As of: February 1, 2024, 5:32 a.m
By: Rudolf Bögel
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The ID.7 should finally be a real Volkswagen again.
We test drove the electric Passat.
But can the flagship meet the high expectations?
Volkswagen is back on track.
Back in the game.
With the new electric flagship ID.7, the Wolfsburg-based company is once again showing its old car manufacturer virtues: affordable and reliable quality that is also fun.
“The ID.7 is 100 percent Volkswagen,” says VW boss Thomas Schäfer.
Is the number 7 the big prank?
At least in Western culture, seven means luck.
And in seven days God created the earth.
So we stick with the number seven and do the 7-point check after the first test drives.
Finally good: The cockpit and the controls in the VW ID.7 are convincing
Design & Appearance
: The largest model from the electric ID family to date shows its claim in its appearance.
The car wants to be in the upper middle class, where Tesla is waiting with the Model 3, BMW with the i4 and Mercedes-Benz with the E-Class.
The ID.7 therefore has a corresponding presence.
Short overhangs, as is usual with electric cars, flowing shapes like those of a coupé, plus the typical bold brand face with the VW logo in the middle and a striking, but visually initially difficult, rear section with a continuous strip of lights.
Apart from the last point: the ID.7 appeals straight away.
Electric sedan approaching: Volkswagen is introducing its new flagship with the ID.7.
A spacious coupé that follows the elegant offshoots Passat CC and Arteon.
© Volkswagen
Cockpit & Infotainment
: Holla the forest fairy!
The good impression continues seamlessly in the interior.
We nestle in amazement in the comfortable seats (even after a long journey).
Short feel test: The artificial leather on the armrest feels good, the center console with the two-tier shelves is solid.
Nothing wobbles.
The LED clip for up to 30 different lighting moods extends from the side doors across the entire dashboard and doesn't look cheap either.
We look in vain for cheap plastic; it can't be found hidden in the second row.
Clear and easy to use: The digital cockpit of the VW ID.7 consists of three elements: mini digital speedometer, 15-inch screen and head-up display.
© Volkswagen
The instrument cockpit has been rethought - and in our opinion, at least in terms of layout, it is the best on the market.
Right behind the steering wheel, neatly fitted into the console, there is a mini screen with the most necessary information such as speed and range.
The head-up display has a pleasantly tidy look and now also offers augmented reality elements, such as animated directional arrows.
The 15-inch infotainment screen floats in the center with a user-friendly three-part structure.
The upper (digital, of course) bar can be partially freely assigned depending on your preference and is always visible.
The same applies to the counterpart below: You can set all climate functions here.
Including the often criticized sliders for volume and temperature - but finally illuminated.
VW has also done its homework when it comes to operating the home screen with its tiled look.
Firstly, everything is logical and secondly, the system impresses with its extreme speed.
Also a first for Volkswagen.
Like the language assistant IDA, which hardly has any problems understanding.
VW ID.7: The electric station wagon is already in the starting blocks
Space and maneuverability
: The ID.7 actually offers upper middle class space.
The almost five meter long electric Passat also has a wheelbase of almost three meters.
The 1.90 meter Lulatsch still sits comfortably in the front seats, but in the rear his colleague reaches his (roof) limits.
At 532 liters, the trunk even has a little more space than some competitors, for example the i5 from BMW.
If you need more volume: wait and drink tea - the station wagon, here called the Tourer, is already in the starting blocks.
As big as the ID.7 may seem, it is as agile as a small car.
10.9 meters – the Mercedes E-Class with rear-axle steering also looks old.
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Chassis & Steering
: As a true child of the new VW generation, the ID.7 now has the gear lever on the steering wheel.
A blessing compared to the fiddly nub of the electric Golf ID.3.
The steering wheel feels good in the hand, the steering itself is not the lightest, but it suits the sedan because it conveys that a heavy car is being driven here.
The engineers have done a good job with the adaptive and comfortable chassis without having to dig too far into the technology box.
Only with larger bumps and transverse grooves do the dampers bottom out, especially acoustically.
Otherwise, the rear-wheel drive car has reliable traction even in heavy rain, and the driving dynamics manager ensures stability and plenty of fun cornering.
Bursting with self-confidence: We had to get used to the sculptural rear of the new VW ID.7.
© Volkswagen
And what about the range of the VW ID.7?
Engine & consumption
: No matter what other engines there may be (GTX with all-wheel drive and two electric motors): the standard version with 210 kW (286 hp) and 545 Nm torque is completely sufficient.
6.5 seconds from 0 to 100 - if that's not enough!
As always in life: speed has its price.
And so we drive the VW ID.7 with a consumption of just under 23 kWh per 100 kilometers.
This means we are far away from the official values (14.1 – 16.3 kWh).
With the potential range of up to 621 km, that won't work.
At least not under the test drive conditions (constant rain, temperatures around seven degrees, lots of motorways and country roads.
Battery & charging
: When the range of an electric car dwindles away - the only solution is to quickly charge the 77 kWh battery, which is also installed as standard in the ID.Buzz.
Theoretically, we could “refuel” with up to 175 kW, but the charging station at the motorway rest stop only offers 150 kW.
And the ID.7 makes full use of it.
In 30 minutes we have 80 percent charge in the battery again.
This is almost suitable for long distances.
You are supported in your search for electricity tapping points by the digital charging planner, which works reliably and only takes a longer break when the destination is “Lofoten”.
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Price and features
: Here too, Volkswagen wants to be more close to the people.
It starts at just under 57,000 euros, the only thing missing is the DCC adaptive chassis control, or the intelligent matrix light and the seats with massage function, otherwise everything essential is included.
Anyone who spends just under 64,000 euros will have an almost luxurious car.
For comparison: The BMW i5 starts at 70,000 euros.
Our conclusion about the ID.7: Finally a real Volkswagen again
The only things that bothered us were little things: for example, that the windshield wiper speed is difficult to adjust or that you have to slam the doors hard to get them to actually close.
And why is the heat pump not standard (999 euros extra)?
But none of this can cloud our positive assessment: firstly, the ID.7 is once again a real Volkswagen and secondly, it can easily keep up with the electric competition from Tesla, China and Co.
(Rudolf Bögel
Technical data ID.7 Pro
Motor: Permanent magnet synchronous machine
Power: 210 kW (286 HP)
Torque: 545 Nm
Drive: rear
Battery: 77 kWh (net)
Combined consumption: 14.1 – 16.3 kWh / 100 km
Range: 621 km
Charging time: 8 hours at 11 kW (0 – 100%) AC
28 min at 175 kW DC (10 – 80%)
Acceleration: (0-100 km/h): 6.5 s
Maximum speed: 180 km/h
Dimensions: (L/W/H): 4.96/1.86/1.57 m
Wheelbase: 2.97 m
Turning circle: 10.9 m
Trunk: 532 – 1,586 l
Weight/payload: 2,172/458 kg
Trailer load (used)/support load: 1,200/75 kg
Price: 56,995 euros