The ID.5 is essentially the same as the ID.4 under the skin, but with a more elegant, sloping coupe-like roofline. You’ll find similar stylistic upgrades in the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback and the Skoda Enyaq Coupe.

People do like this bodystyle, and it shows in sales numbers. Everyone wants their car to have some curb appeal after all.

But, considering it’s up against models like the BMW iX1, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Tesla Model Y, the ID.5 has its work cut out for it in the ever-competitive EV segment.

So how does it drive?

The Volkswagen ID.5 is relatively smooth for the most part, with quick but gentle acceleration that gives you more than enough grunt to overtake other motorists. 

282bhp and 545Nm of torque are at your disposal, keeping the century sprint time to 6.7 seconds. The best part is the car provides power with a calm, collected surge of energy.; no jerks or sudden lurches that may catch you or your passengers off guard.

If you’re craving that kind of power, the ID.5 GTX is on offer as well. Same interior, and roughly the same looks, but with more bite for your right foot.

When it comes to handling, the ID.5 holds its own. Sure, there’s a bit of understeer at low speeds, but with power going to the rear wheels, the car remains neutral and steady through corners. Steering feedback is minimal (as with most EVs) but the traction control does its job subtly, keeping the drive composed without being a killjoy.

At low speeds, the ride can be a bit on the stiff side; it feels like the suspension was tuned with a full load in mind. But once you get up to speed, the ID.5 really comes into its own.

It glides along smoothly, with barely any wind or tyre noise disturbing the peace.

Any bad points?

Whilst acceleration and handling is great, the brake feel does feel a little lacklustre, especially when combined with the car’s mild energy regeneration.

Even in ‘B’ mode, the regen isn’t strong enough to provide some variant of one-pedal driving.

Is the Volkswagen ID.5 efficient?

The ID.5 is impressively efficient, sipping power at an average of 17.0kWh/100km during my drive, which translates to a real-world range of over 420km on a single charge.

Built on Volkswagen’s new MEB platform, all ID.4 and ID.5 models come with an 82kWh battery in Singapore. In layman’s terms, that’s more than enough for a week of daily commuting without needing to hunt for a charger.

But how does this differ from the ID.4?

The ID.4 and ID.5 virtually drive the same way, but from a design perspective, the ID.5 goes for a sleeker, coupe-like look as opposed to the traditional SUV proportions of the ID.4.

Personally, I do like the more aggressive stance with the tapered roof; gives the car a bit more character.

And here’s a fun fact: while the ID.4 already boasts a respectable 543-litre boot, the ID.5 one-ups it with 549 litres, thanks to the rear bench being pushed slightly forward. This change hopefully prevents taller passengers from bumping their heads on the roof.

About the inside…

Stepping inside the Volkswagen ID.5 is like entering an Apple store – clean, minimalist, and a distinct lack of physical buttons. Everything’s controlled via a large screen and capacitive touch inputs.

The 12.8-inch infotainment system works well, but the touch-sensitive sliders and haptic buttons on the steering wheel can be finicky in operation. 

And while you do get a start/stop button, if you’re the kind who likes to leave the car running while running errands, the ID.5 shuts off every time you lift yourself off the seat. No override for this annoyance either.

The minimalist interior is tastefully done, with a mix of cloth, leather, and ambient lighting that gives it a premium feel. There’s plenty of room for everyone, even for three adults in the back, thanks to the flat floor.

Storage cubbies are well sorted, and you’ll find pockets for your phone, your keys, and whatever else you need to stash away, along with plenty of USB ports to keep everyone’s devices charged.

Sleek and stylish

The ID.5 is a well-rounded package, but it’s not without its quirks. It ticks a lot of boxes – spacious, clever storage solutions, decent electric range, plus a smooth, comfortable drive. It’s what most families look for in an EV, and you definitely do not need the extra power from the GTX.

Maybe it isn’t as eye-catching as some of its rivals, but when it comes to the overall package, the ID.5 stands tall.

Technical Specifications

Volkswagen ID.5 Electric

Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 210kW (282bhp)
Torque: 545Nm
Gearbox: Single Speed (A)
Acceleration: 6.7 Seconds (0-100km/h)
Battery Capacity: 82 kWh
Drive Range: 550 km
Energy Consumption: 4.7 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$229,900 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Volkswagen Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

It’s essentially the same vehicle under the skin, but with a more elegant, sloping coupe-like roofline that adds an extra touch of flair. The ID.5 seems like the stylish upgrade to the ID.4, akin to choosing a Smeg refrigerator.

Of course, this approach isn’t unique to Volkswagen. You’ll find similar stylistic upgrades in the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback and the Skoda Enyaq Coupe.

Both of these, like the ID.5 GTX, offer a fresh take on the practical electric SUV formula while catering to those who crave a bit more curb appeal.

It’s fast

Both the regular Volkswagen ID.5 and ID.5 GTX use the same 82kWh battery, but the GTX benefits from a second motor that boosts power to 335bhp, compared to the regular variant’s 282bhp.

If you’re expecting neck-snapping, throw-you-into-your-seat acceleration, you might want to temper your expectations a little. The ID.5 GTX delivers power smoothly, making it more comfortable than thrilling.

