Volkswagen ID.7 evaluation: a superior EV that occurs to be a sedan

SUVs dominate the American panorama. They make up roughly half of all autos offered. So, when Volkswagen needed to start their post-Dieselgate EV assault on the US, it is smart that they began with the ID.4. As SUVs go, it’s on the small facet, however an SUV it’s nonetheless.

After which… nothing. For years. Whereas European consumers even have the selection of the ID.3 hatchback (which we’ll seemingly by no means get) and the brand new ID Buzz van, we had been caught ready. Now, not solely is Volkswagen lastly bringing us it’s reto-minded EV van, its long-awaited ID.7 sedan can be hitting US sellers in 2024.

Volkswagen has been quietly planting the seeds of anticipation round this lengthy and splendid journey. Although the automobile received’t arrive at sellers till later this yr, I’ve been fortunate to spend a number of days wheeling round city in a pre-production, German-spec ID.7. After some frigid, winter-weather testing, I’m genuinely impressed with what Volkswagen seems set to ship, even when this sedan doesn’t provide essentially the most memorable of driving experiences.

The 2024 ID.7 is a sedan of a kind that’s more and more unusual in the USA. Its wheelbase is 5 inches longer than the generously proportioned Arteon sedan, which is leaving the US market amid an industry-wide sedan decline. 

As sedans go, whereas the ID.7 isn’t essentially the most exciting-looking automobile of the second, it has a clear, refined look that provides it extra presence than the common-or-garden ID.4. However there are undoubtedly some stylistic parts borrowed from the 4, most notable being the only sweeping line that kinds the form of the roof, operating from the foundation of the windshield, up the main A-pillar, above the doorways, and again all the way down to the trunk.

The general profile is far the identical because the Arteon, however there’s considerably much less chrome and fewer particulars on the ID.7. The largest change is on the nostril. The place the Arteon has a pronounced grille, the electrical ID.7, with its lowered cooling wants, simply has a small air inlet down low on a largely featureless nostril.

The general impression is of a classy, stately automobile, particularly within the refined moonstone grey coloration you see right here. Nevertheless, I’m informed the nostril at the very least will look barely extra aggressive on the eventual US sedan.

Now, earlier than we get too far into this, I need to say that I’m calling this a sedan despite the fact that it doesn’t have a correct trunk. The ID.7 has a liftback hatch, just like the Arteon, and it opens to disclose a wholesome 18.7 cubic ft of cargo capability. That’s about 25 p.c greater than a Camry, for reference.

The rear seats fold down on the tug of slightly lever on both facet of the cargo compartment, greater than doubling the cargo house to 56 cubic ft.

These are strong numbers, however I’ve unhealthy information for frunk followers: there’s no cupboard space up there. You’ll be able to open the hood and gaze upon all of the high-voltage tools, however there isn’t even a token cubby for charging cables. 

I do know that may upset a few of you, however I’m okay with it. Although EVs don’t have engines, their inverters, chillers, warmth pumps, and different elements should go someplace. Stuffing them underneath the hood opens up the format of the remainder of the automobile.

And that format is spacious. The rear seats provide sufficient legroom for an influence ahead. Even the tallest of parents can stretch out, gaze up via the panoramic sunroof, and luxuriate with the seat heaters pumping. These rear seats are lots comfy, even providing a modicum of lateral assist. 

However, past that, rear seat appointments are few: simply a few USB-C ports to maintain units juiced and a few deep door pockets for water bottles or Steam Decks.

There’s numerous storage up entrance, too, together with a floating middle console with room beneath for moderate-sized purses or puppies. The ahead part of the armrest has a sliding cowl that exposes cupholders, a wi-fi charger, and one other pair of USB-C ports. The aft portion has a deep, extensive cavity, excellent for putting no matter you need to overlook about. 

Entrance seats are much more inviting than the rears. Deep, plush, and sueded with “Artwork Velours” and Artex microfibers, they don’t seem to be solely fantastic to occupy however, with the perforations and blue piping, fairly pleasing to have a look at. Entrance seats are heated and cooled, and there’s even a therapeutic massage operate. 

Although good, there’s nothing significantly novel in regards to the ID.7’s seats. Nevertheless, Volkswagen has paired them with some logic to create an in-car expertise that’s remarkably delicate to your wants. 

Like so many vehicles at this time, the ID.7 has a pseudo-intelligent voice assistant that you could summon by title. VW calls this one Ida, however you possibly can rename it to no matter you want. The voice assistant handles every thing from navigation duties, like coming into addresses or discovering your closest Starbucks, to modifying in-car settings.

The thrilling stuff is what the voice assistant and the ID.7 ‘s HVAC system can do. You’ll be able to say, “Whats up, Ida, my ft are chilly,” and it’ll direct heat air to movement down low within the cabin. 

We noticed this primary within the ID.4, however within the ID.7, Volkswagen takes it to a different degree due to the automobile’s digital vents. Say, “I’m chilly,” and when you’re the one one within the automobile, the HVAC system will routinely middle all of the vents on you for max tootsie toasting.

There are another neat methods, like a seat mode referred to as “Dry Enhance” that mixes warmth and air flow. It’s meant to be a fast repair for when issues are getting a bit swampy — , down there. 

What you possibly can’t management through voice is dealt with by the 15-inch touchscreen that sits proud within the middle of the dashboard. The ID.7 presents a vibrant, clear, customizable interface that you simply’ll in all probability simply exchange with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay anyway (each wi-fi). However in the case of the fundamentals of rapidly accessing heating controls or altering automobile settings, it’s all fast and straightforward.

