2025 Volkswagen ID.5 evaluation | CarExpert

Volkswagen Australia has gone from having no electrical SUVs in its vary to releasing two brand-new ones concurrently within the hottest gross sales phase, with the arrival of the brand new Volkswagen ID.5.

Not solely is the 2025 Volkswagen ID.5 GTX spearheading VW Passenger Automobiles’ EV rollout in Australia, it’s additionally the primary coupe-style SUV from the German model to make it Down Underneath.

For a very long time the SUV ‘coupe’ development was restricted to premium and luxurious manufacturers – suppose BMW and Mercedes-Benz – however we’re seeing extra of this manner issue within the quantity segments now, with Renault and Chinese language manufacturers like GWM main the cost.

The ID.5 is strictly what it seems like: a sleeker model of the ID.4 with which it shares its MEB EV platform with. It’s launching solely in dual-motor, all-wheel drive performance-oriented GTX trim, although a extra attainable ‘Professional’ variant fitted with the ID.4 Professional’s single-motor electrical drivetrain is coming later this yr.

WATCH: Paul’s worldwide drive evaluation of the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 GTX

VW Australia has taken lots of bullets for being so late to the EV social gathering, and whereas it’s past fashionably late the delay has allowed the German model’s native division to barter a lot sharper pricing with its international guardian, and place its new merchandise within the thick of key competitors.

The ID.4 Professional, for instance, is as reasonably priced because the Chinese language-built Tesla Mannequin Y RWD regardless of hailing from Zwickau, Germany. And the ID.5 GTX is an analogous story in being inside attain of the Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary AWD and even the associated Cupra Tavascan VZ with the identical drivetrain – each assembled in China relatively than Europe.

What does that imply? Properly European-made vehicles are topic to import tariffs in Australia, in contrast to rivals made in varied Asian nations. Additional, we’re getting the most recent iterations of each the ID.4 and ID.5, which profit from quite a few upgrades to the powertrain, batteries and software program.

The ID.4 and ID.5 are going exhausting on worth relatively than being outright ‘low-cost’, mixing the European model’s refined and mature on-road manners with the identical infotainment and driver help tech you’ll discover in a VW Golf or Tiguan.

Within the case of the GTX, it debuts the brand new efficiency car badging of the ID vary, which claims to deliver the ‘essence of GTI’ with it.

Does it ship on these fronts? Principally sure – learn on to seek out out why.

How does the Volkswagen ID.5 evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Volkswagen ID.5 in opposition to equally sized autos.

Volkswagen

ID.5

How a lot does the Volkswagen ID.5 value?

The GTX is the only real ID.5 variant accessible for now, alongside the ID.4 Professional wagon, and is priced from $72,990 plus on-road prices. A extra reasonably priced ID.5 Professional will likely be launched within the latter phases of 2025, possible priced within the low-$60,000 bracket.

The ID.5 GTX instructions a $13,000 premium over the ID.4 Professional, although the ID.4 GTX due later this yr will possible solely be about $3000 cheaper – because of its coupe ‘tax’.

Whereas the ID.4 Professional could be very competitively priced in opposition to key gamers, the ID.5 GTX is a extra premium proposition and aligned with the Tesla Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary AWD ($68,000) and BYD Sealion 7 Efficiency AWD ($63,990), in addition to rivals throughout the VW Group umbrella such because the Cupra Tavascan VZ ($74,490) and Skoda Enyaq Sportline ($69,990).

To see how the Volkswagen ID.5 strains up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

What’s the Volkswagen ID.5 like on the within?

Identical to the ID.4 Professional we additionally examined on the current native launch, however with sportier trimmings – queue crimson stitching and black suede throughout.

Aside from the color scheme, the primary differentiators between the GTX and the Professional are the Sport entrance seats with built-in head restraints, much like the seats you’ll discover within the newest Golf GTI scorching hatch.

