Volkswagen ID.5 Pro Review: A Significant Step Forward

What we like:

Much improved power and efficiency

Better user interface

What we dislike:

Still looks a little generic

Heavy competition at its price point

Rides a tad harshly

Almost a year ago, we were given preview drives of the ID.4 Pro, ID.4 GTX and Skoda Enyaq. It is the first car on the list that is virtually identical to the ID.5 Pro on test here, albeit the latter having a coupe roofline.

So… What has changed with the ID.5 Pro?

Volkswagen has tweaked the car quite significantly since then, so much so that the older model is almost incomparable. Just look at the stats. The ID.4 Pro tested last year put out 201 hp and 310 Nm. The ID.5 Pro today is good for 282 hp and 545 Nm, an increase of 81 hp and 235 Nm. This is part of an upgrade that came in Q4 2023, which implemented the new drivetrain introduced in the ID.7.

The battery capacity has also increased to 77 kWh, giving an official WLTP figure of 550 km - 17 km more than before despite the huge bump up in power.

The improvements don’t stop there. While I lamented about the ID.4 Pro (and GTX)’s user interface, the ID.5 Pro incorporates a larger infotainment screen and a wholly rethought operating system that’s far more user-friendly and intuitive, not unlike the one we’ve experienced in the new Tiguan. There is now also a driving mode switch on the steering wheel. As a whole, the car is a lot more pleasant to use.

The improvements don’t stop there. While I lamented about the ID.4 Pro (and GTX)’s user interface, the ID.5 Pro incorporates a larger infotainment screen and a wholly rethought operating system that’s far more user-friendly and intuitive, not unlike the one we’ve experienced in the new Tiguan. There is now also a driving mode switch on the steering wheel. As a whole, the car is a lot more pleasant to use.

How is the ID.5 Pro inside?

On the inside, rear passengers complimented about the abundance of space, and the sloping roofline bore no hardship for anyone at all with regards to cabin height. The almost flat rear floor helps give an impression of room. Boot space remains impressive at 549 litres, showing no hint of compromise of the sloping roofline. In fact, this is 6 litres more space than the more conventionally shaped ID.4!

How does the ID.5 Pro ride?

On the move, the ID.5 Pro rides with a firmness that leans on the sporty side. While not uncomfortable, it is doing its best to manage all of its weight and heft and every so often it drops the ball when the road is especially challenging. It isn’t exactly agile either despite the ride. But mostly, it is fine.

How does the ID.5 Pro compare with its competitors?

Despite its flaws, the ID.5 Pro is a far more compelling BEV than the versions we tested just under a year ago. At $241k at press time, its closest competitors are the Volvo EX30 ($237k) and the Polestar 2 (starting at $249k), which is pretty much par for the course in terms of ‘near-luxury’ brands. However, one BEV stands out in the market right now which is priced dangerously close, and that’s the Audi Q4 e-tron at $255k - albeit this is only a temporary promotional launch price.

Photos by James Wong

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