First Look: The VW ID.7 Is An Electric Passat For A New Generation

For those who’re available in the market for an inexpensive electrical sedan in America, you’ll shortly uncover that your choices are restricted. The Tesla Mannequin 3 stays the default alternative, however Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 is popping heads and attracting loads of consideration.

Other than them, it’s a relative ghost city as most EVs are crossovers. Whereas a lot of them are little greater than hatchbacks with cladding, ‘correct’ automobiles are few and much between when you’re not procuring within the luxurious section.

That’s a part of what makes the 2025 Volkswagen ID.7 fascinating as its one of many few electrical automobiles we’ve seen from a mass market model. Whereas the corporate refers to it as a sedan, the mannequin is definitely a liftback that opens to disclose a beneficiant storage compartment with a two-tier load flooring. Volkswagen hasn’t talked about volumes at this level, however the cargo compartment options releases for the rear seats and so they fold comparatively flat.

A Good-looking Electrical Liftback

Pictures Mike Gauthier/Carscoops

Volkswagen doesn’t have the most effective monitor report with sedans in America, however the ID.7 is good-looking and immediately recognizable as a member of the ID household. Whereas it’s actually not as flashy because the Ioniq 6, the automobile is an unlimited enchancment over the North American Passat, which was usually described as appliance-like.

That description actually doesn’t apply to the ID.7 because it incorporates a fashionable entrance finish with slender headlights, that are linked by a skinny illuminated strip. They’re joined by an expansive greenhouse, minimalist door handles, and aerodynamically optimized wheels. All of this ends in one slick EV, which sports activities a drag coefficient of roughly 0.23.

Sadly, it’s not all excellent news because the mannequin’s charging port door isn’t powered. This can be a minor inconvenience, however the door is a bit difficult to open and shut.

The ID.7 is likely to be pretty conservative, nonetheless it does pack a number of occasion tips together with a panoramic glass roof that may transition from opaque to clear on the push of a button. This expertise isn’t new, however it has usually been restricted to luxurious manufacturers.

It’s additionally value noting the ID.7 comes normal with gloss black pillars much like the previous Jaguar XJ. Whereas they proved controversial on the latter automobile, they’re not a lot of a difficulty right here as fake aluminum trim helps to interrupt issues up.

The ID.7 is bigger than it seems because the mannequin measures 195.3 inches (4,961 mm) lengthy, 73.3 inches (1,862 mm) vast, and 60.6 inches (1,538 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 116.8 inches (2,966 mm). That’s 1.7 inches (43 mm) longer than the Passat and the EV has a 6.4 inch (163 mm) longer wheelbase.

A Minimalist, However Upscale Inside

Volkswagen hasn’t been coy concerning the ID.7’s premium positioning and that’s fortunately mirrored within the cabin. Excessive-quality supplies abound and there are soft-touch accents at key touchpoints.

Essentially the most eye-catching options are illuminated trim and a 15-inch infotainment system. The latter dominates the inside and options an intuitive residence display that gives quick access to navigation, leisure settings, the IDA voice assistant, and car data. We solely performed round with the infotainment system briefly, however it appears quick and comparatively simple. Customers may also discover quantity and local weather management contact bars beneath the display, that are a welcome addition.

Elsewhere, there’s a flat-bottom steering wheel and a tiny digital instrument cluster. Volkswagen hasn’t mentioned how small the show is, however it seems like somebody slapped an early smartphone onto the dashboard. It can undoubtedly provoke sturdy reactions because it isn’t as full featured as a standard digital instrument cluster, nor as futuristic because the ‘cluster much less’ design used within the Tesla Mannequin 3. In actual fact, it form of resembles the small aftermarket clusters supplied for the Tesla.

We’ll maintain off on remaining judgments till we’ve got an opportunity to drive the ID.7, however Volkswagen has beforehand mentioned the show is fundamental by design because the ‘actual cluster’ is the augmented actuality head-up show that comes normal. We didn’t get an opportunity to see the HUD, however Volkswagen mentioned it is going to allow drivers to learn with out having to take their eyes off the highway.

The small cluster isn’t the one quirk because the ID.7’s begin/cease button is mounted on the facet of the steering column, as an alternative of on the dashboard. This isn’t the primary time Volkswagen has completed this, however I’d choose to not need to fumble round to get the automobile began.

Due to the beneficiant dimensions, the ID.7 was a lot spacious for this 6’2” scribe. There’s tons of room up entrance and I had no downside slipping into the rear seats, that are comfy and properly bolstered. They’ve a great quantity of legroom, however maybe not as a lot because the 116.8 inch (2,966 mm) wheelbase would counsel. There’s additionally a good quantity of headroom and again seaters will discover devoted local weather controls in addition to butt heaters.

Talking of apparatus, the ID.7 is notable for that includes a high-tech local weather management system and 14-way energy entrance seats which have a Climatronic operate. The latter use temperature and moisture sensors to activate heating or cooling as wanted to maintain occupants comfy. The mannequin may also be geared up with ergoPremium seats, which have ten air cushions within the backrest in addition to two air cushions within the base to supply a reinvigorating therapeutic massage.

282 HP And Up To 435 Miles Of Vary

The ID.7 rides on the MEB platform and will likely be supplied with two totally different battery packs. The entry-level ID.7 Professional has a 77 kWh battery and may allow the mannequin to journey roughly 382 miles (615 km) within the WLTP cycle.

Upgrading to the ID.7 Professional S rewards consumers with a bigger 86 kWh battery pack, which will increase the vary to round 435 miles (700 km). That isn’t the one change because the automobile’s DC quick charging functionality climbs from 170 kW to 200 kW.

The battery powers Volkswagen’s new APP550 electrical drive unit, which is basically a rear-mounted electrical motor that produces 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS) and round 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque. It offers the automobile a large benefit over the rear-wheel drive Ioniq 6, which solely has as much as 225 hp (168 kW / 228 PS) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque.

Volkswagen has been coy about further powertrain particulars, however officers prompt the ID.7 might have an EPA vary in extra of 300 miles (483 km). We’re additionally anticipating a dual-motor all-wheel drive system sooner or later, though that continues to be to be seen.

An Fascinating EV That Arrives In America Subsequent Yr

Between electrification and the carpocalypse, many automakers have positioned sedans on the again burner. It’s not exhausting to grasp why, however it’s refreshing to see Volkswagen deliver a brand new automobile to America, though we’ll have to attend till 2024 to get behind the wheel.

That’s a methods off and one of many largest mysteries is pricing. Nevertheless, Volkswagen has hinted the mannequin gained’t be low-cost as they’ve described it because the flagship of the ID lineup. This means the automobile will likely be positioned nicely above the ID.4, which begins at $38,995 and climbs to $43,995 in Professional guise. Volkswagen has additionally confirmed the US-spec mannequin will likely be imported from Germany and this implies there’ll seemingly be tax credit score implications.