicles are in stock at a local dealership.

With the ID.4, you could try asking all the dealerships within a radius of where you're willing to drive to and have them put you on a list to buy a dealer stock or cancelled ID.4; at least that's what I did back in July 2021... Was able to get a car within 2 weeks of searching across multiple dealers, alas not the color I preferred.
 
#4 ·
With the ID.4, you could try asking all the dealerships within a radius of where you're willing to drive to and have them put you on a list to buy a dealer stock or cancelled ID.4; at least that's what I did back in July 2021... Was able to get a car within 2 weeks of searching across multiple dealers, alas not the color I preferred.
Thats not happening yet with the AWD since most dealers have a waiting list for them of >75 people. Once they get more AWD cancellations that don't fit what someone on the list wants, that q will get smaller quickly as it did with the RWD after several months.
 
#5 ·
I know there have been Audi Q4 vs VW ID.4 posts on here and I did look through some of those posts.

Is anyone currently or has anyone cross shopped these three vehicles? This is only a comparison of the AWD Pro S with or without Gradient compared to the other models due to pricing. We have not actually looked at, or test drove the XC40 or Q4 (not even available in the US yet). I know the XC40 is slightly smaller and has slightly worse range, but has more performance than the Audi or VW.

We can probably get a XC40 pretty quick and we can get $1500 off MSRP right now. We do have a ID.4 on order, but who knows when it will actually come in (VW portal says December/January...but not sure how accurate that is) and we can't even order a Q4 yet. With the used car market being crazy right now, we can get an amazing price for my wife's current SUV (either trade in or Carvana) right now. It could be even better this winter or the used car market could drop significantly.....just not sure.

Just looking for some comments from anyone else that has cross shopped and why you went with the vehicle that you chose.
NHTSA crash test results just came out for ID.4 today and can be compared with results for XC40 Recharge. They are fairly equivalent, Recharge having a slight edge, except for rollover. They both get 4-star in rollover, but Recharge rollover risk is 15.5% (fairly high) compared to ID.4's risk of 10.3% (close to 5-star range) as the Recharge is on an ICE platform so it has a higher center of gravity. I think Recharge is FWD vs. RWD or AWD for ID.4. In IIHS crash tests both cars did very well with ID.4 maybe having a slight edge, except in autonomous braking for pedestrians where the Recharge did better. I had a new '12 Honda CR-V FWD (with stability control) with a rollover rating of 17.4% which almost rolled on me twice before I got rid of it before 50K miles. Those are the only 2 times I've come close to rollover since I owned an old 36 HP '56 Beetle (in '65) which actually did rollover on black ice at top speed (70 mph). I wasn't hurt, but that's maybe unusual in a rollover accident. The beetle shape probably helped as it rolled onto roof and then came back up on it's feet in ice water next to the road. IMO ICE SUV's are somewhat risky, even though they all have stability control now.
 
#6 ·
XC40 has a subscription plan where you pay $1000/month (approx) and that includes insurance and all maintenance.


You can cancel any time after the first five months. It's like a "long-term" EV rental... shorter than a lease.
 
#7 ·
I drove the XC40 recharge before choosing the ID.4. Two big problems with the Volvo. First, it's essentially an ICE car with an EV drive. It's box-y and its drag coefficient/frontal area creates a significant range penalty. Volvo can tweak its software all it likes, but it won't change that 0.34 drag coefficient ... which is an outlier even compared to other EV SUVs. The car's poor aerodynamics reflect how the car looks and feels like an ICE car, right down to the transmission hump running down the center of the car. I don't require that an EV eschew every design element ever found in an ICE car, but I do want to feel that the manufacturer took advantage of what EV technology has to offer to improve the driving/riding experience. Second ... while I like the XC40, it simply failed to offer me a compelling reason to pony up an additional $15k. I don't care about 0-60. As annoying as the ID.4 can be (and full disclosure, I'm not terribly annoyed by any of the annoyances), the car makes its case as an EV that does just about everything pretty well.

As for the Audi ... I'm interested. From what I've seen, I like the look of the ID.4 better than the Audi. But the Audi may offer a more refined product, with fewer glitches and idiosyncrasies. I'd like the 360 degree camera that Audi promises but won't deliver off the bat. I'm interested to see what Audi does with the infotainment navigation system - the ID.4 cannot even tell me where to find the nearest Electrify America charging station, let alone if I've enough in the battery pack to get there. I'd be interested in true one-pedal driving, a HUD and AutoHold, not that I've checked to see if the Q4 offers these things, I'm not one who's troubled by the ID.4's mediocre sound system, but I'd check out what the Audi offers in its place.

At the end of the day ... I'd probably stay with my ID.4. I don't want to give up the cockpit on the steering column. I'm strangely hypnotically taken with the mood lighting. The Q4 doesn't have a color to match the ID.4's King's Red. Plus ... to get everything I want in a Q4, I'm out at least $10k over what I paid for the ID.4.

I'll give the Q4 a hard look when I can drive one. But for the moment, there's nothing on the market to make me want to trade my ID.4 for something else. That is, unless you have a Taycan you're eager to part with!
 
#8 ·
First, it's essentially an ICE car with an EV drive. It's box-y and its drag coefficient/frontal area creates a significant range penalty.
Yeah, the recharge is on an ICE platform which gives it a greater risk of rollover than the ID.4. The center of gravity is just too high. The Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona are in the same boat I believe - both on ICE platforms.
Actually I agree with everything you said. The ID.4 could use a surround camera system as the fenders are unusually high making it hard to perpendicular park or to avoid curbs in parking lots.
 
