Volkswagen ID.7 GTX review: The class leader?

With the ID.7 VW wants to respond to the criticism of its current model range. In our test report you will find out whether this has been successful. We had the opportunity to test the VW ID.7 in the sporty GTX 4Motion variant for two weeks in everyday use and on long journeys. It was clear from the start that VW had to act in order to remain relevant in the highly competitive electric car market. Especially with the ever-improving competition from the Far East.

The criticism of the Wolfsburg-based company was varied: poor interior quality, inadequate software, lack of battery heating, to name just a few points. Are these and other points of criticism really a thing of the past with the ID.7? Yes, we can confirm that in advance. We also compare the ID.7 with its direct German competitors, the BMW i5 and the Mercedes EQE. If I'm a little too enthusiastic about the ID.7, please understand. I've been driving a pre-facelift VW ID.3 Pro Performance for more than two years now. I can definitely confirm the criticisms from the press and customers, so I'm all the more happy for Volkswagen that things have finally gotten better. Will they be able to turn things around? That remains to be seen, of course. The current registration figures seem to give hope.

Video report:

tl;dr: Top marks for a German electric car?

The ID.7 GTX brings a sporty touch to the electric mid-range. With all-wheel drive, 340 hp and an attractive appearance, the GTX version stands out from the normal ID.7. In practice, the GTX impresses with good acceleration, plenty of space and a successful combination of comfort and sportiness. The software is now finally at a very usable level and there are illuminated sliders for the temperature in the interior. Has Volkswagen listened to all the criticism? Is the ID.7 GTX the right choice for sporty, ambitious electric car drivers? And is it the best electric car from Germany? We’ll clarify that in our test.

Design and workmanship: Subtly sporty appearance

The ID.7 GTX only differs visually from the normal ID.7 in details, but deliberately focuses on sportier accents. At the front, the striking LED matrix headlights, which are visually connected by a white cover, are striking. The VW logo is illuminated, and the sporty front apron with additional GTX honeycomb pattern air inlets ensures a more dynamic look. What is missing are the air curtains, which are supposed to ensure greater efficiency in the normal ID.7. New lights have been installed there, which are supposed to radiate even more sportiness.

At the rear there is the familiar continuous light strip with GTX lettering and a slightly suggested diffuser. Unfortunately, our test vehicle only had the small 19-inch rims, which are good for efficiency but don't look as sporty. Larger wheels are also available as an option. Overall, the design remains understated, but with a clearly recognizable sporty touch. The Kings Red metallic paintwork with black accents gives it the finishing touch to make it stand out as a GTX model.

The workmanship in the interior is of high quality, with pleasant materials and a tidy design. The sports seats with GTX logo offer good lateral support, and the optionally available panoramic glass roof with dimming function creates an airy feeling of space. Volkswagen relies on sustainable and, above all, high-quality material mixes, which simply make the interior look better than in the old ID. or combustion engine models.

The optional AGR massage seats are a class of their own. I honestly have never experienced such a good massage in a car in this price range. Even a BMW i7, which costs significantly more, simply can't keep up.

Infotainment and operation: Improved ID. Software 5.2

The central 15-inch display is the control center of the ID.7 GTX. VW has significantly improved the software compared to previous ID models, which is reflected in faster response times and better menu navigation. The voice control called IDA (short for ID. Assistant) works reliably, and the new standard augmented reality head-up display proprojects navigation instructions directly into the driver's field of vision; additional information such as fuel consumption and remaining range is also available on request.

Unfortunately, there are still touch controls for climate control and volume, but these are now backlit - a point of criticism that already caused dissatisfaction with earlier VW models. Here, VW has listened to the feedback of testers and customers. There are still touch buttons on the very comfortable steering wheel. However, these are now easier to operate and ensure fewer incorrect entries.

The optional Harman Kardon sound system delivers good sound, and thanks to the OTA updates, the infotainment remains future-proof. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work wirelessly and reliably, and in full size.