Sure, it’ll run the century mile in just 5.4 seconds, but it’s more of a composed performer than a high-adrenaline thrill machine. To me this is a good thing; think of it as a reliable choice for dicing through traffic rather than make you sick each time your right foot becomes heavy.

But it’s numb

Sadly, despite the added firepower, the GTX doesn’t feel dramatically different from the regular ID.5. It’s brisk, sure, but it doesn’t give you that deep sense of satisfaction you’d expect from a performance car.

The stiff suspension means it’s not the most comfortable crossover out there, despite the chunkier tyres. And it’s a heavy beast, tipping the scales at 2,242kg in its most basic form. That weight, combined with the stiff suspension and overly weighted-steering, can make it feel a bit cumbersome.

It’s a bit like driving in a video game with all the assists turned on; efficient and easy, but lacking that connection that makes driving feel human. 

The four-wheel-drive system keeps things in check, and it’ll get you where you’re going efficiently enough. But will it make you want to take the long, winding scenic route? Probably not. The GTX feels more like a means to an end rather than a thrilling drive.

There are still places where it shines

Where the ID.5 GTX shines, is its role as a highway cruiser. It’s stable, quiet, and eats up the miles with minimal fuss. The electric powertrain is efficient, and it’s dependable in traffic, too, with weighty but predictable steering and solid pedal feel.

In that case, for everyday driving, you might actually prefer the extra range you’d get from the less powerful variants. 

Speaking of range, smooth throttle inputs yield impressive efficiency, with the ID.5 GTX averaging 17.7kWh/100km (5.6km/kWh), remarkable for a dual-motor EV. You could easily cover at least 450km on a single charge, which is typically enough for a week’s worth of commuting.

It looks the same as the ID.4… right?

Well, mostly. From the front to the B-pillar, it’s basically the same car. But where the ID.4 sticks to typical SUV proportions, the ID.5 goes for a sleeker, coupe-like finish. 

But does the ID.5 really look better than the ID.4? Honestly, it’s a toss-up. Personally, I do like the more aggressive styling, and it gives the ID.5 more character.

And though the ID.4 is already pretty spacious with its 543-litre boot, the ID.5 manages to outdo it by offering 549 litres. This is due to the rear bench being pushed slightly forwards, in order for taller passengers to not bump up against the roofline of the ID.5. 

Although, even if you have both cars side by side, it is pretty tricky to tell there’s a difference.

How’s the space on the inside?

The interior is minimalist and spacious. Even with the coupe-like roofline, there’s plenty of room for three adults in the back, thanks to the flat floor. Storage is generous too, with a modular console and multiple pockets for your gadgets, plus plenty of USB ports scattered throughout.

The ID.5 GTX version spices things up with some sporty touches like GTX-specific badging, stitching, and bolstered sports seats that do a great job of holding you in place during cornering. And the panoramic sunroof is a real highlight, flooding the cabin with natural light and giving the space an airy feel.

No buttons, really?

Volkswagen has taken a “let’s go all-in on screens” approach with the ID.5. You’ll find a few haptic switches on the steering wheel, but apart from that, your entire interaction with the car is through the big 12.9-inch touchscreen in the centre.

The screen itself is crisp, with high-resolution graphics, and a few shortcut pads for commonly used menus. It works pretty well in practice, and the menus are simple enough to navigate, bar the climate controls.

Volkswagen touts the ‘Hello ID’ voice assistant as a solution to the screen’s quirks, but voice commands aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Then there are the touch controls on the steering wheel. They’re too sensitive, and it’s easy to brush against them accidentally, which can get annoying. And they don’t offer that tactile feedback you’d want when making selections.

On top of that, there are some questionable material choices. The dash, door panels, and knee-level surfaces feature plastics that feel more budget-friendly than premium. You’d think they’d go all out on materials, given the ID.5’s target audience.

The cabin isn’t all too bad, and it is liveable for the most part, except for one small irritating quirk; if you hop out for quick errands while leaving the car on, it will shut off every time you get off the seat. There’s no override for this, and it can get pretty frustrating.

Interesting impasse

The Volkswagen ID.5 GTX, on paper, seems like a solid enough effort from Volkswagen. But, like the ID.4 GTX I covered previously, it’s tough trying to justify spending more for the GTX, when the regular ID.5 works well and can perform almost everything its dual-motor sibling can muster.

It is by no means a bad car, but it’s just not compelling enough.

The GTX nameplate, in particular, feels forced. Instead of adding something special to the lineup, it just feels like another ID.5 variant with a few cosmetic tweaks. It deserves to be attached to something truly exciting, something Volkswagen has yet to create.

Technical Specifications

Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Electric

Powertrain: Dual Electric Motors, All-Wheel Drive
Power: 290kW (389bhp)
Torque: 545Nm
Gearbox: Single Speed (A)
Acceleration: 5.4 Seconds (0-100km/h)
Battery Capacity: 82 kWh
Drive Range: 533 km
Energy Consumption: 4.7 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$265,900 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Volkswagen Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!