Volkswagen ID.5 Pro – Review

Introduction – Volkswagen ID.5 Pro

The Volkswagen ID.5 is a revolutionary vehicle, ushering in the future of cars with advanced software systems that can be updated remotely. Although the ID.5 looks similar to the ID.4, it features a coupe-style back end and boasts a two-motor, all-wheel drive setup.

In fact, the Volkswagen ID.5 Pro is the German automaker’s first electric SUV Coupé which is a more compact alternative to the ID.4. The Pro and Pro Performance models are single-motor, rear-wheel drive and come with a 77kWh battery. Prices start at £49,735 or about $60,000.

The ID.5 has plenty of competition from other manufacturers such as Tesla, Volvo, Hyundai, Audi, and Skoda. It has an all-wheel drive (AWD) variant called the GTX 4MOTION Style that has 220 kW (295 hp) of power and 460 Nm of torque. 

EV Engine, Power and Performance

The Pro and Pro Performance models have 172bhp and 201bhp respectively, with up to 327 miles of range as measured to the WLTP standard using a 77 kWh battery pack (81 kWh gross).

It has a rear-wheel drive (RWD) “Pro” variant with 128 kW (172 hp) of power and 235 Nm of torque. The car accelerates from 0-60 mph in 9.42 seconds. On the other hand, there’s also the ID.5 GTX which has 295bhp and all-wheel drive and a 0-60 mph acceleration of 5.96 seconds with a top speed of 112 mph.

Both have a CCS charging port with a 135 kW input that takes 29 minutes to get to 80% charge from 5%. With a 7.2 kW input via the Type 2 port, it takes 12 hours from 0-100%, while a 3-pin plug will take 36 hours which we highly don’t recommend for regular use. Volkswagen has been a pioneer of 7.2 kW charging.

The car is equipped with bi-directional charging that allows you to feed energy from the vehicle’s battery pack into a home power wall.  This is consistent with the industry moving from not only grid-to-vehicle but vehicle-to-grid technology.

Interior Comfort and Cargo Dimensions

The ID.5 has a spacious cabin with plenty of headroom up front and sufficient legroom in the back. Its seats are adjustable and heated, and there’s a panoramic glass roof with an electronically retractable sunshade. The cabin is well insulated and the suspension setup is comfortable. The gear selector is located next to the instrument cluster and is similar to the one found in the ID.3 and ID.4.

There are two cupholders, a retractable cover that reveals a convenient place to store your smartphone, two USB Type-C ports for charging and connectivity, and a larger-sized storage bay. The boot has a capacity of 549 litres and 1,561 litres when the seats are put down. Therefore, the ID.5 has ample cargo space, but its weight (estimated to be around 2,200kg) can make it feel sluggish.

Infotainment, Tech and Connectivity

The ID.5 is equipped with a high-tech software system that can be updated remotely much as could the ID.3, such as unlocking faster charging up to 135kW and other new features. The car also includes tech features like smartphone integration and voice control.

The ID.5 has a 12″ centre-weighted display and a 5.3″ customisable instrument cluster. It has an intuitively laid-out menu system, and navigation data from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is fed through to the instrument cluster and the Head-Up Display (HUD).

There are capacitative buttons and touch sliders, but no physical buttons or knobs. The infotainment system had its software optimised, making the display more fluid than previous generation offerings. The audio system has six speakers at 140 Watts, but the Infotainment Package Plus option adds an additional speaker in form of a subwoofer, taking the power up to 450 Watts.  We found the interface of the ID.5 is missing many buttons, leaving the driver navigating through endless sub-menus.

Safety Features

The ID.5 is loaded with safety features, including blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and park assist. The ID.5 scored 5/5 stars in Euro NCAP’s crash tests, with 93% safety for Adult Occupants, 89% safety for Child Occupants, and 85% in Safety Assist tests. It has LED strip on the dashboard to indicate any imminent danger and active safety systems such as City Emergency Braking, Front Assist, Driver Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Assist, and a rearview camera. It also has front and rear sensors and an optional Area View for full coverage of the vehicle’s exterior. 

Warranty Information

The ID.5 comes with a three-year/60,000 mile warranty.

Final Thoughts – Volkswagen ID.5 Pro

The Volkswagen ID.5 is a great electric vehicle that offers a lot of features, from its long-range battery to its comfortable interior. It’s competitively priced for an electric SUV and has plenty of safety features to keep you safe on the road. It’s no match for some of its more powerful competitors in terms of performance, but it does offer a great balance of convenience, practicality, and ease of use.

We found its infotainment system can be bothersome. It’s a car that offers a lot of smart touches, but also has its weak spots. Ultimately, it’s about how the car will fit into your life, so test drive it and compare it to its rivals to find the one that works best for you.