• One power output, with more to follow
• Effortless, undramatic and refined performance
• Outpaced by rivals, but does it matter?

What power options are there?

Unlike other Volkswagen ID models that offer a huge and confusing range of motors and batteries, the ID.7 Pro Match currently comes exclusively with a 286hp motor married with a 77kWh battery pack. It’s rear-wheel drive, and offers up a 0-62mph time of 6.5 seconds. The Pro S with a 86kWh battery pack will join the range later.

For most drivers, that will be more than adequate for joining fast-moving traffic, even if rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 Long Range or BYD Seal Excellence would leave it for dead away from the lights. But in reality, ballistic acceleration is a range-sapping party trick you soon tire of – and once you accept that and relax, the ID.7’s effortless pace really suits the car.

If you do find yourself craving more performance, the good news is that the sportier four-wheel-drive GTX model will be joiing the range. Even then, if our experience of the ID.4 and ID.5 GTX is anything to go by, it still won’t be the last word in performance or excitement.

Neat and accurate handling, but this car’s forte is its supreme long-distance comfort.

37

What’s it like to drive?

• Quick and accurate steering
• Safe handling
• Comfortable ride

The ID.7 is everything you’d expect from a flagship car as long as you accept it’s not going to overload you with feedback. So, it’s quiet and comfortable, and that quick acceleration is backed up with the ability to cover big distances without stressing the driver. Wind and road noise are agreeably muted, the steering is light, and the ride is compliant, well damped and soft enough to leave you feeling unruffled.

Switch over to Sport mode and the ID.7’s adaptive chassis control sharpens up the acceleration and firms up the ride, but it remains composed no matter what you do. The only dynamic foible you could level at it is that there’s a little pitter-pitter on typically pockmarked UK roads, so it never completely settles down.

This isn’t a car you’ll want to push, but even with a heavy right foot, the ID.7 is stable. It’s rear wheel drive, though you’d never really know – and it’s doubtful most customers would care. Even in slippery winter conditions, the rear wouldn’t misbehave without severe provocation, which is reassuring for its safety.

Finally, the brakes are typical of that in an EV and give away some pedal feel for regeneration. You can select ‘B’ mode to increase the amount it slows down when you lift off the accelerator, but never enough to facilitate one-pedal driving, like a Tesla Model 3. Similarly, the steering is light rather than full of feedback, but that goes hand in hand with the aims of this car. The forthcoming four-wheel drive GTX will go some way to addressing that.