Delicate-touch surfaces on the doorways and sprint together with stitching particulars on the latter elevate the atmosphere, and as customary there’s entrance seat heating, in addition to full electrical adjustment with lumbar help.

Even higher, there’s a massaging operate and also you additionally get fold-down armrests like in a Vary Rover! The added bolstering of the Sport pews supply higher lateral help particularly throughout extra spirited driving, which was a key takeaway after driving the ID.4 Professional and ID.5 GTX again to again on the Australian media launch.

It’s straightforward to discover a comfy driving place with a variety of adjustment each within the seats in addition to the steering wheel, and when you’re perched you could have a pair of shows maintaining you knowledgeable.

Not like some rivals like Tesla, Volkswagen has retained a driver’s instrument cluster of types. The small 5.3-inch Digital Cockpit is acquainted from different autos primarily based on the MEB platform just like the Cupra Born and Skoda Enyaq, with easy however clear readouts for velocity and driver help options, in addition to journey laptop info.

Talking of the Enyaq – at the moment on sale in Australia completely in Coupe type – I might argue that the bigger Skoda feels extra premium inside regardless of VW’s efforts to spruce up the cabin with nicer touches as a part of the ID.4/ID.5’s midlife replace.

Sadly, the augmented actuality (AR) head-up show accessible abroad isn’t supplied in our market, and as we all know from the associated Enyaq it will be a worthwhile inclusion. The fiddly contact capacitive steering wheel controls are one other ergonomic fake pas in my e-book, as they’ll usually lead to mis-presses and get dirty with finger prints.

The 12.9-inch touchscreen runs an up to date interface in comparison with earlier fashions offered abroad, and brings updates like always-on HVAC shortcuts and illuminated contact sliders. All of them sound like small issues, however they’re an enormous enchancment on the earlier iteration which has been accessible within the Golf domestically.

Whereas every little thing labored effective throughout our launch drive, there are a few niggles. The dearth of embedded navigation like different VW fashions is a disgrace, and is a typical difficulty with MEB-based fashions as this characteristic is tied to related car {hardware} that isn’t supplied domestically.

You additionally don’t get wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, not less than from launch, which means a USB-C cable is required to hook up your cellphone.

VW says it’s engaged on a retrofit resolution just like the ID. Buzz vans for early deliveries, although the corporate assures us that Wi-fi App-Join will likely be customary from April manufacturing onwards, which means most autos from the second half of 2025 will likely be delivered with it customary.

Storage up entrance can be first rate because of the minimalist and open plan design. There’s an extended centre console with cupholders, USB-C ports and a wi-fi smartphone charger, all lined by a sliding lid. Forward of that, there’s a divided storage cubby within the gloss black-trimmed part – thoughts these scratchy keys!

Massive door bins include felt lining on the base to minimise rattling of bottles and different unfastened gadgets, they usually’re deep sufficient to hold huge bottles.

The panoramic sunroof lets heaps of sunshine in but additionally has an electronically operated shade, which is useful given lots of different EVs do with out a shade and that isn’t perfect in Australia’s scorching solar. You’ll be able to even use the IDA digital assistant to open it for you or toggle it by way of the local weather controls.

Rear seat house is nice for even bigger adults.

I’m 6’1″ and might sit comfortably behind my most popular driving place with loads of leg, knee and head room to spare – regardless of the ID.5’s sloping roofline and customary panoramic sunroof. It’s a bit tapered in comparison with the ID.4, however nonetheless good.

The broad and flat rear bench seat lets you squeeze three in throughout at a pinch, and the flat flooring means you gained’t be taking part in footsies if you happen to’re sat within the rear-centre seat – although the console juts out a bit into your footwell.

Different facilities embody a 3rd zone of local weather management with directional air vents on the rear of the centre console, map pockets behind each entrance seats in addition to smartphone pockets, and fold-down rear-centre armrest and decent-sized door bins as properly.

