VW has finally knocked it out of the park with new ID 7

Although the German giant has an extensive line-up of EVs across its range none of them have really caught the public’s imagination.

You know there’s an image problem when the best received model is the Cupra Born and not its VW equivalent.

But this could be about to change.

VW ID 7 Tourer

The ID.7 represents a strategic shift – an EV that steps up to the mark in terms of ambition, maturity and practicality compared to its smaller (and cheaper) siblings.

Positioned as a sleek, almost coupe-esque, alternative to established EVs like the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i5, it blends undeniable elegance, with strong performance and class-leading range.

The result is Volkswagen’s most convincing all-electric offering to date – although, as with nearly all EVs, it isn’t without its quirks.

That battery range is helped enormously by the car’s slippery shape. With a drag coefficient of just 0.23, the ID.7 is among the most aerodynamically efficient vehicles in production, helping to deliver up to 440 miles of travel before you’ll need an electric charger.

Of course, the range-to-empty figures should be taken with a pinch of salt if the conditions are less than perfect.

I travelled just over 100 miles on a very cold day when the temperature never climbed above freezing and the VW’s range was closer to 250 miles than 440.

But that’s science for you: lithium ion batteries don’t like cold weather (who does?) and no amount of aero or sophisticated electronic husbandry will ever completely overcome that simple fact.

And it’s fair to say that an EV with a lesser claimed range would have covered far fewer miles before needing a recharge.

At least the fast charging connectivity means it won't be long before you're on your way again. It takes just ten minutes to add an extra 100 miles of range.

Inside the cabin there’s no doubt VW has run the rule over the ID.7’s interior. The accommodation is far more upmarket than its ID siblings with quality soft-feel plastics, a real sense of material sturdiness and lots of useful touches that feel properly premium. The ‘floating’ 15-inch touchscreen dominates, but the user interface now feels faster and more intuitive than the first iteration of the UX we saw on cars like the ID.4. The tiny temperature and volume controls at the base of the screen are still there, though, and take some getting used to. At least they are backlit now so you can see them when it’s dark.

I’m no huge fan of touchscreens and this one still has the same drawbacks that infuriate me. It takes too long to accomplish something simple like reducing the fan speed or finding a list of saved radio stations. Familiarity helps reduce the frustration, but I still hanker after old-fashioned physical controls for the heating/ventilation and audio systems. I’m not alone. Thousands of owners say they find touchscreens too complex. The fact that several manufacturers, including VW, have committed to roll back their ‘button-less’ interiors in the next generation of EVs suggest the tide may be turning in our favour.

That said, the augmented reality head-up display is useful because you don't have to look down at the instruments so often and the voice recognition tech is much improved. VW plans to use ChatGPT AI routines to make the voice matching more naturalistic in future so a driver will be able to ask questions using their normal speech pattern.

All ID.7 models share VW’s latest electric drivetrain technology powered by 77kWh or 87kWh batteries. Power (282bhp and 402 ft-lb of torque) is more than enough for a swift getaway regardless of the vehicle’s 2.1 tonne weight. Top-of-the-range models offer even more (four-wheel drive and 335bhp anyone?).

Equipped with active dampers, the ID.7 glides over potholes and road seams with poise and balance. It’s most at home gliding down the motorway when the ID.7’s performance really does feel effortless.

Boot volume in the hatch tops out at 532 litres. If that’s not enough go for the Tourer and you’ll get a hefty 605-litres which can be boosted to a cavernous 1,714 litres with the back seats folded flat. There’s an electric tailgate and a drop down ski flap for longer items.

Matrix LED headlights and 360-degree cameras (perfect for tight parking spots) round out the practical touches.

The price of ID.7 ownership is a touch over £50,000 which will get you into an entry-level model. The sportiest versions cost north of £60k which pits the VW against some pretty stiff competition such as the Tesla Model 3 and the Mercedes EQE. The Volkswagen offers more of everything (space and equipment) for less, though.

So despite the scary price it’s actually the value proposition in this class.

The VW’s appeal lies in its all-round ability. It’s not the sportiest or most premium car in the sector but it pretty much nails everything you could reasonably ask of a big family-friendly EV. It drives like a long distance diesel, costs a lot less to run and offers a range that is almost as good as the Tesla and plenty enough to allay the range-anxiety of even the most pessimistic of owners.

Clearly, VW has learned a lesson from its first fumbling efforts at building a family-sized EV. The new ID.7 instantly catapults it back into contention again.