Volkswagen ID.7 Review

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Range 

The entry-level VW ID.7 has a WLTP figure of 383 miles, while the bigger battery model comes with a 436-mile WLTP figure in Pro S trim. Go for the sporty GTX version and while you do get the larger battery, thanks to its extra performance from its twin electric motors the claimed range is down to around 370 miles. On paper, the Pro S ID.7 has one of the longest ranges of any EV on sale in the UK. 

In our tests with the entry-level model, though, we averaged 3.2 miles per kWh, which translates to a real-world range of around 246 miles, which is some way off the official WLTP figure. Admittedly, this was on long sections of French autoroute and mountainous A-roads. Similarly, we have only tested the bigger batteried model on smooth Swedish roads which yielded a better 4 miles per kWh, which equates to 344 miles – that’s around 90 miles less than VW claims. We have yet to drive both cars on UK roads in more investigative tests, so we will report back. 

Battery 

At launch in 2023 the ID.7 was only available with a VW’s familiar 77kWh battery pack, but in mid 2024 a brand new 86kWh pack was added. Up to then the only model to feature this new battery was the seven-seat VW ID.Buzz long-wheelbase. This bigger batteried ID.7 gives Volkswagen the arsenal to really match the likes of Tesla and Mercedes-Benz in the premium executive saloon car class. Unfortunately a heat pump is not standard and is a £1,050 option – it can improve the car’s efficiency, particularly during the winter. 

Charging

In terms of charging, the 77kWh pack peaks at 170kW on a DC charger, while the 86kWh pack can accept a charge speed of up to 200kW. Curiously, the charging flap hinges upwards, not outwards like on other cars – VW says this is to prevent the charging port from getting wet.

To address the issue of slow charging in cold weather, the ID.7 features Volkswagen’s clever pre-conditioning system that heats the battery to the perfect temperature. As with similar systems from Tesla, Mercedes, Hyundai and Kia, it works via the navigation system. Select a DC rapid charger as your destination and the battery heater will ensure that the pack is at the optimum temperature to accept a fast charge. The function can also be manually activated using the charging menu in the infotainment system.