- Watch Volkswagen ID.7 Review 2024
- What does the interior offer?
- What technology is on offer?
- How is the ID.7 to drive?
- What safety features does the ID.7 offer?
- Which features are offered as standard?
- Charging and Range
- How much is the Volkswagen ID.7?
- Volkswagen ID.7 Review Summary: Should you buy, finance, or lease one?
This Volkswagen ID.7 review showcases a new echelon of driving experience and battery technology, presenting a polished and sophisticated alternative to its premium rivals.
This smart executive model sets itself apart with exceptional space and luxury, positioning itself as a credible contender in the mid-sized executive electric car market.
A New Era of Luxury and Innovation
The ID.7 is Volkswagen’s most refined and opulent full-electric ID model to date, available in both Fastback and Tourer Estate forms.
Priced competitively against mid-sized executive EVs from aspirant brands, the ID.7 offers superior space and arguably greater luxury.
Volkswagen’s struggle to stretch its brand equity to sell large luxury saloons, like the ill-fated Phaeton (2003-2014), might find redemption in this new EV era where battery technology overshadows badge prestige.
Want to see the ID.7 in action? Watch our comprehensive review of the Volkswagen ID.7 now
What does the interior offer?
Volkswagen has significantly improved the interior design of the ID.7, addressing past criticisms. The cabin exudes a higher level of perceived quality, featuring plush materials and ample soft-touch surfaces.
Step inside, and you’re greeted with the ID Light, an augmented reality head-up display, and a driving profile mode setup.
The interior also boasts ErgoActive Comfort front seats with a massage function, a leather-trimmed and heated multifunction steering wheel, and a 360° rearview camera.
The cabin’s centrepiece is a 15-inch central touchscreen with redeveloped MIB software, offering intuitive controls and comprehensive functionality.
The Discover Pro touchscreen navigation infotainment system integrates seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring a connected driving experience.
What technology is on offer?
Launched in late 2023, the ID.7 heralds a new wave of ID models, incorporating lessons from previous iterations (ID.3, ID.4, ID.5) and the sustainable cabin features from the ID. Buzz.
This model aims to succeed where the combustion Passat couldn’t, leveraging advanced technology to entice customers.
The base 77 kWh version sets new standards in EV drive range for this segment and will soon be accompanied by a variant boasting Volkswagen’s largest, fastest-charging, longest-range battery yet.
The ID.7 has advanced features, including an augmented reality head-up display, an innovative smart air vent system, and a powerful Harmon Kardon premium sound system.
The ID.7’s travel assist setup, with autonomous acceleration, braking, and steering, ensures a sophisticated driving experience.
The standard Park Assist Plus package remembers complex parking manoeuvres, adding to the car’s convenience.
How is the ID.7 to drive?
The ID.7 delivers a tranquil driving experience, characterised by subdued wind and road noise. A sports saloon it is not, but a 2-ton EV rarely is.
The new 210 kW e-motor, known as the A550, brings stronger magnets, higher wire cross-section, more windings, and improved cooling, enhancing efficiency and power.
Launched in single-motor rear-driven form, with a dual motor all-wheel drive GTX performance version to follow, the ID.7 offers a compelling combination of power and range.
Advanced Driving Assistance
Safety and driving assistance is paramount in the ID.7. The ACC adaptive cruise control system, enhanced with predictive cruise control, adjusts speed ahead of bends and speed restrictions, bringing the car to a controlled stop in traffic and restarting it autonomously.
Travel Assist semi-autonomous driving features provide assisted steering, braking, and acceleration up to 130 mph, incorporating local speed limit information, town boundaries, and roundabouts into vehicle control.
Driver’s assistance features as standard include:
- AC Charging Socket (Type 2)
- Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
- Advanced driver attention & drowsiness monitor
- Advanced dynamic light assist for LED Matrix headlights
- Area view and rear-view camera
- Assistance Pack
- Augmented reality head-up display
- Charging cable mode 3, Type 2: 7.2kW 1-Phase/11kW 3-Phase (32A)
- Comfort Pack
- DC battery charging capability (Type 2:CCS)
- Driving profile selection
- Dynamic road sign display
- Lane Assist, Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist
- Lane change system Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert and exit warning system
- Leatherette-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, heated, with touch control
- Memory feature for Park Assist Plus
- Oncoming vehicle braking when turning including swerve support
- Power-assisted steering, speed-sensitive
- `Air Care Climatronic` (3-zone) with rear air conditioning control panel
What safety features does the ID.7 offer?
