We first drove Volkswagen’s ID.7 at the UK launch back at the start of this year. So we jumped at the chance to spend a longer period with what Volkswagen is claiming is the most advanced, capacious, and luxurious member of the ID. EV family.
Sleek design
You don’t see as many ID.7s as you do the ID.3 for example, and the design surprises, even in hatchback form, at how long (at 4,961mm) the 7 is. The model is sleek, with design elements, such as sharply styled lights and light bar, looking familiar – but the ID.7 is something different and new.
There’s no doubting the benefits of the sleek design in terms of range, but ultimately it looked a bit bland in the Aquamarine Blue finish of our test car. We can’t help feeling the ID.7 looks more exciting as an estate, in lighter colours.
High-quality interior
We like the ID.3 hatch, but even we would question whether the interior felt special enough – even after the recent facelift – to be a Volkswagen. There’s no such problem with the inside of the ID.7, which is a welcome return to Volkswagen’s high-quality roots. The design again is perhaps a bit bland, but drivers will appreciate the fact that the key touchpoints, such as the top of the dashboard, door cards and centre console are finished in soft touch plastics – although considering its £50,000+ price for this entry-level Match version, we feel some should still be softer.
The ID.7’s lower driving position, plus the Ergoactive seats impress. These seats have multiple massage functions, are heated, and are very comfortable too. Volkswagen’s recent infotainment has come in for considerable criticism, so it’s good to report that the standard 15in touchscreen, is thankfully now fitted with backlit bottom sliders, plus more customisable functions, and moving with the times, the tile home screen and online voice assistant works with ChatGPT. We’re still not convinced at how useful the incoming ChatGPT compatibility will be, but it seems simple to operate (thankfully!).
What we don’t like about the infotainment, however, is the fact that some key functions such as the heating and ventilation are more than one tap away. The information screen in front of the driver looks and feels a bit of an afterthought, but the head-up display is welcome as it’s easy to read.
Space is almost limo-like in the back of the ID.7 – the flat floor adds to the comfort, too. Then there’s the class-leading 532-litre boot, with its practical hatch opening – although if you need more, there’s always the incoming Touring estate.
Drive and performance
Underneath, the ID.7 might share its MEB modular electric drive platform with the ID.3 and ID.4, but this Volkswagen EV debuts the new and more efficient drive system. Central to this is a new electric motor, which with 282hp, 545Nm, and 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds, is Volkswagen’s most powerful and highest-torque motor yet. More important, is that this ID.7 is capable of up to 384 miles of range.
When it’s time to charge, all ID.7s can take AC and DC charging up to 175kW, which is good enough to equal a 10-80% charge in under 30 minutes.
On the road, as before, the ID.7 is more about comfort than driver involvement. Although, without the optional, tuneable DCC suspension, we found the ride on this ID.7 with its standard 19in alloy wheels was inconsistent. The ID.7 is more of a cruiser and is better driven this way. We would recommend DCC tuneable suspension, after spending time with this car that didn’t have it. We also didn’t like the brake feel of this Volkswagen either – as they proved hard to modulate. The BMW i4 or BYD Seal are more fun alternatives to drive.
The ID.7 remains the best EV from Volkswagen yet, but we feel it lacks the appeal of other premium rivals. We hope the performance GTX and Tourer estate change our view.
Positive: Sleek styling, range, high quality and spacious interior
Negative: Infotainment could still be simpler to operate, bland to drive, needs the DCC suspension.
Standard equipment: 19in alloy wheels, driver, front passenger’s airbags, and side curtain airbags for front and rear including front seat side impact airbags and centre airbag, ESC (Electronic Stability Control Programme) including traction control, three-zone climatronic air conditioning system with intelligent air vents, electric windows, front and rear, electrically heated, adjustable and remote electrically foldable door mirrors with puddle lights, heat insulating glass in side and rear windows, heated windscreen washer jets
| Model | Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Match 77kWh |
| P11D | £51,495 |
| Residual value | 45% |
| Depreciation | £27,970 |
| Fuel | £3,523 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £2,881 |
| Cost per mile | 57.29p |
| Range | 384 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (2%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £17/£34 |
| Luggage capacity | 532 litres |
| Battery size/power | 77kWh/282hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