As you’d count on, there are additionally ISOFIX youngster seat anchors on the outer rear seats in addition to top-tether factors behind every rear pew as properly. You additionally get a ski port if you want to transport erm… skis… in addition to different longer gadgets.

Behind the second row Volkswagen quotes 549 litres of boot house with the rear seats in place, which expands to a wholesome 1575 litres with them folded – curiously that’s barely greater than the ID.4 in each layouts. For reference, the outgoing Tiguan SUV quotes as much as 615 litres with the rear seats slid ahead, and 1655 litres with them folded.

Whereas the ID.4 and ID.5’s combustion-powered stablemate has a space-saver spare wheel underneath the rear flooring, VW’s electrical SUVs make do with a tyre mobility package as an alternative – one thing to contemplate if you happen to head out of city usually.

To see how the Volkswagen ID.5 strains up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

What’s underneath the bonnet?

GTX variations of the ID.4 and ID.5 get a dual-motor electrical drivetrain with a barely larger 79kWh (internet) li-ion battery.

Our indicated effectivity determine was achieved over largely high-speed nation roads and the Hume Freeway heading to Wagga Wagga, hardly the place any EV goes to be its best.

As we noticed within the ID.4 Professional on the identical launch occasion, extra suburban metropolis driving will will let you simply higher the producer’s consumption declare.

We didn’t get an opportunity to check the DC fast-charging capabilities, so we’ll have to take action once we get one by the storage.

To see how the Volkswagen ID.5 strains up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

How does the Volkswagen ID.5 drive?

Given the lengthy listing of similarities between the ID.4 and ID.5, what actually separates the launch fashions is the drive expertise – and the ID.5 GTX is certainly my decide on this regard.

VW actually harped on about how the GTX seems like an enormous GTI on the street, and whereas I used to be a contact skeptical a few 2.2-tonne electrical SUV’s capability to drive like a Golf scorching hatch, I used to be pleasantly shocked with how a lot I loved it.

Thoughts you, I drove my private Mk7.5 Golf GTI to the airport forward of this launch, and what I like about it most is its capability to adapt to only about any driving situation, such is the extent of adjustability and all-round competence of that automobile.

Properly, the ID.5 GTX might not current like a GTI in bodily type, and nor does the car’s weight or AWD actually paint it in the identical method, but it surely all comes collectively fantastically on nearly any street.

Our launch drive of the ID.4 and ID.5 took us from the outskirts of Canberra into regional New South Wales, with a wide range of patchy B-roads, nation highways and every little thing in between.

From the get-go you’ll be able to really feel the extra athletic and dialled-in nature of GTX package deal, with sharper responses to nearly each driver enter whatever the drive mode chosen. Like a GTI is to an everyday Golf, every little thing feels that little bit tighter and extra responsive.

It’s felt in every little thing from the throttle response to the steering and suspension efficiency, however not at all does this flip the ID.5 right into a busy and jittery mess. If something, it manages to be extra resolved than the ID.4 Professional whereas additionally being extra communicative.

The added energy and grip from the dual-motor AWD system with 20:80 front-rear torque break up means the sleek and easy response of the single-motor ID.4 Professional is amplified with extra thrust, mirrored within the GTX’s 5.4-second 0-100km/h acceleration declare – 1.3s faster than its single-motor equal.

Each from a standstill and on the roll, the ID.5 GTX accelerates with extra verve and has extra to present because the velocity climbs. I did a few overtakes on regional NSW highways and was shocked how rapidly the GTX constructed velocity – minimal planning required right here.

The progressive steering system is extra feelsome and responsive than the ID.4, regardless of there being no apparent variations on paper, delivering each sharper response to inputs and higher suggestions.

With the tighter tuning of the Adaptive Chassis Management with its 15-stage adjustable dampers, the ID.5 GTX handles like a a lot smaller automobile than it’s, providing you with the arrogance to actually push it up or down a winding street. The distinctive Traction mode additionally ensures everlasting all-wheel drive when activated, do you have to be driving on snow, gravel or different unfastened surfaces.

