2022 Volkswagen ID 5 review: Bland on the run

Did any car ever try to be more things to more people than this? VW’s new ID 5 is an SUV and a crossover, a coupé, a hatchback and an EV all rolled into one. And now you’re waiting for me to explain why the resulting confection is not also the automotive embodiment of the much used ‘Jack of all trades’ epithet.

You’ll be waiting a while, for that is precisely what the ID 5 is: a broadly effective device for doing a wide range of jobs yet one of so little character or distinction I am writing these words within minutes of vacating its interior for the last time because if I leave it any longer, I fear I might forget about it entirely. It suffers to an even greater extent from that blandness affecting the Mercedes-Benz EQE above. I’ve actually been driving quite a few VWs of late, including the T-Roc R, the new little Taigo SUV and the new Multivan I’ll review next month and to varying degrees I liked them all. But the ID 5 is just dull: dull to look at, sit in and drive.

And I’ll continue to say how dreadful is the CARIAD infotainment system used in this and other VWs until it is either improved or, better, entirely replaced. The ID 5’s particular problem is that, well equipped and harmless enough though it is, others do this kind of car better, particularly the Koreans. Faced with the choice of this or a Kia EV6, I’d not hesitate. A 50 grand Kia over the equivalent VW? That’s how fast this world is changing.

Volkswagen ID 5 Tech Pro statistics

• Price £53,165
• Engine Rear electric motor, 77kWh battery
• Power 173bhp
• Torque 229lb ft
• Weight 2188kg
• Power to weight 79bhp per tonne
• Transmission Single-speed, rear-wheel drive
• 0-60mph 10.4sec
• Top speed 99mph
• Range 313 miles (WLTP)
• CO2 0g/km
• Verdict Dull from every standpoint