Comparing the Volkswagen ID.4 to the Ford Mustang Mach-E

We’re heavy believers in not just the electric revolution but in a specific electric vehicle: the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. Why? Charging stations are cropping up all across Washington, making it the best time to invest in a new electric ride, and the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 is the ideal electric SUV for our strip of the West Coast. Whether you’re driving north to Seattle or south toward Oregon, you deserve a quality ride that won’t have you tilting your wallet at the gas station.

To show you just how great of a performer the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 is, we’re going to compare it to one of the most famous electric SUVs on the market today: the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E. This sports-inspired crossover has gained a lot of fans—and understandably so—but we believe a comparison between Ford’s electric SUV and that of Volkswagen will prove that the latter comes out ahead. Without further adieu, let’s take a look at the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Electric Vehicle vs 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Energy Potential

Both our national and state governments have invested in Washington’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. That’s why, compared to even a few years ago, owning an EV is more convenient and economical than ever before. With less maintenance and no fuel cost (not to mention generous tax credits), owning an EV has become a no-brainer for the average American driver.

Still, we understand if you have some concerns about moving over to a vehicle that relies on an electric charge. After decades of filling up at the gas station, it can seem like quite a shift in lifestyle to jump into something purely electric. Not to fear, though, as charging your vehicle has never been easier—and not just due to the increase in charging stations.

The average EV’s battery recharges at a rate far faster than it used to. Charging times are usually evaluated on how fast it takes an EV to go from 10% to 80%, and the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 takes, at most, 36 minutes to complete that much. The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E takes a bit more time, at about 50 minutes. This is just one reason we’re so confident that the ID.4 will curry your favor. When you’re traveling, you won’t wait nearly as long to recharge, as the ID.4’s powerful battery makes certain it’ll blitz past its competitors.

Charging time is not all there is to consider with the battery. Driving distance is another deciding factor. The Pro trim of the Volkswagen ID.4 can provide you with 275 miles at full charge. The Mustang Mach-E’s Premium trim—the equivalent of the ID.4’s Pro—has a traveling distance of 250 miles at full charge, so the ID.4 once more outdoes its competitor. This higher driving distance is enviable as it results in you being able to take longer trips with fewer and shorter stops.

Top Performance

Don’t get caught in the past: EVs are now high-performance vehicles. You’re not sacrificing power when you transition to an electric ride. If you’re still thinking about the slow EVs of the early aughts, then you need to peep the impressive numbers that current EVs are putting up. If you want a ride that performs well, an EV is the route to go—and you’ll be able to crank up the speed without worrying about how much fuel you’re burning.

Let’s talk about the most useful statistic, which is how fast you can go from zero to sixty. We like to weigh how vehicles accelerate because one nightmare situation drivers often face is getting caught at a highway on-ramp, waiting for a break in traffic to edge in. If your acceleration is weak, you can end up stuck there for an uncomfortably long time, growing stressed and annoyed—or you’ll succumb to desperation and do something terrifying that puts you in harm’s way.

You won’t have to worry about that happening with the ID.4; its Pro trim can crank up to sixty mph in 5.7 seconds. The Mustang Mach-E’s comparable Premium trim can do it in 5.8 seconds. Once again, the ID.4 sneaks ahead. The ID.4’s liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery gives it this edge in power. Another benefit is that this battery makes your ride nearly silent; there’s no more coughing roar when you accelerate—merely a whisper.

Cargo Space

While the ID.4 is electric, it’s also an SUV, which means you expect it to let you tote some wares. Otherwise, what’s the purpose of investing in an SUV? Perhaps you have a family that likes to take weekend trips; with an electric SUV, you can slash fuel costs, but can you still pack in all your luggage?

You already knew the answer, didn’t you? Even with all the seats up in your ID.4, you’ll have a healthy 30.3 cu.ft. of cargo space. If you decide to put the rear seats down, that more than doubles your volume, giving you 64.2 cu.ft. of cargo space. The ID.4’s interior is sensibly laid out to maximize both passenger and cargo volume.

Too many SUVs have misleading cargo numbers; these are owed to poorly designed interiors wherein you’re unable to realistically use as much space as is technically provided. What’s the point of cargo space if you’re only able to use a portion of it? Luckily, that’s not a concern in this new Volkswagen.

The ID.4’s main rival, the Mach-E, does well with cargo space but not quite as well; with all seats up, the Mustang Mach-E offers 29.7 cu.ft., and with the rear seats down, you get 59.7 cu.ft. These numbers are not drastically lower, but anyone who has taken a long trip and had to pack in as many boxes or suitcases as possible knows that every cubic foot counts. Not even one inch can be taken for granted.

The Final Verdict

The ID.4 looks pretty good in comparison to Ford’s version of an E-SUV. That’s not to knock the Mustang Mach-E—it’s a good ride, for sure—but the ID.4 comes out well ahead in terms of battery, motor, and capacity while also being more affordable.

Volkswagen has a reputation for crafting strong, long-lasting vehicles that can deliver speed and command. The ID.4 is no different. When you invest in one, you’ll rest assured that you’re not only buying an EV that performs well now but one that will perform well far into the future.

The All-Electric Future at Bud Clary Auburn Volkswagen

There’s no question that EVs are going to define the coming decades. From tax breaks to environmental concerns to cheaper fuel and upkeep, there are infinite reasons to make the switch from a gas-powered vehicle to an electric one. Why not get ahead of the curve? The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 will not only give you an incredible vehicle but will let you stay ahead of everyone else, helping to set the trend. When the rest of the world has moved to EVs by the end of the decade, you’ll be able to say you were at the front of the pack.

Come down to Bud Clary Auburn Volkswagen. We’re ready to put Washington drivers into their ideal EV. You’re welcome to take a test drive to get a sense of all that this outstanding electric SUV has to offer. Driving has never been so fun.