Volkswagen ID.7, the one who will bring salvation?

The large electric sedan from Volkswagen arrives on our roads in Style trim. Will it be more successful than its little sisters?

This impressive electric sedan measures no less than 4.96 meters long and 1.86 meters wide and thus positions itself above the Passat, which will now only be sold in station wagon (SW) version. To power this large German model, there is an electric motor of 210 kW (286 hp) and 545 Nm of torque, which has undergone many innovations such as water cooling in the external sump to prevent overheating issues. According to VW, overall efficiency has been improved by 40% compared to other ID models. For this launch, customers will have access to a well-known battery, the 77 kWh unit, capable here of reaching 620 km WLTP range. A flagship for the long haul.

Volkswagen has equipped the ID.7 with particularly innovative technologies. Standard features include augmented reality head-up display, 360° ‘Rear View’ camera, semi-autonomous driving assist ‘Travel Assist’, and smart ventilation management ‘Smart Air Vents’.

High prices, and no bonus for this Volkswagen

To break the rather conventional image of the sedan, Volkswagen offers an innovative smart glass sunroof. With a voice command, it can switch from transparent to a milky white tint. Among other refined features are massaging seats, a 700-watt Harman Kardon audio system, and a next-generation voice assistant. Named IDA, it can understand natural language, making vehicle interaction easier. The ID.7 also comes standard with a 15-inch display and the latest version of the ID. software in v4.0, which introduces a new, more intuitive and responsive infotainment menu structure.

A sleek design and rich equipment, but all these qualities come at a cost. Volkswagen offers the ID.7 Pro in Style trim starting at €62,650.

The ID.7 is entering a competitive segment where it will have to find its place. Slightly smaller at 4.85 meters long, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is also less powerful in its rear-wheel-drive version (229 hp) but offers more reasonable prices starting at €57,000. Close in price are Mercedes EQE with its 89 kWh battery offering a real-world range of 600 km. Finally, the benchmark remains the inevitable Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor, which is 24 cm smaller but has significantly superior range and performance, all at a more budget-friendly price of €50,990.

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