VW ID.5 Review: The Electric SUV-Coupé That Finally Makes Going EV Feel Desirable
11.01.2026 - 18:36:05
You know that sinking feeling when you love the idea of an electric car, but every test drive leaves you thinking: this doesn’t feel like me? Either it looks like a science project, or the range feels too tight, or the interior feels like a tablet glued to a plastic box. You want something electric, yes—but you also want it to feel like a real car you actually look forward to driving.
That tension—between doing the right thing and actually enjoying the car you live with every day—is exactly where many drivers are stuck. You want space for family and weekend gear, you want a dash that doesn’t feel like beta software, and you really don’t want to be hunting for chargers every evening.
This is where the VW ID.5 steps in, not as a tech demo, but as a modern, grown-up EV that tries to calm all those anxieties in one go.
The Solution: What the VW ID.5 Actually Is
The VW ID.5 is Volkswagen’s all-electric SUV-coupé, essentially the sleeker, more design-led sibling of the ID.4. It rides on the same MEB electric platform, but wraps it in a more dynamic, fastback-style body and sprinkles in refined software, long-range battery options, and a cabin that feels like a crossover between a lounge and a familiar Volkswagen cockpit.
On paper, you get up to around 556 km WLTP range (depending on variant and wheel size), DC fast charging of up to 135 kW on recent models, rear- or all-wheel-drive options, and the latest generation of VW’s software, including over-the-air updates, travel assist, and intelligent route planning with charging stops.
But the reason people are talking about the ID.5 isn’t just the spec sheet. It’s because it tries to answer a very simple question: What if going electric didn’t require you to compromise on how your car feels, looks, and works day to day?
Why this specific model?
The EV market has exploded with choices, especially in the SUV space. So why the VW ID.5, and not just another Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or Kia EV6?
First, the design. The ID.5 takes the practical footprint of an SUV and adds a coupé-style roofline that actually looks intentional rather than gimmicky. You still get generous rear headroom and a big trunk (over 500 liters depending on configuration), but the car has a more premium, flowing profile that feels less utilitarian and more aspirational.
Second, the comfort-first driving experience. Real-world reviewers and owners highlight how the ID.5 feels tuned for calm, confident driving rather than aggressive performance posturing. The suspension is comfortable, visibility is good, and the cabin is quiet—this is a car built for long motorway runs and daily commutes, not just 0–60 bragging rights (though the GTX performance version is no slouch).
Third, the software and charging updates. Early ID models were criticized for buggy infotainment and slow charging curves. With the latest ID.5 builds and software versions, Volkswagen has pushed big improvements: more intuitive menus, faster responses, better route planning that takes charging into account, and improved DC fast-charging performance. Reddit threads from ID.4 and ID.5 owners show a clear trend: people who got later builds or updated software are significantly happier than early adopters.
And then there’s the brand factor. Volkswagen AG (ISIN: DE0007664039) is still one of the world’s biggest automakers, with a huge dealer and service network. For many buyers transitioning to their first EV, that level of support and familiarity matters just as much as the tech.
At a Glance: The Facts
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| Up to ~556 km WLTP range (variant-dependent) | Enough real-world range for full workweeks of commuting or long weekend trips without constant charging anxiety. |
| Battery around 77 kWh usable capacity (most trims) | Balanced mix of range and weight, giving solid efficiency while still feeling like a proper long-distance EV. |
| DC fast charging up to approx. 135 kW | Top up from low state of charge to about 80% in roughly half an hour on a capable fast charger, ideal for road trips. |
| Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (GTX) options | Choose between efficiency-focused comfort or sportier traction and acceleration depending on your driving style. |
| Spacious interior with flat floor and large trunk | Family-ready cabin with room for adults front and rear, plus generous luggage space for daily life and holidays. |
| Latest VW infotainment with over-the-air updates | Software can improve over time, adding features and polishing the driving and ownership experience without dealer visits. |
| Advanced driver assistance (Travel Assist, lane and distance control) | Helps reduce fatigue on long journeys and busy commutes by assisting with lane keeping and adaptive cruise. |
What Users Are Saying
Spend a little time in EV forums or Reddit threads about the VW ID.5 and a pattern emerges. Owners broadly love the comfort, space, and design—but they are candid about quirks too.
