Volkswagen ID.5 Review 2024
Volkswagen ID.5 At A Glance
Impressive electric range of up to 313 miles. Well-rounded introduction to electric cars. Hardly any less practical than the ID.4.
The same frustrating infotainment as the ID.3 and ID.4. Pleasant but unexciting to drive. Prices start from more than £50,000.
There was a time when a coupe-SUV was a niche model, usually the preserve of premium brands like Audi and BMW. But now everyone's at it (look no further than the Renault Arkana, for example) – and now you can buy a sloped roofline version of the ID.4 electric SUV, badged the Volkswagen ID.5.
A new flagship for Volkswagen's electric ID range, the VW ID.5 is only available with the bigger 77kWh battery and a hefty £50,000 plus price tag. You do get an impressive range (up to 313 miles, depending on spec), while its coupe-SUV looks are arguably more attractive than the more functional Volkswagen ID.4.
As well as class-leading electric vehicles like the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, that puts it in the same league as premium alternatives like the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, Volvo C40 Recharge and Tesla Model Y.
The cabin isn't any posher than you'd get in an ID.4, unfortunately, which is bad news as there are more flimsy finishes than is really acceptable in an SUV costing between £50,000 and £60,000. It looks smart enough, though, although we have our usual concerns about the useability of things like the touch-sensitive climate control buttons.
It's well-equipped for the money, with all models getting a smart 12.0-inch infotainment display and a smaller digital driver's display behind the steering wheel. The Volkswagen ID.5 marks the introduction of the brand's 3.1 software, which includes a new intelligent electric vehicle route planner as well as a (slightly annoying) 'hello ID' voice control feature.
This software also allows the Volkswagen ID.5 to accept 135kW charging, which means you can add 200 miles of range in as little as half an hour. Combine that with the impressive range and the Volkswagen ID.5 is a desirable long-distance electric car.
You might expect the ID.5's coupe-SUV design to come at the expense of practicality, but it's actually pretty spacious inside. The seats are mounted pretty low, which means there's loads of headroom (for both front and rear passengers), while its 549-litre boot is actually marginally bigger than the ID.4's – on paper, at least.
The Volkswagen ID.5 is pretty anodyne to drive, even though the steering is artificially heavier than we're used to from VW. There are three key variants, with the majority of buyers expected to go for the ID.5 Pro. This is a rear-wheel-drive model, with a single electric motor providing 174PS and a pretty lacklustre 0-62mph time of 10.4 seconds.
Unless you're spending all your time in the city, we'd recommend upgrading to the ID.5 Pro Performance, with its 204PS electric motor giving it the ability to hit 62mph in a slightly livelier 8.3 seconds.
Topping the range is the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX, which is kind of intended to be an electric GTI model. We're pleased that VW hasn't given it a GTI badge, though – even with its twin electric motors giving the all-wheel-drive ID.5 a 6.3 second 0-62mph time, it's nowhere near as fun to drive as a Ford Mustang Mach-E or Kia EV6.
Much like the Volkswagen ID.4 on which it's based, the ID.5 struggles to stand out in a rapidly expanding segment. It's a perfectly good all-rounder, but its premium price tag makes it harder to forgive certain quirks such as the frustrating infotainment and below-par interior quality.
Reviews for Volkswagen ID.5's top 3 rivals
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Volkswagen ID.5 handling and engines
Volkswagen ID.5 2024: Handling and ride quality
Much like the ID.4, the Volkswagen ID.5 excels in feeling 'normal' to drive. It's not the kind of weird experience you might expect from an electric car – it just goes about its business with minimal fuss.
You can fiddle with the drive modes if you wish, while the ID.5 GTX Max comes with Volkswagen's Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptable suspension which can firm up the ride quality depending on your preference. This feature's available as an option on lesser models but we wouldn't necessarily bother – it's pretty comfortable on the standard suspension, without being too wallowy.