Volkswagen’s software program interface has come a good distance for the reason that laggy mess that launched within the ID.4 years in the past. 

Extra controls are discovered on the steering wheel, and sadly, they’re of the capacitive contact kind. Volkswagen deployed these on the ID.4 to usually destructive evaluations, and I used to be glad to see that the upcoming Golf has returned to precise buttons. Not so right here.

I additionally lament the shortage of a bodily quantity knob, however I concern I’m more and more within the minority with that grievance.

Regardless of its proportions, the ID.7 has a diminutive little gauge cluster behind the steering wheel, much like the ID.4 or the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Nonetheless, it conveys every thing you want about pace and automobile standing. 

However there’s want after which there’s need, and also you’ll need to take a look at the generously sized, augmented actuality heads-up show. Projected onto the windscreen is one other slender gauge cluster, which reveals extra details about energetic security techniques and state of cost. It’s a bit duplicative of the gauge cluster, making me ponder whether the latter is important, however the greater methods occur increased on the glass.

Wander too far out of the lane, and the HUD paints a flashing orange line on the highway as a kind of visible cue to cease meandering and get your ass again in line. It’ll additionally assist with navigation cues and different energetic security warnings.

It’s not fairly as superior because the HUD discovered within the Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan, however that factor prices about twice as a lot as this in all probability will, so I’ll reduce it some slack. I do love seeing superior tech coming all the way down to extra attainable vehicles like this. 

Sadly, I couldn’t pattern the navigation performance. This German automobile got here to me with out native map information, which meant the automobile’s navigation display screen was nothing greater than an enormous, white field. It had no roads, no factors of curiosity, not even Starbucks. So, I used to be unable to check out the augmented actuality nav within the ID.7. However, having used these techniques on different vehicles prior to now, I can inform you that having an enormous arrow floating in house, actually pointing the way in which dwelling, makes it lots more durable to overlook your flip. 

And, if that’s not sufficient, the ID.7 continues the row of LEDs alongside the windshield which can be additionally featured on the ID.4. They’ll flash and blink to let of upcoming turns and wayward pedestrians. 

The Volkswagen ID.7 is an opulent automobile in some ways, and that’s additionally how I’d classify the driving dynamic. Or, I ought to say, the shortage of dynamic. The mannequin I drove was the rear-wheel drive trim that may match the primary vehicles coming to the US later this yr, with 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque. 

These could be acceptable numbers in most sedans, however keep in mind, it is a lengthy EV with an enormous battery pack. It’s a heavy machine, and that mixture ends in strong however hardly neck-snapping acceleration. 

In case you’re the type who wants extra energy, a dual-motor all-wheel drive taste is claimed to be coming in time. However, truthfully, I didn’t want or need the ID.7 to be a rocket ship. 

Loads of different EVs are preventing for kidney-bursting acceleration honors. I’d relatively see extra producers give attention to journey high quality and luxury. The ID.7 excels in that division. It’s floaty over bumps, taking a number of moments to settle after cruising over railroad tracks, nevertheless it nonchalantly absorbs the incessant frost heaves and asphalt cracks that criss-cross upstate NY roads this time of yr. 

Positive, the steering is sluggish, the brake pedal lengthy and mushy, and the throttle relaxed even in sport mode, however none of that bothered me. I used to be too busy having fun with the journey — and the superb Harman Kardon sound system. 

I do know, you’re all questioning in regards to the vary. I can inform you that I averaged 2.8 miles per kilowatt-hour, which equates to a theoretical 230 miles from the 82kWh battery pack we’ll get within the U.S. Nevertheless, I did most of my testing throughout a winter storm, with temperatures beneath freezing. There have been additionally fairly a number of acceleration assessments alongside the way in which.

In different phrases, the worst-case state of affairs. Volkswagen says to anticipate 386 miles on the European WLTP check. We are able to’t say for positive and not using a accomplished EPA check, however 320 miles ought to be an affordable estimate for the US mannequin.

We can also’t say pricing for positive but, and that’s a disgrace as a result of it’s onerous to suggest a product when you don’t know the way a lot it’ll price. Trying on the ID.4 and the place the European ID.7 falls, I’d guess at a low-to-mid $50,000 value. For a protracted, comfy sedan with luxurious aspirations plus the practicality of a hatchback, that might make the ID.7 a correct worth.

By way of the preferred EVs on the highway, that might value the ID.7 nearer to the Tesla Mannequin 3 than the Mannequin S, regardless of it providing practicality and luxury in extra of the latter. It received’t provide the pace, in fact, and can certainly come up brief on vary, however in my eye, when you’re over 300 miles on a cost, the distinction is essentially tutorial.

The query, although, is whether or not there’s really a marketplace for this factor right here. Whereas the ID.4 hasn’t precisely taken the world by storm, it has been gaining momentum for Volkswagen within the US market. Gross sales of the EV had been up greater than 80 p.c final yr, making up greater than 10 p.c of VW’s total gross sales right here. VW had a powerful yr on the whole, with gross sales up 40 p.c final quarter and 10 p.c for the complete yr.

So there may be rising curiosity in VW’s EVs, however sedans aren’t precisely in sizzling demand proper now. The Arteon was by no means a powerful vendor, and it’s onerous to think about the ID.7 discovering blow-out success following so intently in its footsteps. 

The ID.7 is rattling good, and it makes for a really compelling different to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 on the low finish or a Tesla Mannequin S on the upper finish. If the worth is correct, I’ll take one in every of these over both. However I’ve a sinking feeling that after the ID.Buzz lastly drops, that’s the one VW anybody’s going to be speaking about.

Pictures by Tim Stevens / The Verge