The Volkswagen ID.7 is one of VW’s newest electric vehicles, having launched in 2023, and part of the brand’s growing range of EVs. It’s similar under the skin to several existing electric VWs but more similar in size to the firm’s combustion-powered Volkswagen Passat and Volkswagen Arteon.
It’s also VW’s best electric car yet, offering higher quality than its other models so far, longer range, a spacious cabin, and a very refined drive. As the ID.7 is so new it might be a little while before you can find real bargains on the used market, but it’s definitely an EV to keep an eye open for.
If you’re not yet convinced by electric power then the Passat and Arteon are obvious alternatives, but EV rivals include the Tesla Model 3, BMW i4, and BYD Seal. If you need an estate, an ID.7 Tourer is just around the corner, too.
As the Volkswagen ID.7 is essentially the brand’s electric equivalent to a Volkswagen Passat, it’ll probably suit existing Passat buyers quite nicely, provided they’re happy with the differences involved in running an electric vehicle compared to a combustion one.
Like the Passat, it’s a spacious car - probably even more so in fact, thanks to electric powertrains opening up more space for passengers, though the ID.7’s near five-metre size is also a clue to why it feels so large inside. It’s especially limo-like in the back, and the boot is large too at well over 500 litres with the rear seats up, plus a proper hatchback for ease of access.
Better still, the ID.7 feels a lot higher quality inside than VW’s earlier ID-badged efforts, and its infotainment system and controls require less pondering too. The driver gets a small display and a head-up display too, as part of the comprehensive level of equipment in the sole trim level VW has offered so far.
The ID.7 feels sophisticated on the road. It’s refined even by EV standards and feels very stable at speed, while ride quality is good too - especially on versions with the optional Dynamic Chassis Control. Range looks excellent on paper, and rapid charging at up to 175kW means top-ups on the road can be quick too.
The closest and most ubiquitous alternative to the ID.7 is the Tesla Model 3. It’s been around for several years now so it’s a lot easier to find keenly-priced used examples, and Tesla’s rapid-charging network is still second to none. It’s not quite as spacious though and its conventional boot is not as practical. The BMW i4 and BYD Seal are other options from two very different brands.
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There’s only one - just a single drivetrain and a single trim level so far, so you won’t have to burn too many calories hunting for the right car. There are a couple of different options to differentiate used models though, including colours (insofar as one dark blue and four greyscale shades are colours), 19- and 20-inch wheel sizes, black and grey interior options, and a handful of other features including a heat pump and a few exterior packs.
The Volkswagen ID.7 was launched with one trim level and at the time of writing it’s still the only trim level available. As you’d hope and expect, that means Volkswagen has chosen to load the car with plenty of equipment from the off, though as usual, new buyers can tick a few options boxes to tailor the car to their needs, so one used car may differ slightly from another.
The Volkswagen ID.7’s dimensions are:
The Volkswagen ID.7’s boot size is:
As a fully electric vehicle, VED is currently free for the ID.7, and electric cars are also unaffected by the government’s surcharge for vehicles that cost more than £40,000 brand new.
Electric cars often cost slightly more to insure than combustion ones, and that’s the case with the ID.7, which starts in group 38 (out of 50) and tops out at group 42. The petrol and diesel-powered Arteon spans groups 21-32 by way of comparison, and the Passat is in groups 15-32. It should be cheaper to insure than a Tesla Model 3 though, which sits in groups 48-50.
Read our full Volkswagen ID.7 review