The ID.5's steering is pretty non-descript (even on the sporty GTX model), while even the rear-wheel-drive models don't feel as fun to drive as a Tesla Model Y or Kia EV6.
Despite the ID.5's fairly big dimensions, it's easy enough to drive while there's tech available to make things hassle-free. One cool new feature is the Park Assist Plus system which can learn your regular parking manoeuvres and perform them at the touch of a button – without you even inside the vehicle. You can jump out of the ID.5 as soon as you get home and let it park itself on your driveway, essentially.
A rocker switch behind the ID.5's steering wheel allows you to select 'B' mode, which ramps up the level of brake recuperation. This basically uses the electric motor to slow the car down, pumping energy back into the battery in the process. It's not as severe as many electric vehicles, though, and you'd struggle to resort to one-pedal driving around town. Again, another way in which the Volkswagen ID.5 feels surprisingly normal (for better or worse).
Volkswagen ID.5 2024: Engines
There are three different versions of the VW ID.5 to choose from. The most affordable Volkswagen ID.5 Pro uses a single motor driving the rear axle (that means it's rear-wheel drive) to produce 174PS. This is fairly relaxed as electric cars go, with 0-62mph acceleration of 10.4 seconds. It feels pretty punchy around town, though, with the electric motor providing instant get-up-and-go when you press the accelerator. Sure, performance tails off as the speed picks up, but it suits town driving.
The Volkswagen ID.5 Pro Performance uses a more powerful motor to provide 204PS and 0-62mph acceleration of 8.4 seconds. If you want electric thrills, though, you'll need the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Max. This uses a second electric motor on the front axle (so the GTX is all-wheel drive as standard) to produce a combined 299PS. It'll cover 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds, which is eager enough for a heavyweight SUV, but it still won't scamper away with quite as much urgency as a Tesla Model Y.
Volkswagen ID.5 2024: Safety
The Volkswagen ID.5 was awarded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP in 2022. Although exact UK specifications are yet to be confirmed, an autonomous emergency braking system is expected to be standard, as well as a lane-assist function.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTX 340 | - | 5.4 s | - |
| Pro Performance 286 | - | 6.7 s | - |
Volkswagen ID.5 interior
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4599 mm |
| Width | 2108 mm |
| Height | 1616 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2770 mm |
Volkswagen ID.5 2024: Practicality
Coupe-SUVs like the Volkswagen ID.5 usually represent a sacrifice in terms of practicality. Not so with the ID.5 – its boot is ever-so-slightly longer than the ID.4's, which means it can accommodate up to 549 litres of luggage (six litres more than the ID.4). That's up to the parcel shelf, though – the tapered roofline means, if you load it to the hilt, you'll be able to cram more into the regular ID.4.
The difference is minimal, though, and there's even plenty of room for passengers. There's loads of headroom for those in the back, and it's anything but claustrophobic. It'll feel a bit cramped with three adults sitting side by side (and you can't buy a seven-seat ID.5), but there's loads of legroom and a flat floor that doesn't eat into foot space.
Up front, the Volkswagen ID.5 feels positively spacious. You don't sit particularly high up (bad news if you want an elevated driving position), but that means you get an almost infinite amount of headroom. There are loads of useful cubbies, too, as well as usefully-large door bins.
Volkswagen ID.5 2024: Quality and finish
Start prodding around the cabin and the Volkswagen ID.5 just doesn't feel as upmarket as you'd expect for an SUV of this price. Sure, some of the plastics should withstand day-to-day life, but you get a sense that the development budget has been spent elsewhere.
Volkswagen ID.5 2024: Infotainment
The good news is that all Volkswagen ID.5 models come with a 12.0-inch touchscreen display positioned neatly on top of the dashboard where it's easy to glance at while on the move. You also get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, so you can mirror apps from your smartphone.
The bad news is it's not the most intuitive system to use. Some of the menu layouts are odd, while the latest 'Hello ID' voice command system is pretty unusable, based on our experience in an ID.5 launch car.
