Test of the VW ID.7 GTX Tourer: A Passat GTI on electric power

For a long time, there were only small cars or SUVs with electric drive. But the estate cars that are popular with families and companies in Switzerland despite the SUV hype? Not a thing. Fortunately, that has changed. With the BMW i5 Touring, for example - or the VW ID.7 Tourer, the electric estate car that fits the bill. The ID.7 is a sporty GTX - VW's GTI for electric cars - with all-wheel drive. A 210 kW rear-wheel drive and an 80 kW electric motor on the front axle merge to form an electric 4×4 and a system output of 250 kW/340 hp - more than enough, as our test shows. With the impressive 4.96-meter-long estate, you can speed through bends with astonishing dynamism. But actually, it is above all a dignified glider with power reserves - it goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. In the test, however, we tend to hold back when it comes to spurts and end up with a test consumption of a good 16.9 kWh/100 km.

Cool head-up display
The interior of the VW is really pretty with red decorative stitching or the red GTX lettering in the front seat backrests. And the head-up display, which comes as standard in the GTX, is really practical. It projects information into the driver's field of vision. This frees up space in the actual dashboard, where the classic instruments are now clearly smaller. However, not every technical advance can convince us. Whether you really need ambient lighting with 30 colors is a matter of taste. We think the air conditioning controls are a step too far: When stationary, it might be fun to individually adjust the air flows on the large central display. But while driving, we would like to have simple buttons or manually adjustable air vents back.

Silent space glider
The voice control of the VW ID.7 GTX Tourer also still has room for improvement. On the other hand, the VW is a space-saver with long-distance comfort. And at night, we appreciate the standard "IQ.Light" (LED matrix headlights), which ensures perfect visibility. Among other things, it has dynamic bend lighting and continuous high beam, which cuts out oncoming vehicles and thus does not dazzle anyone with optimum illumination. Even after long journeys - even at night - we get out of the prestigious car feeling very relaxed. And the five-seater has space, lots of space! Five people travel comfortably in it and, despite the large battery pack (86 kWh for up to 685 km WLTP range, around 640 km in the practical test), there is also enough space for luggage: 605 liters is a lot of space. If the rear seats are folded down, up to 1714 liters fit inside.

Offer has its price
However, the comprehensive capabilities also come at a price: the VW ID.7 GTX Tourer starts at 77,700 francs, which is 16,200 francs more than the entry-level ID.7 estate, which has to make do as a pure rear-wheel drive vehicle with a 77 kWh battery. If you add the optional heat pump to the GTX to preheat the battery optimally for charging and to heat the interior in winter without losing too much range, and extend the warranty to four years and 100,000 km, the price tag quickly shows an 8 on the front. On the other hand, there is a cool e-combi with all-wheel drive - but not every VW customer will be able or want to treat themselves to that.

Expert opinion: VW ID.7 GTX Tourer
The GTX is a dignified glider with ample space and all-wheel drive, which is particularly popular in Switzerland.
Advantages
+ Head-up display as standard
+ Solid interior with plenty of space
+ Very balanced handling
Disadvantages
- Air conditioning adjustable via display
- Space, dynamics and 4×4 have their price