#9 ·
Volvo recharge biggest issue and any other manufacturers that are using ICE chassis to make EV is aerodynamic under the EV.
Especially with SUV where space between road and EV is much higher.
Incoming BMW EV that will compete against Tesla 3 will be also built on ICE chassis and it is already showing how inefficient is ( but the latest electric motor is actually very efficient 93% and it doesn't use magnets on the rotor....it uses current exited rotor)....this has advantages but also challenges to make it efficient across rpm range.
 
#10 ·
Funny I was curious myself about the XC40 in the last day as an alternate option for getting an EV during tax year 2021 knowing that my reserved ID.4 will likely not be here by end of year.

Seems decent but I’d more likely spring for an ID.4 RWD or Mach-E on a lot somewhere before the XC40. The XC40 is more expensive, smaller, and has less range.

Alex on Autos just posted a video review of the XC40 and it’s worth a watch. I was disappointed with the infotainment system after seeing his review. There’s no Apple or Android emulating service yet and little EV info available to see.
 
#15 ·
Went and drove the xc40 today and my wife likes it a lot more than I thought she would. 🤦🏻‍♂️ We can get a 2022 Recharge Plus with 20” wheels and climate package (has every option except Harman Kardon sound system or adaptive cruise….wife hates adaptive cruise anyway and could care less about a fancy sound atstem) in roughly 10 days with $1500 off sticker plus 0.9% (basically free money). Needless to say we put a deposit on that as well.
 
#16 ·
Yeah I think a lot of us have cross shopped them all at their point. I too wrote a long post in a different thread about our summary of the main ones and why we landed on the VW.

Audi only has 400 cars according to my local dealers planning to come to the states before the end of the year. I don’t think Audi can increase production like VW, etc. as they are still only building electrics in Europe at the moment and not Mexico for instance where most Q5s are built. So you are likely in for a long wait unless your are BFF’s with your Audi dealer. ;)

The Volvo is an ICE covered to electric. I don’t have much to add in the car itself. But it does seem like Volvo/Polestar are coming in with lower lease prices based on their leases having higher residuals than VW is estimating. Probably due to brand cache more than anything.
 
#18 ·
I also have a reservation for an XC40 Recharge. My local dealer which is 10 minutes from work let me do a 45 minute test drive on it 2 weeks ago. It is expensive but the lease terms seem to be good for a $60k vehicle.

The ID.4 is the more partial choice (usually the way I go) but the XC40 is the more emotional choice. The range isn’t great but it is still 100 miles more than my current car.
 
#23 ·
I also have a reservation for an XC40 Recharge. My local dealer which is 10 minutes from work let me do a 45 minute test drive on it 2 weeks ago. It is expensive but the lease terms seem to be good for a $60k vehicle.

The ID.4 is the more partial choice (usually the way I go) but the XC40 is the more emotional choice. The range isn’t great but it is still 100 miles more than my current car.
So you have ID.4, Ioniq 5, and XC40 Recharge reservations now and going to go with the XC40 if the other two don't get here by end of year?

I've been doing a bit more research on the XC40 myself and certain vehicles already allocated to specific dealers are apparently available within 10 days. It seems the downside is the higher price, the smaller cabin (XC40 is 7" shorter than the ID.4), the lower range (marginally), and a small tunnel rather than an almost flat rear footwell. But the upside is a more luxurious vehicle including H-K sound system, one pedal driving, more power. I'm interested enough to go test drive one as it's looking more and more like neither ID.4 AWD or Ioniq 5 will be here by end of year.
 
#19 ·
Well we were able to get an XC40 Recharge that was available at the Port in Baltimore, so it should be at our dealer in less than 10 days. My wife loves the Volvo, so Volvo it is. We were able to get $1500 off sticker, .99% for 60 months, and they got our trade in to match the ridiculously high offer from Carvana after you factor in the tax savings. Overall decent deal and my wife is very excited and it’s much more her speed over the more techy ID.4. I was impressed with the Volvo and it’s definitely quick….not as fast as our Tesla, but still very quick for a smaller SUV.
 
#20 ·
The XC40 was on my short list, but with the limited range, high price, and current lack of CarPlay or Android Auto, it feels like a half-baked EV adaptation of their great small ICE SUV. I bailed on my reservation in March when the car got stuck in port for multiple issues, and Volvo did a terrible job of communicating. I went with a Mach E and loved it for six months, but decided to pocket some extra cash and switch to the ID.4, which I am now eagerly awaiting. Any of the three can be a solid option, but I think the value of an ID.4 is unmatched.
 
#22 ·
A very good comparison of these two EU market models.
I was surprised to see that the fixed panoramic roof makes noise on bumpy roads but it must be due to the sunshade rattling.
I am not surprised to hear about the noise difference at higher speeds as the the Audi has laminated glass on the front doors and no panoramic roof. I wonder how much noise the Audi might make on bumpy roads with their sliding panoramic roof. And hopefully no leaks?
The use of more buttons, better software and other differences make the Audi more interesting to me but this, of course, all comes at a price.
Still studying.......🤔
 
#25 ·
I ended up canceling my reservation for the XC40 Recharge. It is the base Plus package with standard 19” rims, Winter Package and towbar hitch. Exterior Paint is denim blue.

If interested call Volvo Cars Worcester. Phone number is (508) 755-5456. Ask for Scott Hunter.

For reference I was told 10-12 weeks to get my XC40 it was 4 weeks.