There are other irritating quirks. There are touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, which are all too easy to trigger accidentally while driving, and the touch-sensitive climate controls are equally annoying (especially if you wish to operate them at night – they're not backlit).
Volkswagen ID.5 value for money
Volkswagen ID.5 2024: Prices
Volkswagen ID.5 prices start from a shade over £50,500 for the Tech Pro model, while the more powerful ID.5 Tech Pro Performance is a smidgen under £52,000.
A Volkswagen ID.5 Max Pro will cost you around £54,000, while the ID.5 Max Pro Performance is an extra £1500.
The range-topping Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Max has a list price of nearly £59,000 from launch.
In terms of value for money, the Volkswagen ID.4 does more for less. Indeed, these prices put the ID.5 in the realm of some pretty desirable electric SUVs – cars like the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback and Volvo C40 Recharge are a similar price.
Volkswagen ID.5 2024: Running Costs
All Volkswagen ID.5 models come with a 77kWh battery pack, providing a range of up to 313 miles (depending on model). The ID.5 GTX Max is the least efficient, with an official range of 296 miles.
That certainly puts the ID.5 up there with the longest-range electric vehicles, with the ability to make light work out of long journeys. It can be charged at a rate of up to 135kW, too, which means a rapid charge will add 200 miles of range in just half an hour or so. Relying on the most convenient public chargers could cost you a pretty penny, though – expect to pay as much as 70p per kWh, which means a charge from 10 to 80 per cent could cost more than £30.
As with all electric cars, we'd recommend charging the Volkswagen ID.5 at home if possible. A 7hW charger can fully charge the ID.5 overnight (in around 12 hours) at a cost of £20 or so (depending on your home electricity tariff).
Charging costs aside, the Volkswagen ID.5 should be very cheap to run. Servicing costs will be low (there's no oil to change, for example), while you won't pay anything for the annual VED (vehicle excise duty – road tax).
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The Volkswagen ID.5 is available in three trim levels: Tech, Max, and the GTX Max.
Standard equipment across the ID.5 range includes a panoramic sunroof, ID.Light LED matrix headlights, LED tail lights, the Travel Assist semi-autonomous assistance system, an electric tailgate three-zone climate control, an augmented-reality head-up display and 12-way electrically adjustable ArtVelour microfleece seats with massage function.
Additional features on the Volkswagen ID.5 Max include 20-inch alloy wheels, sportier seats and the Sports Package Plus (with Dynamic Chassis Control with Driving Profile Selection and progressive steering). The ID.5 Max also features an energy-efficient heat pump.
With its dual-motor setup providing a boost in performance, the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Max is the sporty range-topper of the line-up. Externally, it's marked out by specific, sportily-styled bumpers with integrated lights, 20-inch ‘Ystad’ alloy wheels, while the roof frame and C-pillar are finished in glossy anthracite. The interior features exclusive seat upholstery with contrasting red stitching, dark blue leatherette door panels, GTX-branded door sill protectors, and GTX logos on the steering wheel and digital screens.
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4599 mm |
| Width | 2108 mm |
| Height | 1616 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2770 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 2110–2242 kg |
| Boot Space | - |
| Warranty | |
| Servicing | - |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £49,680–£62,530 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | Exempt |
| Official MPG | - |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
Currently on sale
| SUV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| GTX 340 4WD 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | - | - | 5.4 s |
| Match 286 Pro Performance 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | - | - | - |
On sale until April 2024
| SUV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| GTX Max 299 4WD 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | £62,530 | - | - |
| GTX Style 299 4WD 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | £55,515 | - | - |
| GTX Style 340 4WD 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | - | - | 5.4 s |
| Max 174 Pro 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | £57,665 | - | - |
| Max 204 Pro Performance 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | £59,140 | - | - |
| Style 174 Pro 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | £49,680 | - | - |
| Style 204 Pro Performance 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | £52,270 | - | - |
| Style 286 Pro Performance 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | - | - | 6.7 s |
| Tech 174 Pro 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | £50,495 | - | - |
| Tech 204 Pro Performance 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | £55,525 | - | - |
| Tech 286 Pro Performance 77kWh Battery Auto 5dr | - | - | 6.7 s |
Model History
- January 2022: Orders open for Volkswagen ID.5
- June 2022: Updated Volkswagen ID.5 line-up announced
- January 2024: Volkswagen ID.5 Match launched
- November 2023: Upgraded Volkswagen ID.5 prices start at £50,940
- November 2024: Volkswagen ID.5 Pure Match becomes new entry-level model, priced from £41,050
- November 2024: New Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Edition announced, priced from £53,705
January 2022
Orders open for Volkswagen ID.5
Volkswagen’s style-focused and luxuriously appointed ID.5 and ID.5 GTX are now available to order from UK dealers.
