Will the Volkswagen ID.7 Be Better Than the Arteon It Replaces?
Last week, Volkswagen introduced its latest EV, the ID.7. It looks an awful lot like the Arteon, and popular opinion is that it will replace the turbocharged four-door at the end of this year. But will the Volkswagen ID.7 solve the Arteon’s problems? So far, it seems that the answer is yes.
The Arteon is more powerful than the ID.7 on paper
Early indications are that the U.S. version of the Volkswagen ID.7 isn’t coming with a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup. At least, not for the first versions of VW’s new EV. Still, a 282-horsepower rear-drive electric sedan is an enticing prospect for the car’s driving dynamics.
Alternatively, the Volkswagen Arteon is a front-drive liftback four-door with turbocharged power. That said, it comes with 300 horsepower to the ID.7’s 282, and an all-wheel drive option makes for better versatility.
All of this comes with a huge asterisk, however. Because the ID.7 is rear-drive and electric, it’s acceleration will be demonstratively quicker than the Arteon. With 402 pound-feet of torque, it has 105 more than the current Volkswagen five-door. That’s a significant difference in punch. Couple that with the instant power delivery of an EV and the ID.7 will likely leave the Arteon in the dust on a drag strip.
In addition, the Volkswagen ID.7 has four unique drive modes, according to InsideEVs. While the software is in its early stages, the current drive modes include Comfort, Sport, Eco, and Custom. That means drivers will be able to tailor the EV’s power delivery in several different ways, something that the current Arteon doesn’t really deliver.
Comparing interior space
From the outside, there is no denying the similarities between the current Volkswagen and the incoming ID.7 EV. Both have sweeping hood lines, a low-slung profile, and short deck. But inside, the ID.7 goes premium where the Arteon went athletic.
The best seats you’ll find in the outgoing Volkswagen sedan offer ventilation and heat – meanwhile, the new EV has optional massage seats for added luxury. The upgrades don’t end there either.
Rather than the middling eight-inch display in the current car, the ID.7 features a standout 15-inch display that tilts toward the driver. Its size does seem a bit out of scale with the rest of the cabin, though. But considering the level of control and visibility available, that minor oversight will be quickly forgotten.
Cargo space looks to be similar between the two cars, though official figures have yet to be released. The current Arteon boasts 27 cubic feet of cargo space, so if the ID.7 is in the same league it’ll sit above several small crossovers for practicality.
The verdict: Is the ID.7 an improvement over the Arteon?
While it’s too early to truly know, it looks as though the Volkswagen ID.7 solves some of the Arteon’s weak points. It’s nature as a sporty sedan is immediately evident, and the fact that Volkswagen is willing to throw some marketing dollars behind its new EV will almost assuredly put it ahead of its predecessor.
