Familiarity reveals issues with VW ID.5 EV

Why do things grow on us? You know, when you don't really like something but after a while you begin to appreciate it more. What is this phenomenon? Because it's happening to me after two months of living with the Volkswagen ID.5. This car has me feeling conflicted.

In my last instalment I testified that the ID.5 wasn't pretty to look at and while I still don't disagree with that first impression, the unique styling is growing on me. Having driven so many 'samey' electric SUVs I'm starting to think it is quite brave of Volkswagen to not just make another one that also looks like a bar of soap.

Look at the ID.5's side profile (see images) - it's almost cartoon-like with its bulbous shapes. There are also small tocuhes of design flare I really like from the way the paint colour scoops into the black bumper and the white VW badge on the bonnet.

The cabin styling is growing on me. I like the sculpted door trims and woven headlining but I'm also noticing the hard plastics and a colour scheme that feels a bit dull now. 

There are also cabin design elements that I didn't really take in at first but after two months I find them unappealing. Really unappealing. The fold-down armrests on the front seats, for example - they look as though they're from office chairs, so out of place and unstylish (see images).

The instrument cluster is another example - it's quite small and toy-like - and the lack of head up display is perplexing.

From the start, I had my doubts about the practicality of the ID.5, especially from a family car perspective. That feeling has solidified after living with it daily with my family of four. The interior space just isn't packaged as well as it could be.

Overly large and thick front seats eat into rear legroom, and the coupe-like roofline limits headroom, combining to limit space for adults and make getting our child car seat in a squeeze.

The rear doors don't offer the biggest aperture, either (see images).

Storage is also an issue with a thin centre console area which lacks functionality along with cupholders that feel far from people but too close to controls.

An opportunity for good storage is also missed under that floating centre console with no stowage area (see images).

Topping off this bad run are the haptic controls which have been frustrating me. The climate controls are haptic and require constant swiping and pressing to work effectively.

The door handles have a similar haptic feel and aren't pleasant or easy to use.

Finally the driver's master window switches have one set of controls and require you to toggle between front and back. I'm constantly having to look down at the switches to see if I'm about to put my widow down or the one behind me.

My first impression of the way the ID.5 drives was a good one - comfortable, planted brisk accleration - and I still feel that way. However, I was also a passenger for some trips this month and I'd forgotten how electric cars can induce car sickness due to their sudden acceleration and one-pedal braking. I also found as a passenger the ID.5's suspension is quite firm and body control can be a bit busy too.

This month we covered only 547km and used quite a lot of energy doing so - 22.0kWh/100km. I have to say I'm not using the strong setting on regenerative braking as much now and the climate control has been getting a workout as we've headed into winter.

Oh, and finally, the visibility out of the rear window is obstructed by the coupe roofline and headrests (see images).

So, that's it for another month. I'm still impressed by the quality feel and the comfort of the cabin and the quirky styling but there are practicality issue galore.

Acquired: March 2026

Distance travelled this month: 547km

Odometer: 2395km

Average energy consumption this month: 22.0kWh/100km