This EV can't match practicality of Kia EV5

Time's up! Our three-month long-term test of the Volkswagen ID.5 Pro is over and I have so many thoughts about this electric car. 

It does some things way better than its rivals but misses the mark slightly in other areas.

This is the stuff you learn over a longer period of time as an owner would discover, too.

The Volkswagen ID.5 is one of the best mid-sized electric SUVs I've driven. The emphasis is on the word "driven", however.

Sure Volkswagen might not be the first brand you think of when it comes to EVs, especially given the enormous variety offered by Chinese brands, but the company's cars are nearly always excellent to drive and the ID.5 is no different.

Some EVs are just quick at accelerating but the rest of the driving experience feels half baked, from the ride and handling to the steering and driving position.

The ID.5 isn't all that quick when it comes to accelerating (0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds) compared to some EVs, but all the components that make a superb driving car are there.

The steering is accurate and well weighted, the suspension setup offers both a comfortable ride and sporting handling, the seating position makes you feel part of the car, and, being rear-wheel drive, the ID.5 Pro benefits from better traction, good balance and a sporty feel.

The next best ID.5 Pro takeaway is the 543km driving range which is equal to many petrol SUVs. For city dwellers like our family who only do between 60 and 150km a week, it was enough to last a couple of weeks between charges.

This month, for example, we only travelled 238km. But keep in mind we have two cars in our family - the one we own and the car I'm testing. If we were a one-car family, then you might find the ID.5 needs to be charged weekly.

Batteries are very different to petrol tanks and charge can be used up faster, depending on the type of driving. Motorways tend to deplete the charge, whereas lower-speed city driving with lots of braking will conserve the charge. 

The ID.5 does well on this front. Official energy consumption is 16.3kWh/100km, but we averaged 18.8kWh over three months. Still, many electric SUVs hover above 20kWh and I'm sure with more conservative driving the ID.5 would easily hover around the official consumption figure.

And my final best bit of the ID.5 is the design. I wasn't sold on the styling at first and I still think this car looks inflatable and odd, but it's such a refreshing change from all the SUVs that seem to look the same. With this unique design the ID.5 oozes premium car quality inside and out. 

The ID.5's biggest drawback is the lack of cabin practicality, and not just in terms of outright space. It feels like VW didn't prioritise storage solutions, which isn't great for a medium sized SUV that'll be considered by families.

Seriously, I have driven two smaller electric SUVs recently with far more space and cleverer interior packaging than the ID.5. This lack of clever storage is unusual for a Volkswagen which is a brand that prides itself on its utility.

Electric cars don't have drive shafts and transmission tunnels eating into cabin space so there really is no excuse.

The boot's usability is reduced due to the sloping coupe roofline and there's no front boot here, either. The mechanically identical ID.4 has a more practical boot. With 549 litres on offer, the boot is large enough for shopping, just don't try to fit anything too tall in there.

Yes, there are door pockets and cup holders, but that's about it. A family needs trays, large covered areas, hidey holes and deep wells for all of the bits and pieces that follow them.

Add to this a cabin without physical buttons, but with touch-sensitive haptic controls instead for everything from volume to temperature control, and the car loses points for functionality.

The ID.5 would suit people without children or those whose children have flown the nest. But for busy parents the ID.5 doesn't offer the kind of help needed in terms of space and practicality. If only there was a fully electric version of the Volkswagen Tiguan! This would be perfect. 

That said, the ID.5 really is lovely to drive and for those looking at buying an electric car that is as good to pilot as the best combustion cars, this is it. This electric SUV is also appealing thanks to its unique design that differentiates it from the same-same design of so many modern EVs.

Acquired: March 2026

Distance travelled this month: 238km

Odometer: 2633km

Average energy consumption this month: 18.1kWh/100km

The Volkswagen ID.5 Pro is superb to drive and the styling is unique, all while remaining true to the brand's premium look and feel throughout. The battery gives enough range without the anxiety and the price is very competitive against rivals such as the Toyota bZ4X.

If you are looking for an electric family SUV, the ID.5 isn't the most practical for space and storage. That's a shame because functionality is a big priority for buyers of this type of car. It feels more design study than the outstanding utilitarian products we typically see from Volkswagen.

If it has to be a Volkswagen EV and you have a family, the related ID.4 might be better suited with its more traditional SUV body style. Or even better, the ID.Buzz electric van!