Following on from the ID.3 hatch and the ID.4 SUV, the latest model to arrive in Volkswagen’s electric car line-up is, unsurprisingly, the ID.5. Described by its maker as a coupe-SUV, its dimensions are similar to the ID.4 – being just 15mm longer with a roofline 25mm lower.

We drove the ID.5 in the mid-range Tech equipment grade, which is expected to account for around half the model’s sales in the UK. We also had the middle Pro Performance powertrain option, which offers 204hp – 174hp Pro and 299hp GTX are the available alternatives. All come with a 77kWh battery, which in the spec tested means an impressive 313-mile range on the official WLTP cycle – figures for other configurations range from 316 to 296 miles.

Stepping into our test car, attention was immediately grabbed by liberal amounts of brown interior trim, which is interesting but potentially divisive. Interior material quality is generally good, barring the odd strip of scratchy plastic. The model does however suffer from the familiar modern VW problem of irritating touch slider ventilation and sound controls, and that’s not the only minus point for usability – the gear selector twists like a motorbike throttle, which is a weird arrangement. Even the door mirror controls we found difficult to work out during our test drive. An innovation we did like, however, was the touch-operated exterior door handles – something of a novelty in being an inventive door handle design that actually works.

Rear legroom is good, although headroom may be tight for taller adults – a sunroof is standard throughout the range. A 549-litre boot is usefully commodious.

In what seems to be an irritating trend for EVs, a spoiler interferes with the view from the rear window, though at least the ID.5’s is less prominent than some others.

On the move the ID.5’s handling feels secure and composed, with body roll well supressed. Despite it being rear-wheel drive there’s not much in the way of dynamism, but it’s appropriate enough for a family car, if potentially disappointing to those attracted by the ‘coupe’ elements of the design. The same can be said for the car’s acceleration, with the 204hp motor not able to deliver any more than acceptable performance due to an unladen weight of over two tonnes. The brakes also feel a bit spongy. 

Ride quality is good – not overly soft, but with the effects of ruts in the road well insulated from the cabin, although occupants may be disturbed by a fair bit of road noise being audible. 

Overall, 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. They will, however, need relatively deep pockets, since with a P11D of over £55k in the spec tested here the ID.5 looks expensive – an equivalent Kia EV6, for instance, comes in at around £7k less.

Volkswagen ID.5 Tech 77 kWh Pro Performance  

P11D: £55,440

Residual value: 40.03% 

Depreciation: £33,245

Fuel: £5,018

Service, maintenance and repair: £1,865

Cost per mile: 66.88p

Range: 313 miles

CO2 (BIK %): 0g/km (2%)  

BIK 20/40% a month: £18/£37

Luggage capacity: 549 litres

Battery size/power: 77kWh/204hp