Bigger 20-inch wheels with lower-profile 235/50 entrance and 255/45 rubber (versus 235/55 and 255/50 R19s on the ID.4 Professional) little question contribute to this marginally, although there was no discernible distinction in street roar on among the rougher surfaces we traversed.

In actual fact, each the ID.4 and ID.5 are very properly insulated from the skin world, with minimal wind whistle or tyre noise. This isn’t all the time the case with EVs, given the shortage of engine noise can amplify different ambient sound intrusion.

Followers of one-pedal driving modes will likely be disillusioned to be taught the ID.5 solely provides minimal regen energy in D and a bit extra in B, however there’s no correct one-pedal mode like in different EVs, if that issues to you.

If something, it makes the ID.5 really feel extra like a traditional automobile, or a hybrid with a delicate quantity of vitality recuperation.

Some will lament the rear drum brakes too, as I’ve seen many do within the feedback sections of our opinions of different MEB vehicles. However to be frank, you most likely gained’t even discover them in regular driving given the front-end does the majority of regen.

Whereas we didn’t drag race the ID.5 GTX in opposition to the outgoing Tiguan like we did with the ID.4 Professional, I’d have an interest to pit the dual-motor mannequin in opposition to the incoming Tiguan 195TSI R-Line, as each supply all-paw traction and quote sub-6.0-second 0-100km/h acceleration instances – one thing to contemplate for future checks, maybe.

Lastly, the help methods. Aside from possibly the Mannequin Y, the ID.5 provides among the most user-friendly and intuitive energetic driver assists within the phase.

As in different Volkswagen vehicles, Journey Help labored a deal with in each the ID.4 Professional and ID.5 GTX, precisely maintaining the vehicles within the centre of their lanes with out yanking the steering out of your fingers, and likewise precisely maintaining a secure hole from main site visitors the place applicable.

The driving force consideration monitor barely makes itself recognized, and also you don’t need to continuously apply steering torque to cease the automobile from pinging you for not holding the wheel. Aspect Help additionally combines energetic blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists to keep away from facet swipes or a rear collision when reversing.

Customary encompass cameras make parking this 4584mm-long, 1852mm-wide electrical SUV a breeze, as do the usual entrance and rear parking sensors.

To see how the Volkswagen ID.5 strains up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

What do you get?

The GTX provides a few extras over the Professional specification, that are detailed within the lists beneath.

2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Professional gear highlights:

• 19-inch Hamar alloy wheels
• IQ.Mild HD Matrix LED headlights
• Dynamic Mild Help – adaptive excessive beam
• 3D tail lights incl. dynamic indicators
• Privateness glass
• Aspect mirrors incl. kerb view operate
• Encompass lighting incl. welcome mild
• Illuminated entrance LED entrance strip
• 5.3-inch Digital Cockpit
• 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment
• App-Join
  • Apple CarPlay – wired
  • Android Auto – wired
• IDA voice management
• 30-colour inside ambient lighting incl. ID.Mild
• Consolation entrance seats
  • Electrical adjustment incl. lumbar
  • Therapeutic massage operate
  • Heating operate
• Tri-zone local weather management
• Panoramic glass roof incl. sunblind
• Cargo administration system
• Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging cables
• 5yr GoConnect subscription

ID.5 GTX provides:

• 20-inch Ystad alloy wheels
• GTX exterior, inside styling
• LED entrance fog lights
• Distinction black roof, mirror caps
• Rear tailgate spoiler
• Sport entrance seats
  • Electrical adjustment
  • Heating operate
  • Therapeutic massage operate
• Crimson distinction stitching
• Harman Kardon premium audio
  • 480W output
  • 12-channel amplifier

To see how the Volkswagen ID.5 strains up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

Colors

The one optionally available gear accessible on the ID.5 GTX is premium paint.

