Summary
Arriving in the UK in Spring 2022, the Volkswagen ID.5 is an upmarket all-electric coupé-SUV. The ID.5 range also includes a range-topping performance model – the ID.5 GTX.
The Volkswagen ID.5 is essentially a sleeker version of the ID.4 SUV – with a sloping roofline that reduces the car’s drag coefficient, which extends the range of the battery by a few miles. The ID.5 is powered by a 77kWh battery and a single electric motor, providing an official battery range of 313 miles.
While the ‘Pro’ and ‘Pro Performance’ trims offer power outputs of 172hp and 201hp respectively, the dual-motor ID.5 GTX model is significantly more powerful at 295hp, but reviewers are not all that impressed with the performance of models across the range.
What Car? asserts that the standard models “lack the instant punch you get from the Kia EV6 or the Tesla Model Y“, and that the ID.5 GTX would be “left for dead” in a straight-line sprint against the Tesla Model Y Performance or Volvo C40.
The majority of reviewers have criticised the coupé-SUV’s infotainment, which Carbuyer calls “needlessly confusing”, while Car concludes that, unless you like its exterior styling, there is no compelling reason to choose the ID.5 over cheaper alternatives – “The price simply doesn’t reflect this car’s dull dynamics and cheap-feeling interior.”
That said, most of these criticisms are reflections of how competitive the SUV market is at the moment. Described as “surprisingly spacious” by The Sunday Times, the ID.5 is still a practical car with plenty of on-board equipment included as standard and a competitive battery range. But as Driving Electric explains, “The ID.5 isn’t a class leader, for either driving experience or value.”
As of January 2024, the Volkswagen ID.5 holds an Expert Rating of 72%.
ID.5 highlights
- Nearly as practical as the ID.4
- Competitive battery range
- Comfortable driving experience
- Plenty of on-board tech
ID.5 lowlights
- Complicated infotainment
- Fiddly controls
- Interior trim cheap in places
- Expensive to buy outright
Key specifications
Body style: Medium coupé-SUV
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £52,185 on-road
Launched: Spring 2022
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.5 attempts to put a stylish spin on humble underpinnings, however its coupe-esque roofline writes cheques that the rest of the car simply cannot cash.”
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Model reviewed: ID.5 GTX
Score: 6 / 10
“Like the ID.4 GTX, this performance-trimmed ID.5 is lacking thrills. It isn’t too compromised in terms of practicality by its sportier shape, at least, but being only sold in ‘Max’ form, it’s expensive, and struggles to justify the price tag amidst some talented opposition.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.5 inherits both the ID.4’s good and not-so-good aspects, resulting in a fairly well-rounded electric SUV which isn’t too badly compromised by its sportier silhouette. It’s not a cheap option though, in a market that’s becoming more affordable and fielding greater consumer choice by the month.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Despite the sportier looks, the Volkswagen ID.5 isn’t much less practical than the ID.4. Topping the line-up is the GTX model, with all-wheel drive and more power. If you like that combination, you might be better off with the cheaper ID.4 GTX unless you really love the looks of the ID.5.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.5 is likeable, but an ID.4 is cheaper while rivals outside the group exhibit more charm and charge quicker.”
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Model reviewed: ID.5 GTX
Score: 7 / 10
“The closest-matched variant of the similarly sized Kia EV6 brings a touch more power to the table, a more dynamically rewarding chassis and roughly the same range for around £10,000 less.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: Tech 77 kWh Pro Performance
Score: 7 / 10
“Despite a few grumbles, the ID.5 has a fair amount going for it, from the point of view of someone who wants a comfortable family EV and isn’t overly concerned with driving dynamics.” (Sean Keywood)
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Unless you’re particularly enamoured by the way the ID.5 looks we can’t see a particularly compelling reason to choose it. The price of the higher trim levels simply doesn’t reflect this car’s dull dynamics, cheap-feeling interior or average performance.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Volkswagen’s needlessly complicated touchscreen and controls remain, and the material quality just isn’t as good as that in the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, Tesla Model Y or even the Kia EV6.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.5 is an electric family SUV with sleek and sporty, coupe-style looks. It’s pretty smooth to drive thanks to its electric power, but it feels cheap in places and isn’t quite as practical as an ID.4.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Like the ID.4, though, the Volkswagen ID.5 isn’t a class leader, for either driving experience or value.”
