Test drive of the Volkswagen ID.5 Pro Performance and VW ID.5 GTX, we analyze their 10 strong points

The ID range of Volkswagen keeps growing, and it also keeps improving; perhaps the latter is what stands out most in the new Volkswagen ID.5, a vehicle that draws on the brand’s experience with electric cars and creates an MPV with coupé-style looks and a theoretical range of 532 km.

We analyze the 10 strong points of this electric car which has been on the market for a short time, but comes loaded with reasons to be a good alternative for those looking for space, design and range.

1. Large MPV with coupé-style looks and sporty design

The first key point of the ID.5 is its huge interior space (a feature it shares with the ID.4), but with a more eye-catching and sporty exterior. In the front seats, where the quality of the finishes stands out, the sensation is of sitting at the wheel of an MPV (the kind that has disappeared, devoured by the SUV trend). Few electric cars on the market have such a sense of interior spaciousness, while also standing out for practical details to leave our belongings.

While the exterior design is sporty, with the characteristic coupé-style rear and very refined aerodynamic efficiency that gives it a drag coefficient of 0.26 Cx.

2. Spacious rear seats, despite being a coupé

The space in the rear seats is typical of a large saloon, with more than enough legroom. Being electric, there is no transmission tunnel getting in the way, which means more space in the rear centre seat.

It is true that headroom is compromised by the coupé design, but a person of 1.75 metres will travel comfortably in the rear seats, without the roofline cramping the space.

3. ergoActive seats, a highly recommended extra

Among the optional equipment, there is a highly recommended pack, the “Style Plus” (1,360 euros), which includes, among other things, ergoActive seats that provide outstanding comfort, even when you cover more than 600 km -as was our case-. Seats that fit the body well without being sports seats, but that remain comfortable as the hours pass at the wheel of the ID.5.

The rest of the pack also includes: front lumbar support, massage function on the front seats, central front seat bands and outer rear seats in “ArtVelours” microfibre, screen border of the infotainment system and central controls in “Electric White”, configurable interior ambient lighting in 30 colours, asymmetrically split and folding rear bench backrest with central armrest, electric exterior mirrors and a multifunction leather steering wheel, heated and with touch control.

4. Surprising dynamics with its 204 CV

The Volkswagen ID.5 is available in two versions: 204 and 299 CV (with all-wheel drive and two motors). We tested the 204 CV version, and although it is not a sports car nor does it aim to be, it has more than enough power for everyday use, or for cruising on motorways at more than adequate speeds.

Thanks to the driving modes (and the adaptive DCC suspension, optional), we can improve the dynamics and achieve better handling, since its dimensions and weight are not exactly light. It surprises with its dynamism, and we recommend the adaptive suspension for those who want sportiness.

5. Sit down, select the gearbox and off we go

A very striking feature of the entire ID range is how easy it is to get going, although it has a start button, we almost never touch it. With keyless access, you simply sit down and select “D” or “R” on the gearbox and the ID.5 will set off.

At first it can feel a little “strange“, but when we get into another car we miss how easy and simple it is to start. The same happens when we want to switch off the car: just select “P” mode and the handbrake is applied automatically.

6. Interior minimalism

This feature of the ID.5 is again shared with the rest of the ID range, and at times I am not sure whether it is a strong point or something to improve. But it must be acknowledged that it is very personal, so we include it in this analysis.

All the car’s information is controlled from a minimal instrument screen (cruise control information, speedometer, battery and gearbox). The rest of the information is on the central screen, with the on-board computer menus and so on.

7. Outstanding interior insulation

A feature typical of premium saloons or SUVs is interior insulation, and in this Volkswagen ID.5 you can tell that the German brand has worked conscientiously on this aspect. On the motorway the interior noise level is very low, and in general there is barely any road or wind noise inside.

Driving an electric car which, besides not emitting noise, gives us a comfortable and silent cabin atmosphere, is something that improves on-board comfort.

8. Moderate consumption and range of up to 532 km

The VW ID.5 has a 77 kWh usable battery, a generous figure for achieving good range on the motorway or long journeys, as well as for day-to-day use.

On the motorway at 120 km/h on the Madrid > Vigo route, consumption was 21 kWh per 100 km, a reasonable figure that lets us cover up to 350 km on a single charge; in fact, we did Benavente > Vigo without stopping.

On country roads consumption drops to 17-18 kWh per 100 km, driving carefree and not very efficiently. Driving efficiently we can get down to about 15-16 kWh per 100 km, which would give us a range exceeding 400 km.

9. Excellent lighting, with the optional IQ. Light headlights

The “Matrix LED” headlights stand out for the good lighting they provide, adapting to the road and keeping the widest possible beam without dazzling other drivers. As a curious detail, when we unlock the car at night, the headlight lights up with a welcome movement.

10. 450 W with six speakers

As a final point, an especially relevant aspect for those of us who enjoy music and quality sound systems: the sound system with 6 speakers, a 12-channel digital amplifier, subwoofer and a total output of 450 W. It is not standard, but it is very, very recommended.

The Volkswagen ID.5 is available from a price of 53,185 euros, while our test unit had an approximate price of 59,435 euros.

Is the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX better?

To complete the analysis of the new Volkswagen ID.5 we have also tested its sportier and more powerful version, namely the GTX with 299 CV and two electric motors that provide all-wheel drive.

Externally there are few changes compared with the standard ID.5 (just a redesigned bumper and daytime running lights); inside, the sports seats (optional) stand out, offering good support with an eye-catching design, although I found the standard ID.5’s seats more comfortable.

The difference lies in the engine, which increases the power to 299 CV and gives it all-wheel drive. The GTX is a much faster, sportier and more fun car than the standard version.

It accelerates strongly, gains speed quickly and has sublime interior insulation, which lets us cruise at high speeds comfortably and stably, with the only limit being its weight and dimensions. These impose certain inertias (also present in the standard version), yet it is still more dynamic than one would expect from an SUV.

Another distinguishing detail is the all-wheel drive, with a specific traction mode, which can be useful on tracks, low-grip surfaces or snow (with specific tyres).

The starting price of the ID.5 GTX is 62,280 euros, that is, almost 9,000 euros more than the 204 CV engine of the standard ID.5. An extra cost that is not justified unless we are specifically looking for a sporty touch in an electric car, because that is where the GTX makes its mark.

In my opinion, both the Volkswagen ID.3 and this ID.5 are among the most balanced electric cars on the market in terms of size, performance, range and overall quality. There are other, more expensive models of similar dimensions that do not have the ride quality of this VW ID.5.

Photos | Test team and Diego G. Moreira