Volkswagen ID.7 evaluation: A greater EV that's a sedan

SUVs dominate the American panorama. They make up about half of all automobiles bought. So, when Volkswagen wished to launch their assault on America after the Dieselgate EV assault, it is smart that they began with the ID.4. As SUVs go, it's on the small aspect, however it's an SUV nonetheless.

After which… nothing. For years. Whereas European consumers even have the choice of the ID.3 hatchback (which we'll in all probability by no means get) and the brand new ID Buzz Van, we're caught ready. Now, Volkswagen isn’t solely bringing us a retro-minded EV van, however its long-awaited ID.7 sedan can also be changing into accessible to US sellers in 2024.

Volkswagen has been quietly sowing the seeds of anticipation round this lengthy and opulent experience. Though the automobile gained't attain sellers till later this 12 months, I used to be fortunate sufficient to have just a few days out across the metropolis in a pre-production, German-spec ID.7. After some chilly, winter-weather testing, I'm actually impressed with what Volkswagen seems to be set to ship, even when this sedan doesn't supply probably the most memorable driving expertise.

The 2024 ID.7 is a sort of sedan that’s changing into 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.

By way of sedans, whereas the ID.7 isn't probably the most thrilling wanting automobile of the second, it does have a clear, refined look that offers it extra presence than the easy ID.4. However there are actually some stylistic components borrowed from the 4, probably the most notable of which is the one sweeping line that varieties the form of the roof, beginning on the root of the windshield, as much as the principle A-pillar, over the doorways and again down. It’s shifting. field.

The general profile is basically the identical because the Arteon, however there may be considerably much less chrome and fewer particulars on the ID.7. The largest change happens on the nostril. The place the Arteon has a pronounced grille, the electrical ID.7, with its decrease cooling necessities, has a small air inlet on the backside on a largely featureless nostril.

The general impact is of a refined, luxurious automobile, particularly within the delicate Moonstone Grey colour you see right here. Nevertheless, I'm advised the nostril will look a bit extra aggressive, a minimum of on the American sedan.

Now, earlier than we get too far into this, I wish to say that I'm calling this a sedan though 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 toes of cargo capability. For reference, that's about 25 p.c greater than the Camry.

Pulling a slight lever on both aspect of the cargo compartment folds the rear seats, doubling cargo area to 56 cubic toes.

These are stable numbers, however I’ve dangerous information for Frank followers: There's no cupboard space. You may open the hood and see all of the high-voltage elements, however there's not even a token cubby for the charging cable.

I do know this can upset a few of you, however I’ve no downside with it. Though EVs don't have engines, their inverters, chillers, warmth pumps and different elements must go someplace. Stuffing them below the hood opens up the format of the remainder of the automobile.

And that format is large. The rear seats present ample legroom up entrance. Even the tallest individuals can stretch ahead, look via the panoramic sunroof, and benefit from the seat heater pumping. These rear seats are fairly comfy, even providing a little bit of lateral assist.

However, aside from that, rear seat placement is considerably sparse: only a few USB-C ports to maintain units on the go, and some deep door pockets for water bottles or a Steam Deck.

There's loads of storage up entrance, together with a floating heart console with area beneath for a medium-sized purse or pups. The entrance portion of the armrest has a sliding cowl that exposes cupholders, a wi-fi charger, and one other pair of USB-C ports. The again encompasses a deep, vast cavity, good for storing no matter you wish to overlook.

The entrance seats are much more enticing than the rear. Deep, plush, and lined with “Artwork Velors” and Artex microfiber, they don’t seem to be solely great to own, however fairly pleasing to have a look at, with vents and blue piping. The entrance seats are heated and cooled, and there may be even a therapeutic massage operate.

Though good, there's nothing new in regards to the ID.7's seats. Nevertheless, Volkswagen has mixed them with some logic to create an in-car expertise that’s remarkably delicate to your wants.

Like many vehicles right this moment, the ID.7 has a pseudo-intelligent voice assistant that you may name by identify. VW calls it Ida, however you possibly can change the identify to no matter you need. The voice assistant handles all the pieces from navigation duties to getting into addresses or discovering your nearest Starbucks to modifying in-car settings.

What's thrilling is what the voice assistant and the ID.7's HVAC system can do. You may say, “Howdy, Ida, my toes are chilly,” and it’ll direct heat air to stream downward into the cabin.

We first noticed this within the ID.4, however within the ID.7, Volkswagen takes it to a different degree because of the automobile's digital vents. Say, “I'm chilly,” and for those who're alone within the automobile, the HVAC system will routinely heart all of the vents on you for max toasty toastiness.

There are another neat methods, like a seat mode referred to as “Dry Enhance” that mixes heating and air flow. That is meant to be a fast repair for when issues are getting a bit murky – you realize, down there.

What you possibly can't management through voice is managed by a 15-inch touchscreen that's positioned within the heart of the dashboard. The ID.7 presents a shiny, clear, customizable interface that you simply'd in all probability exchange with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay (each wi-fi). However on the subject of the fundamentals of fast entry to heating controls or altering automobile settings, it's all fast and straightforward.

Volkswagen's software program interface has come a great distance because the gradual mess that began with ID 4 years in the past.

