2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

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.

The 2022 Kia Sportage is a stylish, sophisticated, safe, and–with its available turbocharged engine–speedy SUV. Kia hasn't redesigned it since 2017, but that doesn't mean you should cross it off of your shopping list. Even the technology is up to date.

Compact in size, the 2022 Sportage comes in LX, LX Nightsky, EX, EX Premium S, and SX trim levels with front- or all-wheel drive. LX Nightsky trim is new, replacing the LX S version for 2022. The Sportage EX gains a standard panoramic sunroof for 2022.

In Canada, MSRP ranges from $25,995 to $40,195, plus a destination charge of $1,850. Our test vehicle for this review was an SX, which comes with the turbocharged engine and standard AWD and was also equipped with a cargo mat and a tow hitch. The sticker price came to $42,746, including destination (Canadian, estimated). (A U.S. model is shown; the exterior colour on the test unit is not available in Canada, where the SX comes only with red, white, grey, or black paint.)