2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Electric Vehicle vs 2023 Tesla Model Y

• 2023 Volkswagen ID.4

  

  Starting at

  $38,995^[a]

  2023 Tesla Model Y

  

  Starting at

  $40,240

  5	Max Occupancy (seats)	5
  30.3	Rear Cargo (cu.ft.)	30.2
  5,908	GVWR (lbs)	5,302

  For decades, Volkswagen has been about delivering amazing vehicles with bold performance and comfort, priced to meet the needs of discerning drivers. With the auto industry moving toward an all-electric future, it is no surprise that VW is taking steps to ensure that electric vehicles (EVs) will be accessible to a large part of the population and not an option limited to wealthy drivers. When looking at the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicle vs 2023 Tesla Model Y, it's easy to see how the VW legacy of rich design, innovation, and serving the needs of its customers has come together to create an amazing compact crossover EV built for the general public.

  There's no denying that the Tesla Model Y is a fine vehicle with plenty of snazzy features on hand, but for the difference in price, you really don't get as much as you might think. For example, the Model Y can get more than 300 miles of range from a full charge when looking at one of its high-end versions, but the standard model has an estimated 279 miles of total range; by comparison, the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro model can get up to an estimated 275 miles on a full charge. While this puts the Model Y ahead on paper, in reality, this difference is negligible—and yet the Tesla costs much more than the VW.

  Looking inside these two vehicles, it is easy to see why Tesla has received so much attention with their designs, but the feel of a Tesla's interior is not an objective perfection. While some drivers like their minimal design, we tend to find them sparse and too minimalist; at a certain point, you end up losing some things that make driving easier. The interior of the Volkswagen ID.4 EV feels familiar while still being innovative and gorgeous, providing you with a large infotainment display and a gorgeous driver productivity screen with a sleek overall look that welcomes you in and makes you look forward to getting behind the wheel. All this comes at a lower price and with three years of free charging at Electrify America DC Fast Charging stations, providing you with a superior experience as you embrace an electrified future.

• Interior

  

  Although many features in Tesla models are enjoyed by their drivers, this interior is one of their more controversial aspects. Looking inside the 2023 Tesla Model Y, you find a spacious interior with nice seating, but beyond that, the amenities are quite minimal. This minimalist design is intentional and a point of pride for Tesla—even though it's not for everyone. Many drivers get inside the Model Y for the first time and find it sparse and feel like it is too minimal, lacking a lot of nice features and functions that we have all come to expect in a vehicle.

  Inside the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 EV, you'll find a gorgeously designed interior that is richly appointed without going overboard. With the ID.4, the VW design team has found a beautiful sweet spot between an overcrowded interior and one so minimal that you wonder if something was forgotten. You are immediately greeted by comfortable and inviting seating, ensuring you and your passengers are nice and cozy. At the center of the dashboard is a large 12.0-inch infotainment display designed to be easy to use and keep you informed, with a touchscreen and just enough physical buttons to remain easy to use.

  There's also a large driver display providing you with additional information right below your eye line, making it easy to keep track of your current speed, safety warnings, and more; this—or something comparable—is noticeably missing from the sparse Model Y interior. One of our favorite features inside the ID.4 is the "Volkswagen ID. Light," which provides additional feedback and communication from the vehicle via an intuitive light bar that runs across the dashboard and glows, alongside acoustic cues, to alert you to safety warnings, incoming calls, and much more. All of this comes together to create an interior that is simultaneously familiar while completely innovative and indicative of the generations of Volkswagen design.

• Charging

  

  With any EV, one of the most important things to consider is how easy it is to keep your vehicle charged so that you can get the most from it. Both the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 and the Tesla Model Y support a wide range of charging options that make it easy to keep your vehicle topped off while at home and on the road. You can also get an excellent overall range with both of these models, making it easy to run errands, get away for the weekend, and go on long road trips without worrying about frequently stopping to recharge. One of the major differences between these EVs, however, is the kind of public charging stations you can use and how well these two companies simplify your experience while charging.

  The biggest issue for many drivers is that Tesla vehicles like the Model Y have to be charged at one of Tesla's Supercharger stations for DC Fast Charging. This might not be a problem if one of these stations is located near you, but it does mean you have to utilize Tesla's proprietary hardware for charging your vehicle. The Volkswagen ID.4 utilizes a different standard for charging, which is recognized globally and available throughout the world, giving you access to a wide range of DC Fast Charging stations. Depending on your situation, this can make it a lot easier to keep your vehicle charged than if you need to find a Supercharger station.

  Even more remarkable, however, is the fact that every new ID.4 comes with three years of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America DC Fast Charging stations. There is absolutely no limit on how many times you can take advantage of these free sessions throughout these three years, making it incredibly easy and affordable to become familiar with the freedom that all-electric performance offers. While Tesla used to offer some free charging periods with their vehicles, it has been a long time since they did, and the Model Y only briefly had a one-year offer, which makes it clear where each company's priorities lie.

• Value

  

  At the end of the day, when shopping for a vehicle, you cannot overlook the importance of getting a great buy that will perform well for you in the years to come. Volkswagen has always been about making fantastic cars and SUVs that deliver remarkable performance and comfortable interiors while going easy on your budget. But even more importantly, VW has remained committed to providing these vehicles at accessible price points to ensure a wide range of drivers can enjoy what they have to offer. These are cars made for the general public, designed to be incredibly fun to drive, proving that you do not have to sacrifice a great drive to get a great price.

  On the other hand, Tesla models have typically been regarded as something of a status symbol, and their high prices have remained a barrier to entry into the EV market for many drivers. Although Tesla has been saying for years that they want to make their vehicles more accessible, the prices on their cars and SUVs make it clear that they have not been able to do this. The 2023 VW ID.4 starts at just under $39k—and that's before you take advantage of any tax credits, offers, or programs you qualify for. By comparison, the 2023 Model Y starts at almost $48k, or nearly $9,000 more than its Volkswagen counterpart. Considering the impressive features and great performance you get with the ID.4, it is a fantastic overall value for a wide range of drivers.

Find Your Volkswagen ID.4 at Bud Clary Volkswagen