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Volkswagen is one of Tesla’s greatest international rivals in the EV space. The German automaker produces several electric vehicles and has plans to roll out plenty of others in the next few years. Models like the ID. Buzz will challenge the way consumers think about EVs. How does VW’s popular small electric SUV compare to the most popular electric SUV in the world, the Tesla Model Y?

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Standard sets the standard

A gray 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 small electric SUV is driving on the road.
The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 | Volkswagen

Tesla may still be the new kid on the block in many ways in the industry, but it’s a pioneer in the electric vehicle space. Now that EVs have become less of a niche market and more ubiquitous, most major automakers are making the push to electrify portfolios.

Many brands claim that at least 40% of the models they produce will be electric vehicles by 2030. There’s no telling whether or not those brands count PHEVs as electric vehicles as well. However, either way, Tesla is inevitably going to lose market share as more competitors emerge.

Tesla’s EVs dominated the competition up until recently when rivals from some of the world’s most popular automakers became available The Volkswagen ID.4 small electric SUV took the world by storm. The ID.4 did exceptionally well on its home turf in Europe. It hasn’t quite made the same impact in the United States yet, but it has all the makings of a popular small electric SUV.

Aside from the vehicle itself, Volkswagen has also made huge strides in developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. VW’s company Electrify America is becoming one of the biggest names in electric vehicle charging. So, what’s so great about the Volkswagen ID.4, and how does it stack up against the Tesla Model Y?

Is the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 a good SUV?

A red 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 small electric SUV is driving on the road.
The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 | Volkswagen

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Standard base model starts at $38,995. It’s one of the most affordable small electric SUVs on the market. The ID.4 Standard with SK ON Battery configuration makes 145 horsepower. It gets 209 miles of driving range.

The ID.4’s base model isn’t very powerful, and it doesn’t have much driving range, but as far as starter EVs go, the Volkswagen ID.4 is one of the best options on the market for the money.

The Volkswagen ID.4 nails the fundamentals of an electric vehicle in the eyes of many critics and experts. Cars.com praises its smooth ride, cabin space, and quick charging rate (for Level 2 chargers). The small electric SUV is available in a whopping eight configurations. The brand offers different battery options for consumers as well that produce different driving ranges.

2023 Tesla Model Y vs. 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Standard

A black 2023 Tesla Model Y is parked.
The 2023 Tesla Model Y | Tesla

Tesla recently reintroduced its base model small electric SUV after a long hiatus. Prior to the return of the base model, Tesla was only selling the Model Y Long Range and Model Y Performance configurations.

The 2023 Tesla Model Y base starts at $49,990. It gets about 269 miles of driving range and can go from 0-60 miles per hour in just five seconds. The Model Y is quick and has great driving range.

The best ID.4 matchup for the base model Tesla Model Y is the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S with LG Battery. It makes 201 horsepower and gets 275 miles of range. Ultimately, the 2023 Tesla Model Y is the more exciting small electric SUV. The more practical small electric SUV between the two models is up for debate.

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