Ian Lamming drives the latest fully electric vehicle from VW, the ID.5, and finds it well worth the effort
TO be honest some manufacturers have been a bit half-hearted about electrification and I’m sure if they hadn’t been forced into it by respective global governments they wouldn’t have bothered at all – but not Volkswagen.
VW was straight in there and its range now includes a hatchback, a sports utility vehicle, a coupe-SUV, even a groovy, funky EV minibus.
Last year, the ID. family of models made up around 14 per cent of Volkswagen’s UK total of new-car sales, with 18,228 ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 vehicles sold – so it was definitely worth doing then.
The ID.5 is the full-electric coupe-SUV. From the front it looks like the ID.4 but then things go all curvaceous and sexy at the back end to differentiate it.
It’s a big and imposing unit and the girth is reflected well inside where there is heaps of useable space. Sitting on 19in alloys it looks well and like all the IDs it is every bit a vehicle for the 21st century.
It’s an EV so there are two things I know to expect. Firstly, it will drive well. They all do. Secondly, range is key to a successful week and I’m heartened to see the readout maxing out at around 250 useful miles. On paper, VW claims 313 and once under way I’m thrilled with how slowly the charge is eaten up as I ply my cross-country foray to school.
But what a difference a day makes. At 15 degrees C the battery is perfectly happy to retain its charge. But the following day, when it is only six, the drop-off is much more marked. That said, I’m never especially anxious as it always seems to have plenty in the tank, sorry battery.
It takes charge rapidly too romping up to 80 per cent full in short order from a rapid charger and even taking it out of the mains plug at home at a decent pace for an overnight top up. The charging issue is becoming less and less of a problem and will be even better when Pod Point fit one at my house. It won’t be too long before petrol stations become mere places to buy snacks.
There are three power versions of the ID.5 and this is just the base model but 174PS is more than enough for most people’s wants and needs. It picks up pace rapidly and cruises in near silence, while the mid-range is fab for safe overtakes.
It weighs over two tonnes so it sits firmly in the road and handles in a confidence-inspiring way.
If you are going to build a technologically advanced car then the expectation is going to be high on specification. No problem then with the ID.5 as even the base ‘Style’ model feels anything but ‘entry-level’.
The net carbon-neutral ID.5 is equipped with the latest version of Volkswagen’s software, which allows over-the-air updates to continually improve the car.
The voice control system on the ID.5 is greatly improved over previous versions and actually understands my northern dulcet tones. No longer will I end up talking to Pete when I’ve actually asked it to ring Sarah.
There’s also a central airbag that prevents front seat occupants colliding in a side-impact or rollover, whether that is Pete or Sarah.
ID.5 comes with a Car2X system that enables the car to exchange information about local hazards with other vehicles and traffic infrastructure.
Its bag of goodies also includes Climatronic 3-Zone air conditioning, a 5.3-inch dash panel display, large touchscreen, trip computer, electric windows, front and rear, electrically adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors with projection puddle light, rain sensor automatic windscreen wipers, automatically heated front windscreen washer jets, a climate windscreen which assists defrosting and prevents fogging, keyless entry and starting system, remote tailgate unlocking via the key, heated driver and front passenger seats with height adjustment and armrests, heated, leather-trimmed, multifunction steering wheel with reach and rake adjustment and a variable boot floor, which is height-adjustable and removable.
Driving aids include adaptive cruise control, radar-sensor controlled distance monitoring, city emergency braking system with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, cruise control and a speed limiter.
Camera controlled lane assist warns you if the vehicle drifts and ID.5 also boasts oncoming vehicle braking and swerve support so you don’t crash in emergency situations. Quite a list, in fact it’s hard to imagine what’s left to fit to the higher specified models.
If nothing else the onslaught of electric vehicles has encouraged manufacturers to install a host of useful technology into our cars and that must surely be worth the effort.
Fact File
VW ID.5 Style Pro
Engine: electric 77 kWh
Power: 174PS
0-62mph: 10.4 secs
Top speed: 99mph
Range: 313 miles
Transmission: one speed, RWD
CO2 g/km: 0
Price: £51,420.00
