Volkswagen ID 5 review

Nothing beats a bold new hairstyle for an instant transformation – just a few inches off the top can give you a new lease of life. Take this Volkswagen ID 5, for example.

The ID 5 is basically a VW ID 4 that's had a buzzcut to create a sportier-looking coupé electric SUV. Indeed, underneath it uses the same platform as the ID 4, the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron and the Skoda Enyaq Coupé.

Unlike the Enyaq Coupé, you can have the ID 5 with a choice of two batteries, either 52kWh or 77kWh, giving you the option of keeping costs down if a long range isn’t important to you. Speaking of which, with a range that varies from around 280 miles to over 340 miles, there should be a version to suit most electric car users. 

But is the ID 5 a viable option compared with the best electric SUVs, including the Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y and Volvo EC40? Read on to find out...

Most VW ID 5s come with one electric motor, and power varies from 168bhp if you go for the entry-level 52kWh battery to 282bhp if you go for the larger 77kWh battery. Both are really spritely, with official 0-62mph sprints of 8.9 seconds and 6.7 seconds respectively, but neither is a match for the Tesla Model Y.

Of course, range depends on which battery you choose. For many, the ID 5 Pure Match’s official figure of 227 miles will be enough, but even that doesn’t match the 63kWh Kia EV6. The ID 5 Pro Match has the longest range at 344 miles. That’s about the same as an entry-level Skoda Enyaq Coupé and more than the Model Y RWD, but way behind the Model Y Long Range RWD. 

Those after pace will want the range-topper, the performance-focused ID 5 GTX. It gets an extra electric motor, a 79kWh battery and a power increase to 335bhp. As a result, its range drops to 327 miles but so does its 0-62mph sprint – with its 5.4 second sprint beating all but the fastest Model Y and Volvo EC40 off the line.

The ID 5 is relatively comfortable, but there are plenty of smoother-riding rivals, including the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, Genesis GV60, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Volvo EC40.

You’re jostled around a bit at slower speeds and the ride struggles to settle down if you option the big 21in alloy wheels. All versions except the GTX come with 19in wheels as standard, which are more forgiving over larger bumps and potholes than the Model Y.

It’s also much better than the unsettled Ford Mustang Mach-E, especially the sportier ID 5 GTX version, which comes with adaptive suspension – called DCC – as standard. That system lets you choose different settings, from softer Comfort through to a firmer Sport mode, at the touch of a button.

Even in GTX form the ID 5 isn’t a particularly engaging car to drive but it is composed and capable by electric SUV standards.

The steering, for example, is progressive as you begin to turn into a corner and it’s easy to judge where the nose is heading. It weights up a bit too much past a quarter of a turn but it won't strain your arms in a tight car park.

There’s plenty of grip, and body movements are far better controlled than in the Mustang Mach-E and Model Y. That makes driving the ID 5 a calmer, more harmonious experience. If you want something more fun and agile, try the Kia EV6.

There’s next to no noise from the ID 5's electric motor around town, except an audible pedestrian warning sound. Likewise, at speed, wind noise is quite well contained and road noise is fairly hushed providing you avoid the optional 21in wheels.

Even so, the Q4 e-tron Sportback, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and EV6 are all more peaceful, producing less road noise and also thumping less when tackling bumpy roads and potholes.

As with most electric VW’s, we wish the ID 5’s brakes were a little more progressive. You see, the pedal has quite a long travel, making slowing down smoothly more difficult. Regenerative braking helps to slow you down a little when you ease off and you can vary the level, but the effect is never as powerful the one-pedal driving that's possible with a Model Y or EC40.

"You can change the GTX’s adjustable suspension by using a slider, which goes from very soft to very firm. I like the amount of adjustability that gives it but you’ll likely want to avoid the extreme ends of the scale." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Let’s start with the good bits. The VW ID 5's driver's seat is supportive through corners and has adjustable lumbar support as standard – manual with Match trim and electrically adjustable on higher trims.

The steering wheel extends a good amount for height and reach, and the pod for the digital driver's display moves with it so you can always see it.

Sadly, usability is where the ID 5 falls down. There are no physical buttons other than the ones on the steering wheel. Indeed, turning up the air-con requires you to either use the touchscreen or touch-sensitive sliders on the dashboard, which are a bit of a faff. They are, at least, backlit now (they weren't on earlier ID 5s).

Thanks to cut-outs in the ID 5’s highly raked windscreen, you have plenty of visibility out at junctions. Likewise, your view sideways is fine. 

The ID 5’s tapering roofline and thick rear pillars conspire to obscure your over-the-shoulder view, though. There are small windows in those pillars though, so you get much more visibility than in a Volvo EC40.

The small back window hinders your rearward view but you do get front and rear parking sensors, a Park Assist Plus system and a rear-view camera. For great vision at night, powerful matrix LED headlights are standard with the larger battery.

The ID 5's infotainment touchscreen measures 12.9in and sits high up on the dashboard where it’s easy to read when you're driving. In earlier versions of the ID 5 the operating system was poor but the current set-up is much better.

Indeed, its interface is more straightforward, with permanent shortcuts at the top of the page, and is much less buggy. It’s still not as good as the system in the Kia EV6 or Tesla Model Y but it’s an improvement.

Sat-nav is standard across the range, as is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. The ID 5 was the first Volkswagen to feature USB-PD (Power Delivery) ports, which can charge laptops and other larger devices at up to 45W.