The positives you see again and again:
- Comfort and refinement: Many owners describe the ID.5 as a relaxing place to spend time. Quiet cabin, smooth ride, and a planted feel at motorway speeds.
- Real-world range: While official WLTP numbers are optimistic, drivers report genuinely usable range, especially in mild weather. Commuters rarely need to charge more than a couple times a week.
- Design and presence: The coupé roofline gets frequent compliments. People like that it doesn’t shout "look at my EV" yet still looks modern and upscale.
- Charging experience: With the latest software, many note stable fast-charging sessions and decent speeds, especially when starting from lower battery levels.
The common complaints are just as important:
- Infotainment learning curve: Earlier software versions were disliked for lag and occasional bugs. Later updates have improved this, but some still find the UI more complex than it needs to be.
- Touch sliders and minimal physical buttons: A recurring gripe: the climate and volume sliders are touch-sensitive rather than physical knobs, and can be fiddly while driving.
- App and connectivity delays: Some owners report slow wake-up times or inconsistent connection with the smartphone app, especially compared with Tesla’s slick remote control experience.
Overall sentiment, though, leans positive: people who wanted a calm, comfortable, normal-feeling electric SUV are generally happy with their ID.5, especially if they came in with eyes open about software quirks.
Alternatives vs. VW ID.5
The mid-size electric SUV segment is one of the hottest spaces in the automotive world right now. So how does the VW ID.5 stack up?
- Tesla Model Y: The benchmark for range, charging network, and software smoothness. The Model Y is quicker, often more efficient, and supported by the powerful Supercharger network. However, some buyers prefer the more traditional feel, softer ride, and physical build quality of the ID.5’s interior.
- Hyundai Ioniq 5: Ultra-fast 800V charging and a striking, retro-futuristic design. It can charge significantly faster in ideal conditions. The flip side: some people prefer the subtler, less flashy presence of the ID.5, and VW’s dealer network may be more familiar in parts of Europe.
- Kia EV6: Sportier and more dynamic than the ID.5, with similarly strong charging performance to the Ioniq 5. If you want a sharper drive, the EV6 is compelling. If comfort and understated styling are your priority, the ID.5 might feel more aligned with your lifestyle.
- Volkswagen ID.4: The ID.4 is the more practical sibling—boxier tailgate, slightly more headroom and cargo height, and usually a bit cheaper. The ID.5 trades a touch of practicality for a more premium, coupé-like look and feel. Mechanically, they’re very similar.
In other words, the VW ID.5 is not trying to win every spec war. It’s aiming to be the comfortable, stylish, familiar-feeling EV that bridges the gap between traditional SUVs and the fully digital future.
Final Verdict
The VW ID.5 is for you if you’re ready to go electric, but you don’t want your car to feel like an experiment. You want proper range, real space for passengers and luggage, and a cabin that feels both modern and reassuringly normal.
It’s not perfect. The touch-slider controls and still-maturing software will annoy some drivers, especially if you’re coming from the ultra-polished app and UI world of Tesla. And if raw charging speed or performance thrills are top of your list, competitors from Hyundai, Kia, and Tesla might impress you more on paper.
But that’s not the whole story. When you live with a car, the details that matter most are comfort, ease of use, range confidence, and how it makes you feel each time you walk up to it in the driveway. On those fronts, the VW ID.5 lands in a sweet spot: calm, capable, stylish, and quietly sophisticated.
If your mental image of an EV has always been a quirky compromise, the ID.5 is the kind of car that can rewrite that story. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t lecture you. It just quietly makes the switch to electric feel like the most natural upgrade you’ve made in years.
