VW ID.4 vs. ID.5
Compare the VW ID.4 vs. ID.5 on styling, driving, tech, dimensions and practicality
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By Craig Hale
Last updated: 19 June 2025
VW ID.4 vs. ID.5 comparison
Volkswagen has a growing range of electric cars to choose from, but there are still plenty of reasons why you might choose one over the other, for example the Volkswagen ID.4 vs. ID.5.
They might share a badge, battery tech and dashboard layouts, but they're not identical twins. Whether you're after everyday practicality or a sleeker silhouette, this guide will help you compare VW ID.4 vs. ID.5 differences.
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ID.4 vs. ID.5
Our guide will answer:
Is the VW ID.4 or ID.5 better to drive?
Does the VW ID.4 or ID.5 have better tech?
Which car has the better styling?
Is the VW ID.4 or ID.5 more reliable?
What are the VW ID.4 vs. ID.5 dimensions?
VW ID.4 vs. ID.5: styling
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The Volkswagen ID.4 keeps things chunky and upright, making it feel much more familiar if you're used to buying SUVs as your primary family car.
In fact, they both have the same upright front-end design, but it's from the B-pillars where things get different – the section between the front and rear doors.
Like the combustion-powered Tiguan, the ID.4 has a similar upright rear-end with a conventional boot design.
In contrast, the VW ID.5 has a sloping, coupé-style roofline designed to turn heads with a slightly more glamorous look. The subtle – but certainly noticeable – rear spoiler finishes it off. You don't get one on the ID.4.
VW ID.4 vs. ID.5: what are they like to drive?
 "Side-by-side image of VW ID.4 and ID.5")
Here's the truth – these two drive very similarly. Volkswagen uses the same battery and motor tech in both SUVs, so you can expect the same level of quiet smoothness.
The low placement of the batteries (under the floor) means they have lower centres of gravity than combustion-powered SUVs, so they can feel a bit nicer to drive around corners.
It's worth noting that the ID.5 is pitched as a slightly more premium alternative, so some of the less powerful motors and smaller batteries offered in early versions of the ID.4 were never available, but we'd always recommend the 77kWh battery pack (available in both) for the best real-world range of around 200 miles.
The ID.5's more aerodynamic shape also makes it slip through the air more efficiently – only by a touch, but you might get a mile or two more range from the battery compared with the ID.4, and that might make the difference between having to charge or not on a long journey.
VW ID.4 vs. ID.5: interior and technology
 "Side-by-side image of VW ID.4 and ID.5")
Hop inside and you'll realise just how similar the ID.4 and ID.5 are – don't look in the rear-view mirror (where you can see the ID.5's sloping roofline) and they're indistinguishable.
It's all about the touchscreen – you control the media, navigation and climate from the infotainment system, but at least there are some (touch-sensitive) slider shortcuts for volume and temperature controls to make it easier to make changes on the go.
A second, smaller screen sits behind the steering wheel with speed and road safety information.
We love the ID. Light strip at the bottom of the windscreen, which glows and swipes different colours for different reasons – such as charging, navigation directions or collision warnings.
VW ID.4 vs. ID.5: boot space and practicality
 "Side-by-side image of VW ID.4 and ID.5")
It would be reasonable to think that the ID.4's upright stance lends it better to practicality, but the ID.5 actually has more boot space, believe it or not.
The difference is negligible, so it's unlikely that you'd be able to fit anything else in the ID.5 that you wouldn't in the ID.4. The key takeaway here is not to base your purchasing decision on boot size.
We're talking the difference between 543 litres (ID.4) and 549 litres (ID.5).
VW ID.4 vs. ID.5: safety and reliability
The best part about these two cars sharing so many mechanical and technological features is that they share reliability ratings.
In some earlier ID.-branded electric cars, there were some glitches with the infotainment systems, but these were generally ironed out before the ID.4 and ID.5 hit the market, and free over-the-air (OTA) software updates have further improved things.
Mechanically, they're as sound as you'd hope from VW. Being electric models, there are fewer moving parts under the bonnet compared with combustion cars, so there's less to go wrong in the first place.
Both got five-star Euro NCAP safety ratings when they were released in 2021, with exactly the same scores across the four testing categories.
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VW ID.4 vs. ID.5: dimensions
VW ID.4
Length: 4,584mm
Width: 1,852mm (excluding mirrors)
Height: 1,640mm
Bootspace: 543 litres
VW ID.5
Length: 4,599mm
Width: 1,852mm (excluding mirrors)
Height: 1,615mm
Bootspace: 549 litres
Verdict: VW ID.4 vs. ID.5: which should you buy?
In this comparison of the VW ID.5 vs. ID.4, it's become evident that not too much separates them mechanically, so it's extremely easy to pick which one you like.
The key influencing factors will be which design you prefer, your budget, and the availability of the models on sale at the time of your search.
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