We must admit that cars continue to be outnumbered by the many SUVs dominating the roads. Even though they are busy, electric vehicles are still outnumbered by internal combustion engine vehicles. Into this fray, Volkswagen gamely unveiled the 2025 Volkswagen ID7, a premium mid-size electric hatchback sedan. VW will first offer it in Europe before reaching North American showrooms in the summer of 2024 with a semi-affordable price tag expected to start at around $50,000.
We'll initially get a single-engine, rear- or all-wheel-drive car with an 82 kWh battery, a new powertrain, a driving range of more than 300 miles, and some innovative new features inside designed to make road trips more enjoyable. comfortable.
It all comes in a solid if not exciting hatchback design. In this sense, the 2025 VW ID7 is a spiritual successor to the Volkswagen Phaeton, with design cues that hint at its big brother's kinship to the VW ID4.
The 2025 VW ID7 is the seventh member of the company's global ID family, but currently, only the ID4 is offered in North America, and the ID Buzz is coming next year. These vehicles use the MEB electric platform that underlies several vehicles within the Volkswagen Group.
The single-engine VW ID7 will now be sold in Europe, and the same version will arrive in North America next year. We drove the top-of-the-line ID7 Pro S along a stunning coastal region outside Marseilles, France, a location that felt right for cruising in a car with a large panoramic glass roof with a tint that can be adjusted to change from opaque to clear.
New Powertrain Makes a Difference
The 2025 VW ID7 introduces a second-generation PSM e-motor and a new inverter as part of Volkswagen's new APP 550 drivetrain that will also be used on the long-wheelbase Volkswagen ID Buzz electric bus slated for the US. The permanent magnet synchronous motor develops 282 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque.
This new powertrain allows the ID7 to get more power from the same 82 kWh battery compared to the ID4. And increased range, helped by the low-slung car's 0.23 drag coefficient, makes it the slipperiest VW.
Range with standard batteries will exceed 300 miles; the exact figure is still unknown. ID7 can charge up to 127 miles of range in 10 minutes with charging speeds of up to 175 kW. To go from 10 percent to 80 percent charging takes 28 minutes.
GTX Came But Not With That Name
Next year, Volkswagen will introduce a more powerful ID7 GTX model with a second motor for Europe. North America will also get an all-wheel-drive variant; however, it won't be called GTX in the US. The ID7 family will also have a wagon for Europe based on the Tourer concept, and there are no plans to bring it to this market.
VW will also next year add a larger 91 kWh battery for the European market. North American-based company executives are also working to bring it here, hopefully in time for the second model year.
Regardless, the standard powertrain and battery are more than enough for now. Firing the ID7 with the standard battery puts you back in the seat, although the burst of torque and speed is followed by a noticeable hesitation before acceleration resumes.
Enter into
VW calls the ID7's interior a "second-generation ID" with upgraded software, an optional Harmon Kardon audio system, and a heating and cooling system with smart air vents that start conditioning the cabin as you approach the vehicle.
The car introduces new premium seats with sensors to detect when your bottom needs warming up or cooling down. Climb into an ergoActive chair with extra air pockets to stimulate your pelvis and spine with a new pressure point massage. This is just one of many massage options, all of which allow you to adjust the intensity level, and we can attest to their effectiveness—they're the best. One reason: Activating massage via the infotainment screen may be a bit difficult for passengers because the icon is on the far left of the center touchscreen.
Our ID7 Pro S test car had black perforated suede seats with blue piping and white stitching. The cabin is minimalist but not so frill-free that it feels cold or uninviting. There's a USB outlet, a wireless charger that holds the phone in place, cup holders in the cockpit with glossy black and wood trim, and more Alcantara on the doors to create a warm atmosphere. Indeed, the materials are more premium than we've come to expect from VW these days. The rear seats are also heated, with controls behind them, and there are USB outlets in the rear seats. There's plenty of legroom, and headroom is decent, but taller passengers will have to regret the fastback. On the other hand, the hatch opens to a large opening and has a cargo cover.
Introducing the VW Big Screen
The introduction of VW's first 15-inch display dominates the cabin. It's mounted on the front of the dashboard, sits low enough so as not to obscure visibility, and displays excellent graphics. Most commands are created on the screen, divided into vertical lines with a permanent menu at the top, a large icon library in the middle, and permanent HVAC commands at the bottom. Below the screen, there are sliders to adjust the volume and temperature. VW says it has restructured its system to make it easier to use; still needs some digging, but it's much better.
