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Battery size: 77-86 kWh
Range: 359 - 424 miles
Company car tax: 2%
Max charge rate: 175 - 200kW
Naturally, the Tourer takes the ID.7 saloon (which is really a hatchback but looks like a traditional booted saloon car) and adds a whole load of practicality tacked on the back. The boot is positively enormous, and there are plenty of clever touches including an adjustable boot floor. Back seat passengers won't have any complaints when it comes to space, either.
Up front it’s pretty roomy, too – and more of what you might expect a Volkswagen to be like. Up to now, VW’s ID models have been very minimalist but also lacking in material quality. The ID.7, though, changes this as VW has really ramped up the luxury. The technology is good too with the large touchscreen infotainment system being a far cry from the frustrating systems found in early ID models such as the ID.3 hatchback.
There’s the choice of batteries, too, with the largest battery yielding a range of over 420 miles if you believe VW. On paper that sounds fantastic and finally means long distance electric motoring for families has arrived. The Tourer even comes in a sporty GTX version giving four-wheel drive and sharp performance.
Range, Battery and Charging
The entry-level Pro Match gets one of VW’s 77kWh ubiquitous batteries that’s good for 373 miles, but the mid-range Pro S and sporty GTX versions get a brand new 86kWh pack. For the Pro S this equates to 424 miles of WLTP range, while the sporty GTX can only manage 359 miles officially due to its extra motor – it’s four-wheel drive, you see. The official, on-paper figures are one thing, though. Real-world range is quite another... In our testing on the Tourer’s international launch in Sweden, we could only get the Pro S up to 340 miles, which is adequate if not a little disappointing considering what VW claims. We'll have to wait and do a longer test drive in the UK before we can bring you a more accurate idea of what the ID.7 Tourer's real world driving range will be throughout the year.
The 77kWh pack peaks at 170kW on a DC charger, while the 86kWh pack can accept a charge speed of up to 200kW. A heat pump is not standard and is priced at £1,050, which seems a bit mean to us when you get a heat pump as standard on budget rivals like the MG5.
Practicality and Boot Space
At 605 litres with the seats up, is larger than both the BMW i5 Touring and the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo – both of which are considerably more expensive than the humble VW – and nearly 100 litres larger than its sister, the Passat PHEV. It's even bigger than the Skoda Enyaq, which may be an SUV but is also one of our absolute favourite electric family cars thanks to its huge boot and general brilliance, so the ID.7 Tourer really is winning for roominess. There’s a hand adjustable boot floor, too, allowing you neatly hide away your charging cables, and there’s a ski hatch. The rear seats can also recline for greater comfort, although it’s a shame that they only fold in a conventional 60:40 format – the BMW i5 Touring and even the smaller Peugeot E-308 SW can split in a handier 40:20:40 fashion.
Back seat passengers have plenty of room to stretch out. Along with that reclining backrest, there’s a flat floor meaning foot room is plentiful even with a middle seat passenger. And despite the Tourer’s sloping roof line, there’s loads of headroom even if you go for the optional panoramic sunroof.
Interior and Technology
It’s fair to say that previous VW ID models haven’t perhaps been up to scratch on this front, for what you’d expect from a Volkswagen. By that, we mean the interior having a quality feel and the dashboard being simple to operate. The ID.7 Tourer is more of a return to form for VW as the company has ramped up the luxury compared to an ID.3 or ID.4. Plush plastics are joined by aluminium detailing and it feels properly premium. Another big improvement is the technology as the ID.7 gets VW’s latest software for the infotainment system, and it’s quick, and intuitive to use. The sliders to control the volume and temperature are now backlit – at long last – and VW has thrown in all sorts of tech as standard. Even the ‘basic’ Pro Match trim gets an ‘augmented’ head-up display, a 360-degree parking camera, three-zone climate control, massaging front seats, and LED matrix headlights.
Driving and Performance
The ID.7 gets one of Volkswagen’s new electric motors to give more performance and efficiency. It’s mounted on the back axle for rear-wheel drive on the Pro Match and Pro S models, and gives 282bhp, while the GTX gets another motor for all-wheel drive performance. This sportier model gets 335bhp, quicker performance and sharper handling, but it’s not as thrilling to drive as it looks.
If you want an estate car, you’ll most likely want a refined driving experience and a car that genuinely feels like it can travel long distances on family holidays. The ID.7 Tourer is just that – it has a pliant, well judged ride, and accurate steering. We’ve only tested the Tourer in long-range Pro S guise in Sweden so far, and with a consumption of just under 4 miles per kWh giving a range of 340 miles we were a little disappointed when you remember it has a claimed 424-mile range. We’ll carry out a fuller test in UK soon, but even so a 340-mile range for an estate car does unlock a lot of freedom for families.
Running Costs and Pricing
The ID.7 Tourer is currently very well priced in the electric estate car market, as it very neatly sits between smaller wagons such as the Peugeot E-308 SW and the posher BMW i5 Touring. Well priced but als well equipped – the entry-level Pro Match from £52,240 gets 19-inch wheels, a 360-degree parking camera, three-zone climate control, massaging front seats, LED matrix headlights, and the VW badges on the nose and tailgate even illuminate at night. The Pro S comes in at £56,140 and adds no other equipment aside from the larger 86kWh battery pack, while the range-topping GTX gets a plethora of sportier detailing and is pegged at £62,270 – just bear in mind a heat pump is a pricy £1,050 option.
Lease deals via our dedicated Electrifying Leasing page reveal some fantastic offers on the Tourer despite it only being on sale for a few months, so it pays to shop around. You should also check out the used VW ID.7s out there, as you can get some great nearly new examples.
Verdict
If you’re looking for bargain electric estate, the ID.7 Tourer may not be for you, as there are cheaper options around. However, next to those more affordable options, the ID.7 is a lot bigger and also rather classier in a 'sensible executive' way. Plus, it's actually rather good value when compared with the BMW i5 Touring (although we'd be the first to say that the BMW has something of a more luxury image and finish). The mid-spec ID.7 Pro S Tourer model really does give genuine long-range touring capability, even if we are a bit sceptical of the 424-mile range figure quoted in VW’s brochures, and unlocks a lot of flexibility and freedom for families. It’s not just practical, though, as the ID.7 Tourer looks smart and classy and will appeal to company car drivers alike. Plush, roomy, and comfortable, the ID.7 Tourer really is a fantastic package.
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