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Model reviewed: GTX
Score: 6 / 10
“VW’s latest high-performance electric car fails to deliver the thrills of more polished rivals, despite costing as much as or more than them in most cases.”
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.5 is a good-looking coupe version of the ID.4 SUV. The GTX version isn’t as sporty as promised, though, and rivals have a lot more performance.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Tech 77kWh Pro
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.5 is essentially a good car – all the basics are there: refinement, performance, comfortable ride, rear-wheel drive handling, decent driving range, and it’s spacious. The ID.5’s one main issue is that virtually all car controls are on the touchscreen without a user-friendly way to access all the controls.” (Paul Clarke)
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Volkswagen ID.5 combines a handy electric range with a surprisingly spacious interior and even the option of a sporty GTX-badged model. It’s comfortable rather than sporty, while impressive equipment levels go some way to justifying the relatively high list price.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“A stylish alternative to the Volkswagen ID.4, the ID.5 has an impressive range and a more practical cabin than you might expect. It’d make a solid introduction to the world of electric cars.”
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Move Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“There is much to recommend about the Volkswagen ID.5 although, for all its maker’s claims about charisma, it’s the practical, sensible aspects of the machine that shine through. Ultimately, despite what its swooping roofline hints at, the ID 5 is much like the ID 4 in sentiment: it’s more sensible than sensational.” (James Attwood)
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.6 / 10
“A Skoda Enyaq offers more space and a far nicer cabin, while the Kia EV6 has standout styling, a more dynamic drive and a dashboard that more effectively mixes form and function. If we seem rather down on the ID.5, it’s only a reflection of the strength of this car’s competition and how far electric SUVs have come in just a few short years.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“At upwards of around £52,000 there are a lot of other cars you could look at, though business users may find there are enough tax breaks to make an ID.5 an appealing choice.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: ID.5 Tech Pro
Score: 4 / 10
“Volkswagen might want you to believe this is the ID.4’s sportier, more stylish twin – but don’t believe the hype. The ID.5’s fancy frock is too easy to see through, and comes with far too high a price tag at that.” (Alex Robbins)
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The ID.4’s electric powertrain remains a compelling package that VW has put together, but it suffers by association with an infotainment system that still has enough inherent flaws to make it bothersome.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen ID.5 is a good all-rounder that comes with plenty of kit, a decent range and an excellent safety score. However, rivals including the Genesis GV60, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y and Volvo C40 Recharge are faster, smarter inside, have much better infotainment systems and take less time to charge.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: March 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 85%
The Volkswagen ID.5 coupé-SUV and the Volkswagen ID.4 SUV have an identical front end and the same list of safety equipment. Therefore, Euro NCAP says that the crash test rating they awarded the ID.4 also stands for the ID.5, including an excellent adult protection score of 93%, and an impressive safety assistance technology score of 85%.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: Pro Performance Electric RWD Automatic
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: June 2023
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 9.4 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 9.6 / 10
This five-star rating above only applies to the ‘Pro Performance’ grade model, which is the range-topping 201hp version. It does not directly apply to the lead-in 172hp ‘Pro’ model, but both share the same 77kWh battery pack.
Reliability rating
As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen ID.3 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusive from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as we have sufficient data on the ID.3, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
EV models | 323 miles | A | 296 – 327 miles | A – A |
Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
EV models | 4.2 m/KWh | B | 3.8 – 4.2 m/KWh | B – C |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 33 | C | 29 – 50 | C – F |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £212 | B |
Year 2 | £431 | A |
Year 3 | £721 | A |
Year 4 | £894 | A |
Year 5 | £1,200 | A |
Overall | £3,458 | A |
The Volkswagen ID.5 scores highly across the board when it comes to running costs, according to data supplied by our partners Clear Vehicle Data.
Its battery range and efficiency is very good when compared to the market as a whole, and the car’s five-year service and maintenance costs are rather affordable when compared to other electric cars of its size. Insurance costs are average.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volkswagen ID.5, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q4 e-tron | Citroën ë-C4 | DS 3 Crossback E-Tense | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia e-Niro | Kia EV6 | Lexus UX Electric | Mazda MX-30 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | MG ZS EV | Peugeot e-2008 | Polestar 2 | Skoda Enyaq | Vauxhall Mokka-e | Volvo C40
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Volkswagen ID.5 at The Car Expert
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