Considering the ID 5’s not insubstantial list price, its interior is a little underwhelming. There are more hard plastics than you’ll find in a Model Y and build quality is only slightly better than in the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

As an example, the trim inserts on the dash look a bit like aluminium but are actually hollow strips of plastic.

If you’re in the market for a similarly priced coupé electric SUV with a plush interior, consider the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, Genesis GV60 or Volvo EC40.

"Due to the slightly annoying touch-sensitive controls and dependence on the touchscreen, I ended up using the IDA voice assistant quite a lot. It can do things like change the air conditioning for you, but it’s a tad hit and miss." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

There are cars that offer a little bit more front leg room and have broader interiors than the VW ID 5 but it doesn't leave you short of space. In fact, even though it's not the biggest electric SUV you can buy, it’s still fine if you’re more than 6ft tall.

Storage space is good too. There are sizeable door bins, handy-sized trays and cubbies in the centre console, and a glovebox.

One major difference between the ID 5 and the VW ID 4 can be found in the back. The ID 5’s coupé silhouette and low, sloping roofline reduces the amount of rear head room considerably – as does the addition of the Black Edition and GTX’s standard-fit panoramic roof.

The result is that back-seat passengers over 6ft tall will find their hair brushing the roof. If someone sits in the middle rear seat, they'll enjoy a flat floor with no hump to put their feet on, but get less head room because the middle seat is higher. They’d be far happier in the back of a Nissan Ariya or Tesla Model Y – or, indeed, an ID 4.

On a more positive note, you get plenty of elbow and leg room, and the high mounting position of the front seats gives you room to stick your feet under them. As per the front, rear passengers get reasonably big door bins, along with cupholders in the central armrest.

All ID 5s have 60/40 split folding seatbacks, which is a fairly standard set-up among SUVs (although the Model Y gets a more versatile 40/20/40 split).

You do, at least, get a ski hatch, making it easier to feed long items through from the boot and without sacrificing one of the outer rear seats.

The ID 5’s rear seats don’t do anything else particularly clever – for example, they don't recline as they do in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

Curiously, the slinkier ID 5 has a slightly bigger boot below the load cover than the ID 4. At 549 litres, its boot capacity beats its stablemate by about six litres. We managed to fit nine carry-on suitcases into the ID 4 boot, so in theory the ID 5 should take the same with space for a soft bag.

For comparison, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, EV6 and Ioniq 5 managed seven carry-on cases. The Model Y can take 10 cases, split between its front and rear boots. 

The ID 5 has a height-adjustable boot floor as standard. In its highest setting, there's no step up to the folded-down seats, making it easier to slide in big heavy loads. It also lets you keep the charging cable beneath the floor, away from your luggage.

All ID 5’s come with an electrically operated tailgate as standard.

"I find it a shame that the ID 5 doesn’t have a frunk under its bonnet, even if just for cable storage. At least the boot is quite large to make up for it." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

The VW ID 5 with the smaller battery option will cost you less than all its competitors except the entry-level Kia EV6. Going for the 77kWh version pushes up the cost, setting you back around the same as the Tesla Model Y RWD and more than the entry-level Ford Mustang Mach-E. It’s still cheaper than the Volvo EC40 though.

Thankfully, the ID 5 is likely to hold its value well (although not quite as well as the Model Y), so you should be able to find an attractive leasing or PCP deal. Like all electric cars it will be very cheap to run as a company car.

All ID 5s have a maximum charging speed of up to 145kW, meaning that a 10-80% top up will take about 25 minutes. That sounds rather impressive – until you consider that the EV6 can charge at up to 235kW and the Model Y at up to 250kW. The Model Y gives you full access to the Tesla Supercharger network.

Every ID 5 comes with lots of standard equipment, with even the entry-level Pure Match getting 19in alloy wheels, heated front seats, keyless entry and start, adaptive cruise control and other kit. That version is only available with the smaller battery though, so you’ll need at least Pro Match if you want the extra range.

Along with the bigger battery, that trim also adds matrix LED headlights, an electric tailgate and extra parking aids. Above that sits the Pro Black Edition, adding electric front seats with a massage function, some styling tweaks inside and out and a panoramic glass roof.  

At the top of the pile sits the GTX, which gets sportier styling, 20in wheels, sports suspension and an augmented-reality head-up display. Of course, the main draw of the GTX is the extra performance that you get from its additional electric motor.

The ID 5 did not feature in our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey but Volkswagen finished in 18th place out of 31 brands, which is not all that impressive.

The ID 5’s battery warranty lasts for eight years, 100,000 miles and the rest of the car is warranted for three years, 60,000 miles. That's similar to most rivals but the EV6 comes with a warranty that stretches to seven years, 100,000 miles.

The ID 5's safety features are respectable for the class. It comes with automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, a driver fatigue monitor, eCall emergency response and traffic-sign recognition.

All models come with the Assistance pack, which comprises of the Park Assist Plus and a system that works with AEB to prepare occupants for an accident.

Safety experts Euro NCAP gave the ID 5 the highest rating, five stars, and it did well for child-occupant protection in particular. For adult protection it was slightly behind the Skoda Enyaq but better than the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

"Thanks to the amount of standard equipment on offer and the ID 5’s slow depreciation, it seems like pretty good value to me if you stick to the Match versions." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

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