Volkswagen has gained over the years already quite some experience in designing, developing and building EV’s with its already iconic ID series. All this know how is now brought together in the ID.7, the big EV limousine at the top of their ID range. The result is manifest: this car is full of good qualities, and earns indeed top marks in virtually all aspects. We found it clearly one of the best bigger EV’s we have come across lately.
Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Imposing and well proportioned

The ID.7 has the same styling and form language as the smaller models in its ID range, but its proportions are even better, not in the least because of its  longer weelbase. The overall length of 4,97 meters lets the lines and contours flow more gradually and elegantly and indeed, this ID.7 looks good from any angle.
The ID.7 is also very aerodynamic, with a Cw value of merely 0,23. This is very crucial to reduce energy consumption at higher cruising speeds, and to achieve longer ranges on long distances. But there is more: the VW engineers gave the ID.7 also a brand new electric motor. It drives like in the other ID models the rear wheels and develops 210 kW or 286 HP.

Plenty  of power, to say the least, and this ID.7 is very agile indeed. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in merely 6,5 seconds and overtaking becomes the proverbial breeze. The ID.7 behaves also wonderfully when you drive it more quietly, and the car then rewards you with a very reasonable consumption. We achieved during our test an average of 17.60 kW/100 km, and we think that this tells the whole story.
Indeed, VW succeeded in giving their flagship EV an impressive range of close to 500 km. Of course, the usable range varies with outside temperatures and driven speeds, but let’s say that this ID.7 has its merits as a long distance Gran Turismo.
This good range is achieved with the 77 kW battery which is also found in the other cars of the ID  range, and all this is due to the improved motor and the better aerodynamic qualities. Of course, as you already know by now, EV cars just LOVE slow driving. The slower the (constant) speed, the further you go. Even to very slow speeds, like say 40 km/h, EV’s are frugal, where IC engined cars need to revert to lower gearing to keep the revs up and are therefore less efficient. Also the outside temperatures are relevant. So at a nice springtime outside temperature of 20 degrees and at a cruising speed of say 90 km/h, you will drive far beyond 600 kilometers with your stylish ID.7. Top speed is sensibly limited to 180 km/h.

This electric flagship will also recuperate its kinetic energy nicely. If you put it in Eco mode, it will also decelerate smoothly and anticipate for bends and crossroads.

Comfort and space…

We found the suspension of the ID.7 actually “just right”, offering excellent comfort in all circumstances and under all driving styles, with outstanding handling and agility. A superbly balanced car indeed.

But it is not only the suspension which stands out, the generous dimensions in the cabin do the rest. Indeed, this is a limousine fit for the very tallest. Even when the front seats are put back to accommodate 1,95 meter tall front passengers, you will still enjoy ample legroom in the back. Indeed, this is a car to fit four basket ball players, and this is pretty unique.
Your servant is barely 1,70 m tall, so you can imagine that I was absolutely spoiled.

Climate comfort

The seats itself also merit superlatives. The front seats are optionally equipped with so-called ’Adaptive Climate Control’.  It has to be felt to believe it. Humidity sensors in the backrest will prevent transpiration, small jets will cool or heat the seats for optimal comfort.
Besides this, the seats will also spoil you with an array of massage functions.

The light atmosphere in the cabin can be changed almost at will, 10 different colour shades are standard, and can optionally be as many as 30…

Our test car came with a panoramic roof, which has a layer of polymer dispersed liquid crystals, so you can control the transperance with a simple touch.

Heating and ventilation are controlled on the immense central touchscreen, although there is an illuminated control bar at the base of the screen which lets you adjust with sliders the basics like air  temperature and airflow volume. The direction of the airflow through the vents can only be adjusted on the touchscreen however. Your servant is very sensitive to colder airflows, and was very surprised to feel an intermittent air stream on his face. Indeed, the airvents can be set to turn constantly on a horizontal axis, like a stand ventilator in your home…

A range of well over 500 kilometers is quite possible with the ID.7..

On a public charging point it will accept power up to 11 kW, and the battery will be 80 pct charged in about 4 hours…

Touch controls…and clear instrumentation.

Again the haptic touch controls are the hallmark of this VW, as is typical for the entire ID range. It takes some getting used to, and for instance you are well advised to set the voice command sensor on the steering wheel properly, otherwise she will ask you what she can do for you at every turn of the way.

What we loved is the very clear and concise driver information the instrument display puts in front of you. Indeed, less is more. There is also a very readable head up display. It informs you about speed, the direction you should take and energy consumption.

Practical

In good VW tradition, the boot space is enormous. When you fold the back seats and load until the window openings, you can store 888 liters…
There is even a small separate 25 litre storage space for the charging cables.

The ID.7 is rather wide for urban traffic, but its turning circle is a modest 10,7 meters, and indeed the car is thanks to the driving aids also a breeze to park.

Fast charging is a strong point of the ID.7. It will accept up to over 180 kW charging power, and under these conditions it will take little more than half an hour to recharge this flagship from 10 to 80 pct. On a public or wallbox charger it will typically accept 11 kW, and you have to reckon with a charging time of some 8 hours.

Conclusion

The ID.7 is indeed a totally convincing limousine EV. It is hard to find any weak points, and it is therefore not surprising that it earns many top laurels in the international motoring press. Notably it was given the very best note ever for an EV by the German ADAC in their test.

Quality doesn’t come cheap, but then this is a rather formidable EV, and we sincerely regretted to part with it…

Hans Knol ten Bensel