Customary: $NCO

Metallic: $1000

• Scale Silver
• Glacier White
• Grenadilla Black
• Blue Nightfall

Premium Metallic: $1300

To see how the Volkswagen ID.5 strains up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

Is the Volkswagen ID.5 secure?

Australian variations of the ID.4 and ID.5 don’t have an ANCAP security score but, although the German EVs scored a five-star ANCAP lead to New Zealand primarily based on 2021 Euro NCAP testing of the ID.4.

*Scores apply to New Zealand-market variants solely right now

Customary security gear contains:

• Space View – encompass cameras
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bike owner detection
• Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Emergency help
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keep help
• Parking sensors – entrance, rear
• Proactive occupant safety
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Journey Help
  • Adaptive cruise management
  • Adaptive lane steering
  • Visitors Jam Help

To see how the Volkswagen ID.5 strains up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

How a lot does the Volkswagen ID.5 value to run?

VW’s new EV is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre new car guarantee, whereas the high-voltage battery is warranted for eight years or 160,000 kilometres.

Volkswagen has additionally dedicated to supporting ID homeowners with 10 years of battery provide from end-of-production (EOP) and 15 years of reparability from EOP. The MEB platform’s pouch cell development additionally permits for particular person battery modules to be repaired and changed relatively than requiring an entire new unit within the occasion of harm.

The corporate’s supplier community will even activate a Service Initiated Roadside Help coverage for 12 months every time you are taking your car in for scheduled upkeep at an authorised supplier.

When you get in fast, the primary 500 ID.4 and ID.5 patrons will even get a complimentary AmpCharge 7kW wallbox thrown in with buy, together with set up. That is valued at $1899 and is available in a number of colors to match your automobile.

VW Australia is establishing a larger partnership with Ampol, which in future will even embody charging provides for ID clients and different member perks – additional particulars are coming quickly.

To see how the Volkswagen ID.5 strains up in opposition to its rivals, take a look at our comparability device

CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen ID.5

When you’re a eager driver, the GTX is the apparent decide between Volkswagen’s pair of latest electrical SUVs from launch.

The tighter tuning and extra trustworthy response to inputs make the ID.5 GTX feels far much less SUV-like in character than the ID.4 Professional, and undoubtedly inject a splash of GTI to the driving expertise for the dads and mums that want to suit the children and the canine at the back of their VW.

Sure, it’s dearer than the equal Mannequin Y or BYD Sealion 7, however what Volkswagen (and different legacy manufacturers) supply on this house is a really acquainted driving and tech suite, the form of refinement and reliability honed over many years of growth, and an possession and aftersales expertise backed by a nationwide supplier community.

Related cash will solely purchase you an entry-level rival EV from different mainstream manufacturers like Toyota, Ford, Kia and Hyundai, and if you happen to get in early you get a free residence charger.

It’s additionally cheaper like-for-like than all of its VW Group stablemates – however there’s nonetheless room for enchancment.

Maybe my largest sticking level is the ID.5 GTX’s $13,000 premium over the already well-rounded ID.4 Professional. It’s actually not $13,000 higher, even when it’s a noticeably extra participating and succesful drive with higher seats besides.

At this value level the same-same cabin from mentioned ID.4 Professional additionally lacks a little bit of wow issue in comparison with the close to luxurious ranges of presentation supplied by some Chinese language rivals, and EV tech buffs will lament the shortage of manufacturing unit connectivity even when Volkswagen’s third-party resolution bridges a few of that hole.

The dearth of wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in addition to native satellite tv for pc navigation with related updates from launch can also grate, however not less than the previous is ready to be addressed shortly after the primary autos are delivered to clients.

All informed, the ID.5 GTX will not be fairly the compelling package deal the ID.4 Professional is, so with a GTX model of the wagon-bodied mannequin additionally on the best way, and certain for a number of thousand {dollars} much less, that might be the mid-size VW electrical SUV price ready for if you’re cautious of pulling the set off, except you actually love the ID.5’s sleeker design.

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MORE: Every part Volkswagen ID.5