Costs & verdict
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
Costs, insurance groups, MPG and CO2
The Volkswagen ID.5 comes with a comprehensive list of standard kit and can only be had with the range-topping 77kWh battery, so this naturally pushes the price of the base car beyond those of an entry-level Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6 and Volvo C40 Recharge. In other words, this is not a cheap coupe SUV. And while we should point out that the Tesla Model Y Long Range is more expensive still, that car is equally well equipped and significantly quicker.
Thankfully the ID.5 is predicted to hold its value well (although not quite as well as the Model Y) which should make for attractive leasing deals and PCP finance rates. And like all pure-electric cars, the ID.5 will cost you peanuts in company car tax.
Stepping up to Max trim gets you the heat pump as standard along with larger 20in wheels, adaptive suspension (DCC), progressive steering and drive-profile selection, while the range-topping GTX Max benefits from a bit of extra power, bolder looks and a sportier looking interior.
Reliability
The ID.5 is too new to have featured in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey but Volkswagen itself finished in 20th place (out of 30 brands). For context, Hyundai was joint third, Kia was ninth, BMW was 13th, Tesla was 15th and Ford was down in 27th place.
