The Volkswagen ID.5 is the ‘coupe’ version of ID.4, which is a crossover family SUV-style electric vehicle. And by ‘coupe’ we don’t mean it loses the rear doors, but that it gets a more fastback-like sloping rear roof-line. Cynical but enticing marketing terminology aside, there’s no question the ID.5 is the better-looking sibling, and compared to its smaller ID.3, this is the more grown-up proposition.

There’s some similarity to the ID.3 in the frontal styling, including the black and white large VW roundels. Even the diamond graphic motif in the headlights of this car echoes those seen on the c-pillar of the ID.3. But while the ID.3 feels funkier and more radical, the ID.4/5 goes the more traditional route in its exterior design, and for some customers, that’s no bad thing.
There’s a huge boot with a two-level floor, though it’s a shallow cavity, really only good enough to hide your charging cables. Nonetheless with split folding seats and ski-slot it’s very usable.

Getting into the back seat, it’s an inviting, reasonably luxurious, and generously capacious. Yes, if you are tall and lean right back, you’ll find your head butting up against the raked rear ceiling, but for most people it will be fine. There’s charging points and temperate controls back here too.

If you’re familiar with the ID.3, the front of this car won’t take you by surprise. Although it does feel a little more conventional with the light switches on the right of the steering column as is usually the case with German cars, unlike the ID.3. The steering wheel is rake and reach adjustable, with the pod-like instrument panel mounted on the column, so it moves with it. The transmission selector is on the same pod.

A large centre screen serves up all your driving modes and infotainment, while there is also a heads-up display available. The A-pillars are quite thick at the front, and the rear visibility is a little slot-like, but large wing mirrors help rear visibility.
It’s comfortable up front and there’s decent storage space, large cup-holders and wireless charging. The quality is excellent as you’d expect. The blue door insert trim on the car tested puzzled me as it didn’t match the seats or the exterior colour, but perhaps retained a little of the quirkiness of the ID range from VW. While it essentially replicates much of the ID.3’s interior, it somehow feels more ‘serious’ and enlarged.

The GTX is all-wheel drive and features a 77kWh battery with 299bhp on tap along with an impressive 460Nm of torque. Despite weighing in at 2,243kg, that enables it to sprint from rest to 62mph in 6.2 seconds, which is sports car territory easily, and reaches a top speed of 111mph. The claimed range is 314 miles at 3.9 miles/kWh.

Put your foot down and like all electric cars, it instantly takes you aback as it lunges forward, use the Sport mode and there’s even an accompanying sound. The all-wheel drive gives it reassuring and good grip, aided further by the low-placed mass which generally doesn’t impact the ride too much either.

It’s both comfortable and quick, but is it easy to drive? Out of town, it comes across as an easy mile-chomper – though keep an eye on the range – on narrower roads and tighter town streets, you start to feel its size and bulk. But it’s perfectly manageable, and overall takes little getting used to. Even the one-pedal model is not that overt, although there is a curious effect to the braking as it feels like it transitions from regen to mechanical stopping.

Is it fun? Yes, actually. Find an ‘interesting’ road and you can start to chuck it around. It maintains good body control, doesn’t roll too much and the steering is reasonably accurate. It earns the ‘Sports’ in Sport Utility Vehicle without doubt.

However, is this the one you should get? For practicality the ID.4 is probably the more sensible option, but doesn’t look as sleek. And, unless you really need 4WD, for everyday city driving, the 175bhp version with a slightly longer range from £54k, or even the next step-up Pro Performance with 205bhp from £55,500, might be better options, though if you’re spending this much money, it would be hard to resist the temptation to put in another grand or so and go full GTX.

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