VW finally overhauls ID.4 and ID.5 tech, and adds more range

Volkswagen has given the ID.4 and the similarly fashioned coupe-SUV ID.5 a bit of a makeover. Mind you, the changes are… minimal. And welcome. That’s because the people have spoken, and VW has acted.

The most significant upgrade is the new-generation infotainment suite, which frankly couldn’t come soon enough. The brand would have to be doing something very wrong to make it more frustrating than the incumbent, eh?

There’s a larger 12.9in screen and a different menu structure that VW calls ‘intuitive’. We'll be the judge of that. It also says there are illuminated sliders for controlling the cabin temperature – common sense prevails at long last.

Volkswagen says it’s also moved the driving selector to the steering column, a la the new ID.7 saloon.

An enhanced augmented reality (and still optional) head-up display and new voice assistant promise to be more precise, connecting to a wealth of cloud-based functions. And the sound system has been given an overhaul too, with a new 10-speaker Harman Kardon suite.

Away from the cabin kit, the other big news is that VW’s integrated its new APP550 drive unit, which also features on the ID.7. It uses less energy and offers more power, generating 401lb ft of torque, up from 228lb ft. Impressive.

The GTX versions of both models also get a boost of about 40bhp, pushing the power output to 335bhp.

That means there’s also more range. The ID.4 gains 10.5 miles for 337 miles total, while the ID.5 adds 11.8 miles for 339 miles all in. Granted, it's not loads more, but they all count right?

VW’s also been tinkering with the thermal management so it charges faster, and all-wheel-drive variants can now reach 175kW DC, up from 135kW max. 110 miles in less than 10 minutes? Don’t mind if we do.

On-the-road prices start from £46,035 (including VAT) – more, more, more indeed. Enough to tempt you into one?