Volkswagen ID.5 GTX 2023 Review – International

How much does the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX cost?

According to VW officials, it’s far too early for pricing of the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX to be released ahead of its launch around July next year.

It’s had plenty of time to study the market, so VW Australia is highly unlikely to drop the ball when it comes to costing out the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX, especially considering there’ll be some in-house competition in the shape of the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron arriving early next year and the Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe due later in 2024.

The Cupra Tavascan is also coming in 2025.

For now, VW bean counters will be obsessively tracking the leading Tesla Model Y that kicks off at $65,400 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive model, rising to $78,400 for the Long Range derivative and $91,400 for the quickest Performance model.

Since Volkswagen will offer the ID.5 only in GTX performance trim in Australia, we think it will aim squarely at the dual-motor/all-wheel drive Model Y Long Range version, not the ballistic Performance flagship that’s in another league for straight-line acceleration.

Perhaps VW shouldn’t be so fixated on Tesla. There’s a host of other outstanding medium-sized electric SUVs and crossovers already available, including the Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 5.

The BYD Seal U, Toyota bZ4X, Subaru Solterra and others should also arrive before the ID.4 and ID.5, with more, such as the Polestar 4, following close behind.

On top of the retail price, expect limited options on the ID.5 GTX in a bid to keep the supply of cars free-flowing.

We think extras will be limited to a premium paint finish, larger 21-inch wheels, a heat pump and a dealer-fit tow bar – and that’s it.

It’s worth remembering, too, that unlike Tesla’s fixed pricing you can haggle with Volkswagen, so further discounts might also be forthcoming if VW dealers aren’t swamped with ID.4 and ID.5 orders.

What equipment comes with the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX?

Standard equipment for the 2023 Volkswagen ID.5 GTX in Europe includes large 20-inch alloy wheels and Matrix LED headlights (with automatic high beam), LED tail-lights and LED fog lights.

There’s a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry/start, a multi-function steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and satellite navigation.

The ID.5 GTX will be backed by Volkswagen’s standard five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia, while its battery pack will have a separate eight-year/160,000km warranty – both par for the course.

Volkswagen says it’s not ready to release servicing costs for any ID model, but we expect them to copy the closely-related Cupra Born that has a capped-price service regime costing $1590 for the first five years/75,000km.

In Europe, it’s recommended the ID.5 visits the workshop every two years or 30,000km.

Without the need for oil changes and generally low levels of wear and tear, that $1590 figure charged by VW’s Spanish brand sounds almost as expensive as a combustion vehicle, but at least Cupra offers a concierge-style free pick-up/drop-off service that will be attractive to many.

How safe is the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX?

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.5 GTX and ID.4 twins were awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating earlier this year, based on New Zealand specifications.

The VW coupe-SUV scored 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant safety and 76 per cent for vulnerable road users, plus 76 per cent for its safety assist systems.

The latter is likely to be bumped up to 85 per cent once speed limit recognition is included. The tech is already standard on Euro-spec ID.4 and ID.5 cars, and is set to be introduced on the first model year update.

Other standard safety equipment on the Australian-spec ID.5 GTX should include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist, auto parking (Park Assist) and blind spot monitoring – both Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert and Exit Warning.

Eight airbags (including centre front), driver fatigue and tyre pressure monitoring, Pre-Crash Assist and a 360-degree camera with parking sensors front and rear are also expected.

What technology does the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX feature?

We think that by the time the 2023 Volkswagen ID.5 GTX launches in Australia it will have received some crucial mid-life tweaks that include a thorough overhaul of its infotainment system.

For now, there’s a 12-inch central touch-screen but this is likely to be replaced with a larger 12.9-inch unit that will feature new hardware and faster-acting software with more sophisticated natural-speak voice control and backlit haptic sliders for climate and audio settings.

A more advanced augmented-reality head-up display (HUD) should also be offered, reducing driver distraction further in what still remains an overly complex and fiddly infotainment system.

Our car on test includes a useful HUD that works in concert with a 5.3-inch instrument panel. It’s also fitted with four USB-C charging points, a wireless smartphone charger and the usual Apple and Android smartphone mirroring.

Future over-the-air (OTA) updates will continue to improve the infotainment system by adding new features and functionality, but are also primed to introduce paid subscription services for owners.

What powers the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX?

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.5 GTX is powered by two electric motors that provide all-wheel drive and, combined, produce 220kW and 460Nm of torque.

They are fed by a 77kWh lithium-ion battery.

For now, there are no plans to introduce single-motor ID.5 models that are currently available in Europe. These will be offered with the more practical ID.4 wagon rather than the sportier coupe-style ID.5.

Against the clock, Volkswagen says the ID.5 GTX is capable of a 0-100km/h sprint of 6.3 seconds, on its way to a limited top speed of 180km/h.

Those figures are comprehensively overshadowed by the dual-motor/AWD Tesla Model Y Long Range (0-100km/h 5.0sec, 217km/h). However, the mid-life-tweaked ID.5 GTX should receive a power boost to 250kW (+30kW) and an even more sizeable bump in torque, so watch this space for details ahead of launch.

When it comes to topping up the battery, Volkswagen says the ID.5 GTX can be fast-charged from 5-80 per cent in 36 minutes at a maximum charging rate of 135kW – although a revised battery could see this increase to around 175kW.

Use an 11kW AC wallbox and Volkswagen says a full charge (0-100 per cent) takes 7.5 hours.

How far can the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX go on a charge?

VW says the 2023 Volkswagen ID.5 GTX will travel up to 490km on a single charge using the WLTP method.

