Volkswagen ID.5 review: what the car critics say
The ID.4's 'sportier, more stylish twin' – but 'don't believe the hype'

Volkswagen is selling the ID.5 as "the ID.4's sportier, more stylish twin – but don't believe the hype", said The Daily Telegraph. Although it is billed as a coupé, it is really just an electric SUV with a slightly more sloping tail, and alas it has most of the ID.4's flaws. There are three powertrains: Pro, Pro Performance and GTX, plus two trim levels: Style and Tech. All models have a 77kWh battery, with an official range of 324 miles.
Like the ID.4, the ID.5 is not pretty and it has the same underwhelming interior – "superficially swishy", but with "terribly cheap" plastic mouldings, said The Sunday Times. The dashboard controls, as in other current VWs, are "absolutely awful", with "useless" touch-sensitive buttons, "baffling" touchscreen menus and heating controls that don't light up at night. "This is not a likeable or compelling car."
The interior isn't great, but it is at least spacious, with a panoramic sunroof as standard, giving a light, airy feel, said Auto Express. And despite the sloping ceiling, there's plenty of headroom, generous legroom and a huge boot. But on the road, it feels "lacklustre" and "uninspiring", and it's lazy turning into corners. On the plus side, traction is decent, steering is accurate enough, and it has a 5-star Euro NCAP crash rating. Price: from £50,710.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In pictures: Volkswagen ID.5
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - March 15, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - bogged down, incident report, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Norway's windfall: should it go to Ukraine?
Talking Point Oil-based wealth fund is intended 'for future generations of Norwegians', but Putin's war poses an existential threat
By The Week UK Published
-
5 government-backed cartoons about the White House Tesla sale
Cartoons Artists take on Cybertrump, Trumpmobile, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Sweet date and sour tamarind sea bass recipe
The Week Recommends Combination of flavours makes a perfect lunch
By The Week UK Published
-
10 concert tours to see this spring
The Week Recommends As winter comes to an end, check out a variety of live performances
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350 – an 'intense and betwitching' show
The Week Recommends 'Blockbuster' National Gallery exhibition explores whether Siena was truly 'the birthplace of the Renaissance'
By The Week UK Published
-
6 spacious homes for multi-generational families
Feature Featuring a 1900 Jacobean-style mansion in Massachusetts and a 22.5-acre compound in California
By The Week US Last updated
-
The Seagull: Cate Blanchett leads 'powerhouse ensemble' in Chekhov classic
The Week Recommends Modern reboot has 'blown away the dust' from 1895 drama
By The Week UK Published
-
Black Bag: Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett star in 'punchy' thriller
The Week Recommends All-star Steven Soderbergh spy film is 'cool and confident'
By The Week UK Published
-
Get Millie Black: a gritty Jamaica-set police procedural
Scripted by Booker Prize-winner Marlon James, the series touches upon the homophobia still prevalent in Jamaica
By The Week UK Published
-
Road trip: New England’s maple syrup season
Feature New England is serving up maple syrup in delicious and unexpected ways
By The Week US Published