The Fiat 500e has loads more charm than a Model 3.

Fiat 500s were never really “logical” choices in the US; they were always on the pricey side considering the size of the car; they’re in the same niche as Mini Coopers here; they aren’t cheap for their size, they aren’t very practical, but they are fun to drive, and the personality and charm they have is hard to find anywhere else, and that’s why people get them.

Getting a car like a Fiat 500 is more of a heart decision than a brain decision, and I get that, not everything in life has to be logical if it makes you happy.

The Fiat 500e has loads more charm than a Model 3.

Fiat 500s were never really “rational” choices in the US; they were always on the pricey side considering the size of the car; they’re in the same niche as Mini Coopers here; they aren’t cheap for their size, they aren’t very practical, but they are fun to drive, and the personality and charm they have is hard to find anywhere else, and that’s why people get them.

Getting a car like a Fiat 500 is more of a heart decision than a brain decision, and I get that, not everything in life has to be logical if it makes you happy.

In terms of the semi-autonomous highway driving system, Pilot Assist, I haven’t heard the best things about it, at least in the current Volvo models. Ping-pong-y driving, doesn’t handle curves great and deactivates without warning often. Tesla Autopilot, VW Travel Assist, GM SuperCruise and Ford BlueCruise all seem to be superior.

In terms of the other driver assist systems (auto brake, lane keep, etc.) Volvo seems to be just as good as the rest.

I’d say, at least with the prerefresh, the price-to-range ratio just wasn’t good; 223 miles of rated range for $50k+, and it didn’t charge particularly great to make up for the lack of range either.

I really like the rest of the car, though; practically all of my experience with it has been very positive. I think the range improvements for the 2024 model year fix its most glaring issue, as well as improvements to the charging, but charging improvements are only for the RWD model in the US for whatever reason, these updates make it a great overall car.

The ID.4 stops from 60-0 in 119 feet vs. 126 feet on a Tiguan that is lighter and has all-around disc brakes, so the drum brakes don’t really affect braking performance. I never once felt that they were insufficient in our ID.4.

Along with all the benefits u/Infinityaero listed, drum brakes create less drag, and therefore more regen can be done on the rear axle compared to an EV with rear disc brakes.

The ID.4 system is painfully average, until the refresh, it’s the same stereo in every trim, a 7 speaker system. I don’t know how it compares to the base IONIQ 5 system, but I know the Bose in the IONIQ 5 is better.

Heads Up Display

I genuinely don’t mind the sliders in the ID.4; I got used to them really quickly. The controls on the steering wheel can just be used as regular buttons, and the center sliders are self-explanatory: left temperature, volume, and right temperature. Although it’s annoying that they’re not illuminated, I got the muscle memory down pretty much immediately.

The software has also been significantly improved since launch; I wouldn’t say it’s more or less responsive or reliable than Hyundai’s software, plus it has the benefit of wireless CarPlay/AA and better route planning.

Also, apparently in the IONIQ 5 for 2024, the nicer interior is exclusive to the Limited only and got cut from the SEL without a major price cut. Hyundai seems to be making the SEL trim worse every year, first cutting the better exterior lighting from the 2023 model year and then cutting a bunch of features from it, including the better interior, for the 2024 model year, which is really disappointing because the initial 2022 IONIQ 5 SEL was a pretty good value for the features you got.

The better charging is undeniable, though. The 800V system is a big benefit for the e-GMP vehicles, and the charging speed is some of the best out there, especially in its class. Range is good too, but not as big a benefit compared to its rivals compared to its charging performance.

Well, the fact is, the IONIQ 5 isn’t “widely more popular than the ID.4"; maybe in your area in Canada it is, but looking at the sales numbers, in the US, the IONIQ 5 sold 25,306 units, and the ID.4 edged it out, selling 27,155 units in the first three quarters of this year. Worldwide, that gap gets even larger, with Hyundai selling 59,793 IONIQ 5 units and Volkswagen selling 101,200 ID.4/5 units in the first half of this year. I can’t find specific sales data for Canada, but overall, ID.4 seems to be the more popular of the two.

I think both the IONIQ 5 and ID.4 are excellent EVs though, I prefer and bought the ID.4 over the IONIQ 5 because it has a higher quality feeling interior; I do agree that the IONIQ 5 feels too cheap for what you’re paying, the e-GMP twin EV6 is a bit better though; the ID.4 is also more comfortable, has more standard content (at least in the US) has an amazing turning circle, has a cheaper MSRP than the IONIQ 5, much better dealer network (at least around me), and qualifies for the tax credit, but the IONIQ 5 has the benefit of being on an 800V architecture and therefore has blistering charging speeds; although the ID.4 with the SK battery is no slouch either, one of the best charging 400V in it’s class, but the IONIQ 5 charges undoubtedly better; the IONIQ 5 also has more available options for example a HUD, more physical buttons, slightly more range and more unique styling (whether you like or not is up to you, I personally like it).

Personally, I don’t think you can go wrong with either.

Except Volkswagen outsells both Hyundai and Kia when it comes to BEVs by a significant margin.