Volkswagen continues to diversify its EV (and ID) portfolio with the new ID.5 electric crossover. Available at launch in two different trims – GTX and Standard – and with your choice of three different powertrain options, the ID.5 comes to fill the need of both families and enthusiasts alike. Does it look a lot like the ID.4? Well, that’s probably because it’s basically an ID.4 with a coupe-like roof, so there’s a lot of shared DNA here. What’s below the skin of the ID.5? More than you think.

Like the rest of the ID lineup, the ID.5 rides on VW’s MEB architecture, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some uniqueness under the metal. It does feature the same wheelbase and overall length of the ID.4, but it’s only available with one battery: a 77-kWh unit that should be good for anywhere between 298 miles (480 km) and 323 miles (520 km). That’s via Europe’s WLTP cycle, however, so U.S. figures will be a bit lower as will real-world usability. Of course, you want to know about the rest of the powertrain, and I have some important figures for us to discuss.

So, in standard form, you’ll find two different trim levels: ID.5 Pro and ID.5 Pro Performance. The Pro and Pro Performance feature rear-mounted electric motors. The Pro delivers 171 horsepower and can make a 10.4-second sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h). The Pro Performance, on the other hand, delivers 201 horsepower and takes 8.4 seconds to hit the same 62.1-mph benchmark. Why so slow for an EV? Well, if you want sprint performance, you need to go with the ID.5 GTX. This model will get you a dual-motor, AWD configuration that’s good for a total system output of 295 horsepower (220 kW) and a 62-mph sprint of 6.2 seconds on the way to a top speed of 111 mph (180 km/h) In comparison, the standard versions of the ID.5 top out at 99 mph or 160 km/h.

Volkswagen ID.5 Performance Specs

Motor Layout

Single Motor

Single Motor

Dual Motor

Driveline

RWD

RWD

AWD

Battery Size

77 kWh

77 kWh

77 kWh

Horsepower

171 HP

201 HP

295 HP

Torque

TBA

TBA

TBA

Electric Range

TBA

323 Miles (520 km)

298 Miles (480 km)

0-62 MPH

10.4 Seconds

8.4 Seconds

6.3 Seconds

Top Speed

99 MPH (160 km/h)

99 MPH (160 km/h)

111 MPH (180 km/h)


Moving to the interior side of things, you’ll see a lot of familiar technology. In fact, I tried to look hard for something that separates the ID.5 from the ID.4, and I couldn’t find anything at all – it’s practically identical. It features the same infotainment screen, same minimalistic layout, and even the same digital instrument cluster. The GTX will get you the expected trim branding and perforated seats, though, so there is that. In the end, there is one difference between the ID.4 and ID.5: cargo room. While the Id.4 offers up between 30.3 and 64.2 cubic-feet (848-1,817 liters), the sloping, coupe-like roof of the ID.5 drops that to between 19.38 and 55.12 cubic-feet (549-1,561 liters).

In terms of pricing, Volkswagen has remained tight-lipped for now, but it’s not expected to hit the European market until sometime in 2022, so this isn’t surprising. Official pricing details will be available closer to launch, probably sometime in the first quarter of 2022.