A Brand New Era for Volkswagen’s Electric Lineup.
The Volkswagen ID.7 is the brand’s most advanced electric vehicle yet…a sleek, tech-filled, long-range fastback that aims to redefine what the family EV. Positioned as VW’s answer to premium electric saloons like the Tesla Model S and BMW i5, it promises comfort, intelligence, and efficiency in a package that’s practical for daily life.
But the question is, does it live up to the hype? We took the ID.7 through real-world tests—navigating the nightmare of tight British roads, drive-thrus, parking challenges, and even an ISOFIX car seat showdown. We wanted to really understand if this is the EV that families and long-distance drivers have been waiting for. So here you are! Our findings!
Design & Practicality: A Spacious Yet Manageable Fastback
At nearly five meters long, the ID.7 is a big car. In a world where SUVs dominate, Volkswagen has taken a novel approach by designing a sleek, aerodynamic fastback instead of a bulky crossover. The result? A car that offers loads of space but still feels streamlined and modern.
One of the biggest advantages of this design is interior space. With an impressive 532L of boot space (1,586L with seats down), it’s a storage king—big enough for suitcases, golf clubs, and even a bike. Inside, the cabin feels light, airy, and premium, with plenty of clever storage compartments for mobiles, tablets and other bits and pieces.
However, with great size comes the challenge of manoeuvrability. We quickly learned that the ID.7’s length can make tight country lanes and car parks feel like an alloy-scratching minefield. Not the end of the world but definitely something to consider if you frequently drive in city environments or need to navigate narrow spaces.
Tech & Infotainment: Finally, a Volkswagen That Gets It Right?
To date, Volkswagen’s ID lineup has been hit or miss when it comes to infotainment. The ID.3 and ID.4 received criticism for clunky software, but with the ID.7, it finally feels like VW has finally cracked the code. Take a bow VW!
The large 15-inch touchscreen is responsive, easy to navigate, and packed with handy features. It comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an augmented reality head-up display that projects navigation instructions onto the road—a genuinely helpful and impressively futuristic touch.
One of the coolest features is the illuminated light bar across the dashboard, which flashes directional prompts when you need to turn or switch lanes. We found it a subtle but clever way to improve navigation without distracting the driver.
That said, some small frustrations remain. The rear window controls, for example, are needlessly complicated—instead of four buttons for four windows, you get two buttons and a toggle switch to swap between front and rear. A minor issue? Sure. But it’s annoying. In a car marketed as “intelligent,” sadly this feels like a design misstep.
Performance & Driving Experience: Comfortable…But Not Exciting
The ID.7 isn’t a performance EV—and that’s okay. It’s designed for long-range comfort, and looking at it from that angle, it does an excellent job. The ride is smooth and quiet, with good suspension that absorbs bumps well.
The range is impressive, with some variants promising up to 435 miles (WLTP). Real-world range, as always, will depend on conditions, but even conservative estimates put it above 350 miles, making it one of the best long-range EVs in its class.
One of the most anticipated features was auto-parking, but in our test, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. Despite having well-marked spaces, the system struggled to park the car without human intervention. For now, it’s not a feature we’d recommend you rely on.
Family Friendliness: ISOFIX Challenge & Rear Seat Comfort
For family buyers, the rear-seat experience is just as important as the driver’s seat. The ID.7 delivers well on space, with plenty of head and legroom to easily accommodate passengers of all shapes and sizes.
The rear seats also offer practical storage solutions:
✔ Pockets for phones and devices
✔ Felt-lined storage areas for added protection
✔ A fold-down armrest with three cupholders and a pass-through to the boot
We also put the ID.7 through a car seat installation challenge, going head-to-head in a timed ISOFIX test. The result? A dead heat! The spacious rear seats made it easy to install child seats, though the glove box is disappointingly small, likely due to a fuse box taking up space.
Final Verdict: A Premium EV That Gets the Big Things Right
The Volkswagen ID.7 is a refined, spacious, and tech-packed EV, ideal for families and long-distance drivers. It fixes many of the infotainment flaws of earlier VW electric models and delivers impressive range and comfort.
What We Loved:
✅ Spacious & practical interior – Great for families and road trips
✅ Much-improved infotainment – Big screen, responsive software, and smart navigation
✅ Long range – Over 350 miles real-world range on some models
✅ Clever storage solutions – Hidden compartments and functional design
What Could Be Better:
❌ Size may be a challenge – Not the easiest car to park in tight spaces
❌ Some UI quirks remain – The window button design is irritating
❌ Auto-parking needs work – Still unreliable in real-world situations
Final Score: 8/10 – A fantastic choice for families and commuters who want space, tech, and long range.
Would you consider the Volkswagen ID.7, or do you think another EV does it better? Let us know in the comments!
