Design and Build

There are no significant exterior visual changes to this updated ID.5. As before, the coupe-like looks mean the car certainly has a dash more pavement presence than its ID.4 SUV stablemate; and a more slippery 0.26Cd drag factor too, though that only fractionally boosts its driving range. The big difference with this revised model lies inside, where there's a new bigger 12.9-inch infotainment central touchscreen, with simpler menus, a more intuitive control structure and a more responsive IDA voice assistant. This offers fresh functions, including cloud-based weather information and the status of sporting events or stock market prices. Volkswagen has (at last) illuminated the cabin temperature control sliders. Plus the driving mode selector has been moved to the steering column and the optional augmented reality head-up display system has been enhanced. You still have to put up with a very small (5.3-inch) instrument display. One hi-tech feature we really like is the impressive augmented reality head-up-display, which artificially projects key information and navigation commands straight onto your view of the road ahead. At the back, there's comfortable space for a couple of adults (though it'd be a squash for three). In terms of space of your legs and knees, as in the ID.4, it's all very impressive - as so often these days in a mid-sized EV uncompromised by the packaging needs of a combustion powertrain. You'd expect the effect of the tapering roof line to be a reduction in boot space, but actually, the 549-litre capacity figure up to the level of the parcel shelf is 6-litres more than you get in an ID.4. The cargo area's extendable to 1,561-litres when you fold the rear seats.

Market and Model

Prices start from around £41,000 (around £1,500 more than an equivalent ID.4) and in the mainstream part of the line-up, there's a choice of 'Match' and 'Style' trim levels. 'Style' trim gives you a choice of either 52kWh or 77kWh battery sizes. At the top of the range costing from around £54,000 is the GTX 'Edition' variant, with its 340PS output and all-wheel drive. This uses the 77kWh battery. For all ID.5s there'll be tough competition, not only from this model's identically engineered Skoda Enyaq Coupe and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron cousins but also from cars selling at this point like the Polestar 2 and the Kia EV6. All ID.5s come with full-LED headlamps, LED tail lights, rain sensing wipers, all-round parking sensors, heated windscreen washer jets and an alarm. Inside, all versions feature the 'ID.Light', a wide, narrow light strip under the windscreen that assists the driver by flashing or moving in different colours to draw attention to various functions. There's also an 'Air Care Climatronic' 2-Zone air conditioning system, a leather-trimmed and a heated multi-function steering wheel. The upholstery is a smart alcantara-like 'Art Velours' microfleece and the front seats are heated, plus there's an auto-dimming rear view mirror, an electric auxiliary air heater, a wireless smartphone charger and an ambient lighting set-up with up to 30 colour options. Volkswagen's 'Travel Assist' system is also standard and can do most of the driving for you at highway speeds. It's a pity though, that the 'DCC' dynamic chassis control adaptive damping system is optional - and only on the flagship GTX variant. Volkswagen expects a popular option to be it's 'Top Sports' front seats, which are distinguished by perforated ID logos at the tops of the backrests. All models also include the brand's 'Car2X' communication system which uses crowd-swarm data to warn you about traffic hazards ahead.

Cost of Ownership

As we said in our 'Driving' section, driving range with this improved ID.5 has increased significantly to as much as 339 miles thanks to the new APP550 motor. The other significant change is an increase in charging speed to 175kW - though that only applies to the versions; the base 52kWh variants charge at just 145kW. To achieve the quoted range figure, you'll need to frequently use the provided 'Eco' drive mode setting, ideally in combination with the available 'B' regenerative braking function, which slows the car significantly when you come off the accelerator. Whatever ID.5 model you select, your charging regime should be quite straightforward. There's a 'We Charge' app that helps you find and use over 150,000 public charge points. An AC1-phase 7.4kW garage wallbox would replenish the 77kWh battery from zero in about twelve hours. Out and about at a DC3 100kW charge point, it'll take no more than around 30 minutes to recharge your ID.5 with enough direct current to cover the next 137 miles. You should also make savings in BiK payments (there's the usual 2% EV rating), as well as exemption (until the 2025 review) from road tax and ULEZ/congestion charging. Volkswagen says that its aim is to make sure that the battery pack lasts as long as the car and, sure enough, that battery pack is warrantied to have at least 70% of its usable capacity after eight years or 100,000 miles.

Summary

You have to wonder exactly how many people will be in the market for a car like this, right here, right now. And how many of the people that are will decide that they want this car, rather than its identically engineered and similar-looking VW Group cousins, the Skoda Enyaq Coupe and the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron. But the Volkswagen brand remains committed to broadening its EV line-up no matter what and this improved ID.5 certainly provides a sleek-looking halo model for ID.3 hatch owners to aspire to. Especially in top GTX form, where the AWD system and its extra power create a significantly more aspirational and pleasing package than is the case with the ID.4 GTX. You might really desire an ID.5 GTX, rather than merely graduate into one - and that's a crucial difference. Whether the ID.5 package as a whole is desirable enough to suit its premium price point is another question. We'll let the market answer that one.