Voice control is problematic. You can activate the digital voice assistant by saying "Hi IDA" or even "Hi ID". But after a few days of driving, the system suddenly turned on, leaving me and my co-driver confused about what we should say to wake it up. The radio also turns on randomly. When we did need help, the assistant sometimes responded. While working, IDA can change the ambient lighting, open the roof color for stargazing, change modes for sportier driving, or answer trivia questions. Tell him your hands are cold and he'll set the smart vents to direct hot air if you don't want to open the screen and adjust the vents manually. But in what appears to be a last-minute decision, “Hey IDA” will not be activated for the US market.
Not Your Standard Driver View
When behind the wheel, the driver may be surprised to see only a small display of the driver's screen. The screen is small because most of the information is placed on the augmented reality head-up display. As a driver, you quickly learn to rely on the HUD for everything you need to drive, from speed to navigation to range. You can adjust the display to your line of sight, it's easy to see and use, and it's instantly comfortable to use. One cool feature: Set a lane with the navigation system, and blue lights move across the width of the car, under the windshield, indicating the direction of the turn ahead.
Drivers can choose D for drive or B for electric drive with more braking energy regeneration. However, you can't adjust the regen amount, and the 2025 VW ID7 doesn't offer one-pedal driving. This means the car will slow down when you release the accelerator, but will not stop completely. Braking isn't hard at all—you'd never know it was an electric vehicle if someone didn't tell you.
VW says it designed the steering to provide a better turning radius. It's tough and can be a little unsettling at times, but it's better than feeling numb or disconnected from the path. Engineers say they didn't consider rear steering for the ID7.
Adaptive suspension dampers provide a very smooth ride. It's true, the ID7 offers an upgraded five-link rear axle with new bushings for better damping. There's little body roll with a low center of gravity, and the car handles corners well. The overall result is a quiet, comfortable, and capable—if not always exciting—driving experience. Think poached eggs but not eggs Benedict.
Engineers also worked to create greater differentiation between Comfort and Sport modes (there are also Eco and Individual settings). The steering tightens up, and the throttle becomes more sensitive in Sport, but the difference isn't huge. Switching modes must be done on the screen, as there are no physical buttons to make changes.
Assisted Driving
Most driver assistance systems worked well during our evaluation. Adaptive cruise control moderates traffic speeds smoothly. A function that adjusts the ID7's speed to changes in speed limits is a welcome feature in Europe but won't be offered, or perhaps overlooked, in North America. Lane-keeping assist is excellent, keeping the vehicle perfectly centered with no gradual sway to either side of the lane.
Travel Assist adds automatic lane changes to the driver assistance features. We have had varying degrees of success with the lane change function. This works in some cars and not others, and sometimes and not others. Tap the turn signal, and the car's sensors make sure it's safe before changing lanes. It is designed to work on mapped highways when the vehicle is traveling faster than 56 mph and the driver is holding the steering wheel.
The new VW ID7 is built in Emden, Germany, and goes on sale in the US in late summer with prices expected to start around $50,000 for the Pro and $55,000 for the Pro S. Of course, there's more to come. bigger battery.
The 2025 VW ID7 is the most advanced vehicle in the ID family, and the automaker says it will incorporate some of its advances into the ID3, ID4, and ID5. The new car shows that VW can learn from its mistakes, with more premium materials, better technology, and an improved driver interface. It may not be the sexiest new electric car on the market, but it should be a solid choice once some of its bugs are ironed out.
2025 Volkswagen ID7 Specifications
Base price $50,000-$55,000 (MT estimate)
Front and rear motor layout, RWD/AWD, 5 passengers, 4-door sedan
282-hp/402-lb-ft permanent magnet Electric Motor
Motor Type 82 kWh
1-speed Automatic Transmission
Limit Weight 4,500 pounds (MT estimate)
The wheelbase is 117.0 inches
L x W x H 195.3 x 73.3 x 60.6 inches
0-60 MPH 6.5 seconds (estimated mfr)
EPA Fuel ECON TBD
EPA Range, COMB 300 miles (MT estimate)
On sale Summer 2024
