2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The Crosstrek applies the successful formula of the Subaru Outback to a smaller vehicle. Like the Outback, the Crosstrek is an ordinary car that gets a raised ride height and plastic body cladding to make it look like an SUV, plus standard all-wheel drive. But while the Outback is based on the Subaru Legacy, the Crosstrek is a derivative of the Subaru Impreza.

Subaru launched the Crosstrek for the 2013 model year as a replacement for the Outback Sport. The current Crosstrek was introduced for the 2018 model year as the second generation of the model.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is the same basic vehicle as before, but gets a handful of notable updates. In Canada, new Outdoor trim level joins the previous Convenience, Touring, and Sport, and Limited trim levels, and a 2.5-litre engine is now available alongside the previous 2.0-litre engine. The 2021 Crosstrek also gets an upgraded version of Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance system.

The “Dieselgate” emissions scandal forced Volkswagen to double down on electric cars, and now we’re finally seeing the first result of that: the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 electric crossover.

VW has made an electric car before, but its last attempt, the e-Golf, was built to satisfy emissions standards, not rack up sales. It was barely advertised, and it was sold only in certain locations. With the ID.4, it will launch in the three largest Canadian EV markets—British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario—and will even be built in North America, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, starting in 2022. Volkswagen views the ID.4 as a rival not to other EVs, but to mainstream gasoline vehicles like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Being late to the party means there are already several other EVs trying to coax new-car buyers away from internal combustion, however. If you want a reasonably priced EV, the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Kia Niro EV already exist, and General Motors has the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV—a new variant of the Chevy Bolt EV with a crossover body style similar to the Volkswagen.

Our test car was an ID.4 1st Edition, a U.S.-only model released to commemorates the car’s launch. Its closest Canadian equivalent is the ID.4 RWD Pro with the Statement Package.