That’s 43km less than the Tesla Model Y Long Range that can cover up to 533km on the same test cycle before it needs a top-up.

What is the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX like to drive?

There’s little drama about the way the 2023 Volkswagen ID.5 GTX goes about its business.

Flatten the throttle and the way it launches off the line, without wheelspin, is impressive and feels quicker than its 6.3sec 0-100km/h claim.

We’d go further to suggest that few will need any more straight-line thrust offered by the ID.5 GTX, but a quicker updated version is coming all the same.

Like the smaller ID.3 hatch, Volkswagen hasn’t bought into any of the gimmicks some of its rivals have when it comes to synthesised backing tracks, or trying to replicate the sound of a V8, and we think silence suits the ID.5 GTX.

Refinement levels are high, with little sound of either electric motor or inverter permeating into the cabin.

Body roll is well contained and the all-wheel driver’s torque vectoring is effective, but the lack of adjustment even through tight corners, plus lifeless (but still precise) steering, means the ID.5 GTX isn’t that engaging to drive – not in the way a Golf GTI would be.

Based on Volkswagen Group’s MEB architecture, the ID.5 GTX gets a five-link rear suspension and a MacPherson strut front-end. It sits around 15mm lower than the ID.4 and has specially tuned sports suspension that includes adaptive dampers.

Even though the ‘GTX’ moniker is supposed to be VW’s all-electric GTI equivalent , engineers have still fitted it with humble rear drum brakes – such is the power of regenerative braking using the motors.

At least the pads for the rear brakes are said to last the life of the car.

The blend between ‘real’ braking and regenerative braking (where the ID.5 uses the motor to claw back energy to charge the batteries) is better in the ID.5 than the ID.3 hatchback, but we still think there’s work to be done to improve pedal feel.

It also doesn’t help that the electronics are trying to mask a very considerable 2221kg kerb weight, which explains why the ID.5 GTX doesn’t deliver anything close to the agility of a hatch.

That said, unless the Tesla Model Y undergoes a complete chassis overhaul, we think most will prefer the ID.5’s far comfier ride.

As part of the incoming upgrades, the facelifted ID.5 GTX is primed to be even better to drive as all-new software, more sensors and extra chassis tweaks should make for better agility and enhanced ride comfort – but we haven’t driven it yet.

Like the updated ID.3 we recently drove, it’s worth pointing out there’s no ability to vary the regen using a pair of steering-mounted paddles, as found on some of its rivals.

Instead, you only have the choice of ‘D’ (Drive) or ‘B’ for extra brake regen force. There’s no one-pedal driving mode that’s beloved by some EV owners.

Volkswagen says the ID.5 GTX can tow up to 1400kg (braked), which is more than the ID.4 but less than the 1600kg a Tesla Model Y can haul.

What is the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX like inside?

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.5 GTX cabin is far preferable to the Tesla Model Y that goes too far when it comes to its minimalist approach and can feel a little sterile.

Volkswagen’s approach feels more rational and the layout more conventional.

Subtract some points for perceived quality as there’s some brittle-feeling plastics, but overall, again, we think most owners – other than the tech-obsessed – will prefer spending time in the VW over the Tesla.

It’s a shame, then, that some of the tech on board the ID.5 GTX is so irritating. The natural-speak voice control is too easily triggered (it can be turned off) and even a small amount of wheel twirling can accidentally engage the touch-capacitive steering wheel controls.

At least there’s a row of shortcut buttons on the dash, and the knowledge a faster, more intuitive upgrade of the infotainment system is on the way – and should be included in the models we get Down Under.

Volkswagen claims the ID.5 GTX offers more cabin space than what’s found in the equivalent-sized Tiguan, and that certainly feels the case.

The back seat has plenty of legroom, and if you need more headroom you have the option of buying the ID.4. But the ID.5 GTX isn’t as cramped for tall folk as you might think, with headroom only reduced by 12mm over the ID.4.

Rear passengers are also provided with air vents and a climate dial, plus two ISOFIX child restraint attachment points at the outboard positions. The front passenger seat is also set up to carry a child seat, but this may not carry over to the Australian market.

Unusually, considering its more rakish rear styling, the boot space in the ID.5 is fractionally bigger than the ID.4 (549 v 543 litres), although its boxier sibling regains the advantage with the split-fold seats down (1561 v 1655L).

Despite its long snout, the ID.5 GTX misses out on a frunk, although some enterprising aftermarket firms are offering small carrier trays that fit under the front bonnet to store the charging cables.

Should I buy a Volkswagen ID.5 GTX?

As it stands, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.5 GTX doesn’t translate into the hot all-electric SUV we hoped to find, but there’s a lot to recommend compared to the Tesla Model Y that leads the EV segment.

It’s quiet, refined, fast and comfortable and feels better built and more conventional inside compared to the Tesla Model Y.

Around nine months out from launch, it’s clear that pricing will be crucial if the ID.5 GTX and its ID.4 siblings achieve VW’s aim of knocking the Tesla Model Y off the top of the charts in Australia.

Priced too high and the ID.5 GTX will have to size up against the likes of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 that are both faster to charge and more convincing packages.

More worrying still is the arrival of far newer rivals such as the BYD Seal U that should deliver cutting-edge tech at attractive prices and could make the ID.5 GTX feel a little outdated right from the get-go.

2023 Volkswagen ID.5 GTX at a glance:
Price: $75,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: July 2024
Powertrain: Front asynchronous motor, rear permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 220kW/460Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 77kWh lithium-ion
Range: 490km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 17.1kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au