As the new flagship of the ID. family, Volkswagen says the ID.5 offers a striking yet elegant SUV-coupé body style, a sumptuously appointed interior and an equipment list that leaves very little to be added as an optional extra – all the latest innovations and luxuries offered by the brand come together in this newest addition to the Volkswagen line-up.
The ID.5 is available with only the largest battery pack from the Volkswagen line-up – a 77 kWh (net) unit, providing a range of up to 313 miles. With a maximum recharging capacity of 135 kW, the ID.5 has a charge time of as little as 29 minutes to 80% at a rapid charger, or at a rate of six minutes to recharge 62 miles. The new model is available with three power options – 174 PS Pro, 204 PS Pro Performance, and 299 PS GTX.
The ID.5 is available in three distinct trim levels, all of which are fitted with an impressive level of equipment: Tech, Max, and the 299 PS* GTX Max featuring a bespoke, stand-alone performance trim.
Every ID.5 variant is equipped with luxuries such as a panoramic sunroof; ID.Light LED matrix headlights; 3D-LED tail lights; the latest iteration of the Travel Assist semi-autonomous assistance system; an electric tailgate; 3-zone climate control; Volkswagen’s Augmented Reality Head-Up Display; and 12-way electrically adjustable ArtVelour microfleece seats with massage function. With an equipment list that would not appear out of place on a high-end luxury car, the ID.5 offers substance in addition to style, as well as typical Volkswagen quality and usability.
Over the entry-level Tech trim, the ID.5 Max gains additional features including 20-inch ‘Drammen’ alloy wheels; Top-Sport ‘Plus’ seats; and the Sports Package Plus, which incorporates Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) with Driving Profile Selection, and progressive steering for additional driver engagement. The ID.5 Max and GTX Max also benefit from an energy-efficient heat pump.
Expected to take around 15% of ID.5 sales is the ID.5 GTX Max – the second Volkswagen to wear the new GTX badge after the ID.4 GTX. This 299 PS electric performance vehicle provides swifter acceleration thanks to the higher power delivered by its dual-motor all-wheel drive system.
The ID.5 GTX is capable of a 112 mph top speed, where permitted, and a 0 to 62 mph sprint time of 6.3 seconds. Externally, the new model is marked out by specific, sportily-styled bumpers with integrated AFS lights; 20-inch ‘Ystad’ alloy wheels; and the roof frame and C-pillar finished in glossy anthracite. The interior features further refinements, such as exclusive seat upholstery with contrasting red stitching, dark blue leatherette door panels, GTX-branded door sill protectors, and GTX logos on the steering wheel and digital screens – all of which enhance the interior ambience of the model with a modern, sporting feel. The ID.5 GTX Max starts at £58,640 RRP OTR.
So comprehensive are the ID.5 specifications that the additional options list for the model is short, with only colours, wheels and carefully selected extras specifiable.
It is not just the ID.5’s equipment list, battery and motor that set it apart, either – the innate qualities of Volkswagen’s ID. family provide benefits beyond luxury and technology. These include the dedicated MEB electric vehicle platform that enables a compact footprint for the ID.5 relative to its expansive interior space; the capability to receive software updates, ensuring the user benefits from the latest improvements; a network of customer-focused retailers with product experts on hand for any query; and dependability assured by the Volkswagen roundels front and rear.