Drive and handling: dynamics meets comfort

The ID.7 GTX relies on a dual-motor all-wheel drive with a system output of 340 hp and 560 Nm of torque. This allows the sedan to sprint to 5 km/h in just over 100 seconds - noticeably faster than the normal rear-wheel drive variant.

Despite its sporty genes, the ID.7 GTX remains a comfortable car. The adaptive chassis DCC+ (Dynamic Chassis Control) adjusts depending on the mode and offers a good balance between sportiness and long-distance comfort. The steering is precise, but could provide a little more feedback. But that's typical for a Volkswagen, just good.

In curves, the GTX remains stable and easy to control, even if it is not as agile as a Tesla Model 3 Performance works. The recuperation cannot be adjusted, but depends on the selected driving mode - a missed opportunity for more individualization. Unfortunately, there is still no full-fledged one-pedal mode, only the B driving mode.

Consumption and range: performance costs energy

The ID.7 GTX comes with an 86 kWh battery (91 kWh gross), which enables a WLTP range of around 550 km. In practice, however, consumption is between 18 and 22 kWh/100 km, which leads to a realistic range of around 400 km, especially on the highway. Unfortunately, the ID.7 GTX, like its normal rear-wheel drive model, only drives at a maximum of 180 km/h. This should not be a problem for many, but is surprising. The newly introduced ID.3 GTX Performance easily manages a top speed of 200 km/h. I hope for a performance upgrade in the future.

The ID.7 GTX shows its best side when it comes to fast charging: With up to 200 kW charging power, it can be charged from 25 to 10 percent in around 80 minutes. Up to 11 kW is possible with AC chargers. VW also integrates intelligent charging functions such as V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) and Plug&Charge. In the infotainment system, the same charging values ​​can be called up in winter temperatures as in midsummer using manual battery heating. This function is of course also automatically integrated into the new e-route planner. This means that even beginners in electromobility do not need to worry. However, we are missing a charging provider filter in the VW navigation system; you can prefer IONITY or WeCharge, but this only affects the map and the symbols displayed. Not the planned route.

Assistance systems: still at level 2

Volkswagen has equipped the ID.7 GTX with all modern assistance systems. The IQ.Drive Travel Assist enables partially automated driving at level 2 and works very reliably on motorways and country roads. The adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and improved parking assist make everyday life easier. We therefore recommend the Travel Assist to anyone who plans to order an ID.7. It's really worth it - even if you don't often drive long distances. (However, you should then consider whether an ID.7 is the right choice in general.)

A new feature is the remote parking assistant, which allows the vehicle to be parked and unparked using a smartphone. The 360-degree camera is also a useful addition. However, Volkswagen could offer a higher resolution in the cameras. In our test, it was really the lowest of the low.

Is the ID.7 the best electric car from Germany?

The VW ID.7 GTX brings a welcome dynamic to the ID. series. With a powerful drive, good workmanship and greatly improved infotainment, it is an interesting alternative to the Tesla Model 3 Performance, BMW i4 M50 or the Hyundai Ioniq 6 AWD. Regarding long-distance electric cars.

However, sportiness has its price. Round 63.155,00 € (including 19 percent VAT) is what VW charges for the basic ID.7 GTX. If you value range, you're better off with the normal ID.7 version. But if you're looking for a sporty electric sedan with comfort and the old, typical VW qualities, we think the ID.7 GTX is a really exciting option.

In addition, VW offers the ID.7 Tourer GTX – a genuine fully electric station wagon that, with its generous space and long range, represents a real alternative to the classic combustion station wagons.

Overall, the ID.7 GTX is really the best electric car from Germany at the moment, as it combines long-distance comfort, modern design and advanced technology in a coherent overall package. It shows that Volkswagen is still able to build high-quality and sophisticated vehicles with a clear focus on the future. As some have already claimed online, VW has not brought an electric Passat onto the streets, but rather an electric successor to the VW Phaeton.

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