The sleeker Volkswagen ID.5 makes it a compelling style choice over its ID.4 brethren.
The ID.5 is essentially the same as the ID.4 under the skin, but with a more elegant, sloping coupe-like roofline. You’ll find similar stylistic upgrades in the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback and the Skoda Enyaq Coupe.
People do like this bodystyle, and it shows in sales numbers. Everyone wants their car to have some curb appeal after all.
But, considering it’s up against models like the BMW iX1, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Tesla Model Y, the ID.5 has its work cut out for it in the ever-competitive EV segment.
so how does it drive?
The Volkswagen ID.5 is relatively smooth for the most part, with quick but gentle acceleration that gives you more than enough grunt to overtake other motorists.
282bhp and 545Nm of torque are at your disposal, keeping the century sprint time to 6.7 seconds. The best part is the car provides power with a calm, collected surge of energy.; no jerks or sudden lurches that may catch you or your passengers off guard.
If you’re craving that kind of power, the ID.5 GTX is on offer as well. Same interior, and roughly the same looks, but with more bite for your right foot.
When it comes to handling, the ID.5 holds its own. Sure, there’s a bit of understeer at low speeds, but with power going to the rear wheels, the car remains neutral and steady through corners. Steering feedback is minimal (as with most EVs) but the traction control does its job subtly, keeping the drive composed without being a killjoy.
At low speeds, the ride can be a bit on the stiff side; it feels like the suspension was tuned with a full load in mind. But once you get up to speed, the ID.5 really comes into its own.
It glides along smoothly, with barely any wind or tyre noise disturbing the peace.
any bad points?
Whilst acceleration and handling is great, the brake feel does feel a little lacklustre, especially when combined with the car’s mild energy regeneration.
Even in ‘B’ mode, the regen isn’t strong enough to provide some variant of one-pedal driving.
is the Volkswagen ID.5 efficient?
The ID.5 is impressively efficient, sipping power at an average of 17.0kWh/100km during my drive, which translates to a real-world range of over 420km on a single charge.
Built on Volkswagen’s new MEB platform, all ID.4 and ID.5 models come with an 82kWh battery in Singapore. In layman’s terms, that’s more than enough for a week of daily commuting without needing to hunt for a charger.
but how does this differ from the ID.4?
The ID.4 and ID.5 virtually drive the same way, but from a design perspective, the ID.5 goes for a sleeker, coupe-like look as opposed to the traditional SUV proportions of the ID.4.
Personally, I do like the more aggressive stance with the tapered roof; gives the car a bit more character.
And here’s a fun fact: while the ID.4 already boasts a respectable 543-litre boot, the ID.5 one-ups it with 549 litres, thanks to the rear bench being pushed slightly forward. This change hopefully prevents taller passengers from bumping their heads on the roof.
about the inside…
Stepping inside the Volkswagen ID.5 is like entering an Apple store – clean, minimalist, and a distinct lack of physical buttons. Everything’s controlled via a large screen and capacitive touch inputs.
The 12.8-inch infotainment system works well, but the touch-sensitive sliders and haptic buttons on the steering wheel can be finicky in operation.
And while you do get a start/stop button, if you’re the kind who likes to leave the car running while running errands, the ID.5 shuts off every time you lift yourself off the seat. No override for this annoyance either.
The minimalist interior is tastefully done, with a mix of cloth, leather, and ambient lighting that gives it a premium feel. There’s plenty of room for everyone, even for three adults in the back, thanks to the flat floor.
Storage cubbies are well sorted, and you’ll find pockets for your phone, your keys, and whatever else you need to stash away, along with plenty of USB ports to keep everyone’s devices charged.
sleek and stylish.
The ID.5 is a well-rounded package, but it’s not without its quirks. It ticks a lot of boxes – spacious, clever storage solutions, decent electric range, plus a smooth, comfortable drive. It’s what most families look for in an EV, and you definitely do not need the extra power from the GTX.
Maybe it isn’t as eye-catching as some of its rivals, but when it comes to the overall package, the ID.5 stands tall.
technical specifications.
Volkswagen ID.5 Electric
Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 210kW (282bhp)
Torque: 545Nm
Gearbox: Single Speed (A)
Acceleration: 6.7 Seconds (0-100km/h)
Battery Capacity: 82 kWh
Drive Range: 550 km
Energy Consumption: 4.7 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$229,900 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Volkswagen Singapore
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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