Another positive aspect of choosing an ID. model is that UK market cars are manufactured net carbon-neutral in Zwickau, Germany – a factory powered by renewable energy. Volkswagen has worked closely with suppliers, in particular battery-cell manufacturers, to ensure that they too use renewable energy. Unavoidable emissions are compensated through internationally recognised climate protection projects. As a result, the ID.5 is delivered to customers as a net carbon-neutral product according to the independent auditing body TÜV NORD, which examines the entire supply chain, manufacturing process and all logistics.
In addition to the ID.5’s focus upon design, and the model’s rakish, elegant coupé shape, practicality is high on the agenda, with generous headroom and a 549-litre boot capacity.
June 2022
Updated Volkswagen ID.5 line-up announced
The Volkswagen ID.5 has been updated with an additional trim level, available across all three of its powertrain variants. The ID.5 Style serves as the new entry-level derivative for the Pro, Pro Performance and GTX, starting at £49,735 for the 174 PS ID.5 Style Pro, and offers a comprehensive equipment list alongside a boost in value for the elegantly-styled, all-electric SUV-coupé.
The ID.5 Style expands the model’s trim line-up to five, and sits beneath the ID.5 Tech and ID.5 Max, while the ID.5 GTX Style slots in before the ID.5 GTX Max, as the entry-level model fitted with the GTX powertrain.
The Style follows the rest of the ID.5 range in offering a compelling equipment package, and as the entry-level model, leaves only a few items to be optionally specified. These include the energy efficient heat pump (£1,050); 3-pin mains charging cable (£190); Trailer Hitch (£890); and, over the other ID.5 models, the Infotainment Package Plus (£1,350), which adds the acclaimed augmented reality head-up display, as well as a Dynaudio digital sound package and subwoofer. A number of alternative alloy wheel designs and a vibrant array of paint colours can also be specified optionally, over the model’s standard Moonstone Grey paint and attractive 19-inch ‘Hamar’ wheels.
It is not just the ID.5’s equipment list, battery and motor that set it apart, either – the innate qualities of Volkswagen’s ID. family provide benefits beyond luxury and technology. These include the dedicated MEB electric vehicle platform that enables a compact footprint for the eye-catching ID.5 relative to its expansive interior space; the capability to receive software updates, ensuring the user benefits from the latest improvements; a network of customer-focused retailers with product experts on hand for any query; and dependability assured by the Volkswagen roundels front and rear.
Another positive aspect of choosing an ID. model is that UK market cars are manufactured net carbon-neutral in Zwickau, Germany – a factory powered by renewable energy. Volkswagen has worked closely with suppliers, in particular battery-cell manufacturers, to ensure that they too use renewable energy. Unavoidable emissions are compensated through internationally recognised climate protection projects. As a result, the ID.5 E SUV-coupé is delivered to customers as a net carbon-neutral product according to the independent auditing body TÜV NORD, which examines the entire supply chain, manufacturing process and all logistics.
Like other ID.5 models, the ID.5 Style is delivered with only the largest battery pack from the Volkswagen line-up – a 77 kWh (net) unit, providing a range of up to 316 miles. With a maximum recharging capacity of 135 kW, the whole ID.5 range has a charge time of as little as 29 minutes to 80% at a rapid charger, or at a rate of six minutes to recharge 62 miles. The new model is available with three power options – 174 PS Pro, 204 PS Pro Performance, and 299 PS GTX.