Safety is paramount to Volkswagen ID vehicles and the ID.7 is no exception. Drivers are offered many exceptional safety features as standard, including:
- ‘e-call’ Emergency call service
- 3-point seat belts in front with seat belt pretensioners
- Alarm with interior protection
- Curtain and side airbags in front with centre airbag
- Disc brakes in front
- Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
- Drum brakes in the rear
- Exterior mirror housings in gloss black, with integrated indicators
- First aid kit, warning triangle and safety vest
- Front Assist – Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
- Isofix child seat preparation, easy-fit (for two outer rear seats, and front passenger seat), compatible with I-size
- Safety-optimised front-head restraints
- Standard electronic engine sound (exterior sound actuator)
- Tyre pressure loss indicator
- Warning signal and warning light for front and rear seat belts not fastened
- With an extended safety system (proactive passenger protection system)
Standard Equipment and Features
The Pro Match model of the ID.7 comes brimming with standard features that often are optional in other markets.
These include IQ Light LED Matrix headlamps, Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive damping, and a Park Assist Plus setup with a memory feature for frequently accessed parking spaces.
You’ll also find 19-inch Hudson black alloy wheels, a black contrast-coloured roof, heat-insulating glass, and an array of convenience features such as keyless entry, power-folding mirrors with puddle lights, and rear privacy glass.
Charging and Range
One of the ID.7’s standout features is its class-leading range. The 77 kWh Pro version offers a combined range of 381 miles, extending to 471 miles in urban conditions.
This figure outstrips competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai IONIQ 6. However, real-world figures often vary, with our tests showing a more conservative range between 3.8 to 4 miles per kWh.
Charging capabilities include a 175 kW maximum for the Pro version, allowing a 10-80% top-up in 28 minutes. The Pro S version can charge up to 200 kW, though it still lags behind the 250 kW capacity of a Tesla Model 3 Long Range.
How much is the Volkswagen ID.7?
In the burgeoning electric vehicle market, the Volkswagen ID.7 stands out, presenting itself as a luxurious fastback with impressive features and a commendable driving range.
At around £7,000 less than the Polestar 4 and £6,000 more than the rear-driven Model 3, the ID.7 sits comfortably in a competitive price bracket.
If you’re weighing up options like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai IONIQ 6, or even the Nissan Ariya, here’s why the ID.7 might just seal the deal for you.
While many rivals at this price point are SUV crossovers, the ID.7 offers a fastback solution that exudes luxury and upmarket appeal.
Compared to a rear-driven Tesla Model 3, which could save you around £6,000, or a Model Y which would cost an additional £1,500, the ID.7 brings a generous amount of standard equipment, potentially tipping the scales in its favour.
Volkswagen ID.7 Summary: Should you buy, lease, or finance one?
The Volkswagen ID.7 is a compelling option in the electric vehicle market, especially for those seeking a luxurious fastback with extensive standard features and a competitive range.
While the initial cost may seem steep, the generous equipment list, advanced safety features, and commendable range make it a worthy contender against its electric peers.
When deciding whether to buy, lease, or finance the Volkswagen ID.7, we recommend a review of your individual needs and financial situation.
Buying is ideal for those who plan to keep the vehicle long-term and benefit from potential tax incentives for EVs.
Leasing offers lower monthly payments and the flexibility to upgrade to newer models as technology advances.
Financing provides a middle ground, allowing you to eventually own the vehicle while spreading out the cost over time.
Ultimately, the Volkswagen ID.7 represents a significant leap forward in the brand’s electric vehicle lineup. With its blend of luxury, advanced technology, and impressive driving range, the ID.7 stands as a formidable competitor in the executive EV segment.
Whether you’re considering a Tesla, BMW, Mercedes, or any other premium EV, the ID.7 deserves serious consideration for its unique combination of space, comfort, and innovation.
