The Volkswagen ID.7 is a sleek and spacious electric sedan that aims to redefine the segment with its cutting-edge technology, aerodynamic design, and impressive range. It has already won several accolades, including the German Car of the Year 2024 and the Danish Company Car of the Year 2024. But what makes the ID.7 so special and how did it beat its rivals in these prestigious awards? Let’s find out.
The ID.7: A New Benchmark for Electric Sedans
The ID.7 is the latest addition to Volkswagen’s ID family of electric vehicles, which also includes the ID.3 hatchback, the ID.4 crossover, and the Volkswagen ID.Buzz van. The ID.7 is based on the ID.Aero concept which was unveiled in 2019 as a preview of Volkswagen’s vision for a futuristic and efficient electric sedan.
The ID.7 is built on the same modular electric platform (MEB) as the other ID models, but it features a new rear-mounted electric motor that delivers 282 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The ID.7 is initially offered with a rear-wheel drive configuration, but a dual-motor all-wheel drive variant with more power is expected to join the lineup later.
The ID.7 also boasts a large battery pack with a capacity of 77 kWh (usable), which enables it to achieve a range of up to 382 miles on a single charge, according to the WLTP cycle. A larger battery pack with 86 kWh (usable) and a range of up to 435 miles will be available as an option in the future. The ID.7 can support fast charging up to 170 kW, which means it can replenish 80% of its battery in about 30 minutes at a compatible station.
The ID.7 is not only efficient, but also stylish and spacious. It has a sleek and aerodynamic shape, with a low and elongated silhouette, a sloping roofline, and a short front overhang. It has a drag coefficient of just 0.23, which is among the lowest in its class. The ID.7 also features LED headlights and taillights, a light strip that connects the front and rear lights, and a retractable door handle that pops out when the driver approaches.
The ID.7 has a spacious and minimalist interior, with a generous wheelbase of 2.96 meters and a large trunk of 550 liters. It can accommodate five passengers comfortably, with plenty of headroom and legroom. The ID.7 also offers a high level of customization, with various colors, materials, and ambient lighting options to choose from.
The ID.7 is equipped with a large 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as over-the-air updates and online services. The ID.7 also has a head-up display with augmented reality, which projects key information and navigation instructions onto the windshield, so the driver does not have to take their eyes off the road. The ID.7 also has a digital instrument cluster, a multifunction steering wheel, and a voice control system that responds to natural language commands.
The ID.7 is packed with advanced driver assistance and safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition. The ID.7 also has a semi-autonomous driving mode called Travel Assist, which can steer, accelerate, and brake the car within its lane at speeds up to 130 mph, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
The ID.7: A Winner of Multiple Awards
The ID.7 has received rave reviews from critics and customers alike and has won several awards in different markets. The most notable are the German Car of the Year 2024 and the Danish Company Car of the Year 2024, both prestigious and influential honors in the automotive industry.
The German Car of the Year 2024 is an award that is decided by a jury of 18 leading automotive journalists from Germany, who test and evaluate dozens of new cars every year. The ID.7 was chosen as the winner out of five finalists, which also included the BMW i4, the Hyundai Ioniq 6, the Mercedes-Benz EQE, and the Tesla Model 3. The jury praised the ID.7 for its design, performance, range, comfort, and technology and called it a “game-changer” and a “new benchmark” for electric sedans.
The Danish Company Car of the Year 2024 is an award that is decided by a jury of 10 experts from the Danish fleet and leasing industry, who assess the suitability of new cars for the corporate market. The ID.7 was chosen as the winner out of 10 finalists, which also included the Audi A6 e-tron, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Kia EV6, and the Volvo XC40 Recharge. The jury praised the ID.7 for its spaciousness, practicality, efficiency, and value and called it a “perfect company car” and a “future-proof choice”.