Francesca McGuinn, ID. Family Product Marketing Manager at Volkswagen UK, said: “The ID.5 is packed with every convenience, innovation and luxury that a customer might need, with only selected items on the optional extras list. That’s why it’s so exciting that the ID.5 Style has arrived, bringing with it a lower entry price for the model, but the same blend of sustainability, quality and head-turning style that mark out ID. models from their competitors.”
|
Model |
Price (RRP OTR) |
0-62 mph |
Top speed |
Range ( WLTP combined) |
|
ID.5 Style Pro (77 kWh, 174 PS) |
£49,735.00 |
10.4 sec |
99 mph |
316 miles |
|
ID.5 Tech Pro |
£53,165.00 |
10.4 sec |
99 mph |
313 miles |
|
ID.5 Max Pro |
£56,785.00 |
10.4 sec |
99 mph |
313 miles |
|
ID.5 Style Pro Performance |
£51,210.00 |
8.4 sec |
99 mph |
316 miles |
|
ID.5 Tech Pro Performance |
£54,640.00 |
8.4 sec |
99 mph |
313 miles |
|
ID.5 Max Pro Performance |
£58,260.00 |
8.4 sec |
99 mph |
313 miles |
|
ID.5 GTX Style |
£55,570.00 |
6.3 sec |
112 mph |
300 miles |
|
ID.5 GTX Max |
£61,650.00 |
6.3 sec |
112 mph |
296 miles |
January 2024
Volkswagen ID.5 Match launched
The Volkswagen ID.5 Match has additional equipment including metallic paint, electric tailgate, exterior pack and assistance pack.
November 2023
Upgraded Volkswagen ID.5 prices start at £50,940
Volkswagen has upgraded its electric ID.5, with prices starting from £50,940.
The ID.5 features a new infotainment system with a larger 12.9-inch screen, improved menu structure and controls including illuminated sliders for cabin temperature.
In addition, the optional augmented-reality head-up display has been enhanced, and Volkswagen has moved the driving mode selector to the steering column – as in the ID.7 – to create space for the larger infotainment display.
The previous Volkswagen Digital Sound Package has been replaced by a premium sound system from Harman Kardon, featuring 480 Watts of music output and 10 speakers. The Harman Kardon sound system is optional on the rear-wheel-drive Pro trims and standard on the 4MOTION GTX versions in the UK.
All ID.5 versions are powered by Volkswagen’s new APP550 drive unit. Introduced for the first time for the ID.7, it offers 286PS and reduced energy consumption. The ID.5 SUV coupé now has a range of up to 339 miles - an extra 11.8 miles.
The all-wheel-drive ID.5 GTX now delivers a system power of 340PS, up 41PS from before. Charging is faster, too, while Volkswagen has added an optional paint colour for all models apart from the GTX: Costa Azul blue metallic.
November 2024
Volkswagen ID.5 Pure Match becomes new entry-level model, priced from £41,050
Volkswagen has added a new entry level model to the ID.5 line-up. Called the ID.5 Pure Match, the new variant is powered by an entry-level 52kWh battery and 170PS electric motor, giving a range of up to 222 miles.
The battery can be charged at up to 145kW DC, meaning that charging from 10 to 80% should take 25 minutes.
Equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, a comfort package, rear-view camera, carpet mats and tinted windows.
Prices for the Pure Match start at £41,050 and orders open on 21 November.
November 2024
New Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Edition announced, priced from £53,705
Volkswagen has introduced a new top of the range ID.5 - the GTX Edition. Based on the existing GTX model, with its 340PS power output and 5.4-second 0-62mph time, the new GTX Edition offers significant amounts of standard equipment that would cost more to add as individual options.
In addition to existing GTX models, GTX Edition cars get metallic paint, an Assistance Pack Plus, which includes an area view camera, electric tailgate, IQ.Drive Travel Assist, Park Assist Plus, a memory feature for Park Assist and side assist, and the Interior Sport Pack Plus, which includes power-adjustable ergoActive comfort seats with massage function, integrated front head restraints and ArtVelours microfleece inserts.
VW claims that these features would normally cost around £6,500 when ordered as options. However, prices for the ID.5 GTX Edition start at £53,705, which is less than the £55,705 VW currently charges for the ID.5 GTX.