Extra controls are discovered on the steering wheel, and sadly, they're of the capacitive contact sort. Volkswagen deployed these on the ID.4 to typically adverse opinions, and I'm glad to see the upcoming Golf return to actual buttons. It’s not so right here.

I additionally bemoan the dearth of a bodily quantity knob, however I'm afraid I'm within the minority with that grievance.

Regardless of its proportions, the ID.7 has a small gauge cluster behind the steering wheel, just like the ID.4 or Ford Mustang Mach-E. Nonetheless, it tells you all the pieces that you must know in regards to the pace and situation of the car.

However there's want after which there's additionally need, and also you'll wish to have a look at sizable, augmented actuality head-up shows. One other slim gauge cluster is projected onto the windscreen, displaying extra details about energetic security programs and state of cost. It's a slight duplicate of the gauge cluster, which makes me marvel if the latter is important, however the bigger strikes are larger on the glass.

Veering too far out of the lane, and the HUD attracts a flashing orange line on the street as a type of visible cue to let you know to cease swerving and get your ass again in line. It should additionally assist with navigation prompts and different proactive security warnings.

It's not as superior because the HUD discovered within the Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan, however that factor in all probability prices twice as a lot, so I'll take a lower. I really like seeing superior expertise come into extra attainable vehicles like this.

Sadly, I couldn't pattern the navigation performance. This German automobile got here to me with out native map knowledge, which meant the automobile's navigation display screen was nothing greater than a giant, white field. It had no roads, no factors of curiosity, not even a Starbucks. Subsequently, I used to be unable to check the augmented actuality navigation within the ID.7. However, having used these programs on different vehicles up to now, I can let you know {that a} big arrow floating in area, actually pointing the best way residence, makes it very arduous to overlook your flip.

And, if that's not sufficient, the ID.7 continues the road of LEDs alongside the windshield which are additionally featured on the ID.4. They are going to flash and blink to let you realize about upcoming turns and disoriented pedestrians.

The Volkswagen ID.7 is a unbelievable automobile in some ways, and that's how I’d classify the driving dynamics. Or, ought to I say, lack of mobility. The mannequin I drove was the rear-wheel drive trim that may match the primary vehicles coming to the US later this 12 months with 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque.

These could be acceptable numbers in most sedans, however keep in mind, it is a tall EV with a giant battery pack. It's a heavy machine, and that mixture leads to stable however hardly neck-snapping acceleration.

In the event you're a type of who want extra energy, a dual-motor all-wheel drive taste is alleged to be coming in time. However, to be sincere, I neither wanted nor wished the ID.7 to be a rocket ship.

There are many different EVs combating for kidney-busting acceleration honors. I would really like extra producers to concentrate on experience high quality and luxury. The ID.7 excels in that division. It floats over tough terrain, taking just a few moments to settle after working over practice tracks, however it does properly within the persistent frost ruts and asphalt cracks that criss-cross New York streets this time of 12 months. Absorbs carelessly.

Certain, the steering is numb, the brake pedal is lengthy and gentle, and the throttle is lax even in sport mode, however none of that bothered me. I used to be too busy having fun with the experience and the wonderful Harman Kardon sound system.

I do know, you all should be questioning in regards to the vary. I can let you know I averaged 2.8 miles per kilowatt-hour, which equates to a theoretical 230 miles from the 82kWh battery pack we get within the U.S. Nevertheless, I did most of my testing throughout a winter storm, when The temperature was beneath zero. , Some acceleration assessments additionally passed off alongside the best way.

In different phrases, worst case situation. Volkswagen says count on 386 miles in European WLTP testing. With out full EPA testing we will't say something for certain, however 320 miles needs to be an affordable estimate for the US mannequin.

We will't say for certain about pricing but, and that's a disgrace as a result of it's arduous to suggest a product for those who don't understand how a lot it would price. Trying on the ID.4 and the place the European ID.7 falls, I’d estimate a value within the low to mid $50,000s. For an extended, comfy sedan with the luxurious aspirations and practicality of a hatchback, this could make the ID.7 an affordable worth.

By way of the most well-liked EV on the street, the ID.7 can be priced nearer to the Tesla Mannequin 3 than the Mannequin S, regardless of it providing extra practicality and luxury than the Mannequin S. Certain, it gained't supply the identical pace, and it actually can have much less vary, however in my eyes, when you go greater than 300 miles on a cost, the distinction is basically tutorial.

Nevertheless, the query is whether or not there actually is a marketplace for this factor. Though the ID.4 hasn't taken the world by storm, it's gaining momentum for Volkswagen within the US market. EV gross sales had been greater than 80 p.c final 12 months, accounting for greater than 10 p.c of VW's whole gross sales right here. VW had a powerful 12 months typically, with gross sales up 40 p.c final quarter and 10 p.c for the complete 12 months.

So VW's curiosity in EVs is rising, however there isn't a lot demand for sedans proper now. The Arteon was by no means a powerful vendor, and it's arduous to think about the ID.7 following so intently in its footsteps.

The ID.7 is superb, and makes for a really enticing different to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 on the decrease finish or the Tesla Mannequin S on the larger finish. If the value is true, I'd get one in every of these too. However I'm unhappy that after ID.Buzz lastly shuts down, that is the one VW anybody can be speaking about.

Images by Tim Stevens/The Verge