Volkswagen ID.5

The Volkswagen ID.5 continues as the style-led alternative to the ID.4, offering the same MEB underpinnings and batteries wrapped in a coupe-SUV body. The headline news is its safety performance: a 5-star Euro NCAP rating with an outstanding 93 percent for adult occupant protection, 89 percent for child occupants and 85 percent for safety assist - among the strongest results in the class.

UK pricing is where it gets interesting. The Essential Pro starts at GBP 36,995 and includes the big 77 kWh battery with 344 miles of range, making it clearly the value pick, while Match, Black Edition and the 344 hp GTX Edition 4MOTION run from GBP 45,900 up to GBP 54,400. Discounts of around GBP 3,800 off RRP are widely available. Reviewers remain mixed on the driving experience, typically scoring it around 6/10 and criticising dull steering and some cheap-feeling cabin plastics, but praising its space, refinement and efficiency of 4.0 to 4.4 mi/kWh.

The ID.5 offers a clear step up as you move through the range. The entry 52 kWh version makes 170 hp and 310 Nm for 227 miles WLTP and a leisurely 8.9-second 0-62 mph, while the popular 77 kWh Pro produces 286 hp and 430 Nm for 344 miles. The 79 kWh version stretches to 352 miles, and the GTX 4MOTION adds a second motor for 344 hp, 545 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.4-second 0-62 mph time.

Real-world figures hold up well thanks to efficiency of 4.0 to 4.4 miles per kWh - expect around 275 miles from the 77 kWh and 282 from the 79 kWh. The trade-off is that the ID.5 is tuned for comfort rather than engagement; the steering is the most criticised aspect, feeling dull and remote even in the GTX with its sports suspension. As a quiet, long-legged cruiser, though, it does the job well.

Safety is the ID.5's standout strength. It holds a 5-star Euro NCAP rating with an outstanding 93 percent score for adult occupant protection, 89 percent for child occupants and 85 percent for safety assist - figures that put it among the very best electric SUVs tested. Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, VW's Travel Assist lane-centring system, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, multiple airbags and ISOFIX anchors. For family buyers, that combination of a top rating and comprehensive assistance tech is a compelling reason to choose it.

The ID.5 charges at up to 135 kW on DC, taking the battery from 20 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes - solid rather than class-leading, but enough to keep motorway stops short. At home, an 11 or 22 kW AC supply gives a full charge in around 8 hours, while a more typical 7 kW wallbox takes about 12 hours. It uses a CCS (Type 2) connector, and its 4.0 to 4.4 mi/kWh efficiency means each charge covers a genuinely useful distance, keeping running costs low.

Volkswagen covers the ID.5 with a 3-year or 60,000-mile vehicle warranty plus an 8-year or 100,000-mile high-voltage battery warranty, in line with the segment. VW's large UK dealer network makes servicing convenient and parts easy to source, and fixed-price service plans are available to spread the cost. Confirm the latest terms and any extended-warranty options with your Volkswagen dealer at purchase.

The Volkswagen ID.5 is a car you buy with your eyes. Mechanically it is an ID.4, so you get the same strong batteries, 344 miles of range, big 549-litre boot and 1,800 kg towing - but wrapped in a far more stylish coupe-SUV body. Its safety performance is exceptional, with a 93 percent adult Euro NCAP score, and the GBP 36,995 Essential Pro, which includes the big 77 kWh battery, is genuinely strong value. Be honest with yourself about the drive, though: reviewers score it around 6/10, and the dull steering and patchy cabin plastics are real criticisms. If you want style, space and safety in a comfortable cruiser, it works well; if you want driver engagement, look elsewhere.

The ID.5's closest rival is its own ID.4 sibling - same mechanicals, more style, slightly less rear headroom and usually a bit more money, so it is largely a design choice. Against the Skoda Enyaq Coupe, which shares the MEB platform, the Skoda often offers better value and practicality. Versus the Tesla Model Y, the ID.5 is more comfortable and far better rated on crash safety, but gives up the Supercharger network and software polish. Compared with the Kia EV6, the VW loses on charging speed and driving engagement but counters with towing ability and that 93 percent adult safety score. In short: choose the ID.5 for looks, safety and comfort, not for driving thrills.

Buy the ID.5 if you like the coupe-SUV styling and want ID.4 substance underneath - and target the Essential Pro at GBP 36,995, which includes the big 77 kWh battery and 344 miles of range, making the higher trims hard to justify. Consider the GTX Edition only if you genuinely want all-wheel drive and 5.4-second pace, as it is a big jump to GBP 54,400. Look elsewhere if you value driving engagement (the steering is widely criticised), need maximum rear headroom (the ID.4 is better), or want the sharpest value, where the Skoda Enyaq Coupe is worth comparing. Always test drive it first.

The ID.5 is cheap to run. Efficiency of 4.0 to 4.4 miles per kWh keeps home-charging costs well below petrol, and EV maintenance is minimal thanks to regenerative braking and rear drum brakes on most versions. Road tax is modest at GBP 10 in the first year and GBP 195 thereafter, and company-car drivers benefit from a 0 percent Benefit-in-Kind rate, which makes the ID.5 exceptionally cheap on a salary-sacrifice or business scheme. Discounts of around GBP 3,800 off RRP also improve the value equation, though used values reflect the model's mixed reviews.

The ID.5 is very attractive on tax in the UK. Company-car drivers benefit from a 0 percent Benefit-in-Kind rate, which makes it dramatically cheaper than a petrol equivalent on business and salary-sacrifice schemes - often the single biggest saving of EV ownership. Vehicle Excise Duty is GBP 10 in the first year and GBP 195 in subsequent years, and higher-priced versions such as the GTX may attract the expensive-car VED supplement, which is worth checking before you order. It is also ULEZ-compliant. Confirm current rates before buying.

Like all EVs, the ID.5 needs far less maintenance than a petrol SUV - no engine oil, no spark plugs, no clutch and no exhaust - and regenerative braking means brake components last longer, with most versions using rear drums that need less attention. Routine servicing covers tyres, brake fluid, cabin filter and software updates at set intervals. Volkswagen's large, well-established UK dealer network makes servicing easy and parts readily available, and the 8-year battery warranty protects the most expensive component.