If you want an electric station wagon, the options available today are relatively limited. One of them comes from Volkswagen, which we tested in the form of its electric Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer.
Electric Station Wagons: A Rare Sight
Despite the constant influx of new electric vehicles, station wagons are still a rarity. The ones available on the Czech market can be counted on one hand: the MG5 Electric, Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric, Peugeot e-308 SW, and the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer we tested. Among them, the ID.7 Tourer is the largest, both in terms of exterior dimensions (length: 4961 mm, width without mirrors: 1862 mm, height: 1536 mm) and cargo space (605 liters, expanding to 1714 liters with the seats folded down).
Design: A Familiar Look
The design of the ID.7 Tourer doesn’t bring surprises, as it’s essentially a stretched version of the liftback model we tested in the summer. Up to the B-pillar, the front and side profiles are identical, with differences starting at the C-pillar. Even so, the rear lights remain very similar, stretching across the entire width of the rear. The headlights and taillights feature impressive welcome animations when illuminated in the dark.
Minimalist Interior
The cabin remains unchanged and is strikingly minimalist. The horizontally structured dashboard is dominated by a centrally placed infotainment display, which controls nearly all vehicle functions. Additional touch-sensitive controls are on the steering wheel, though Volkswagen has announced plans to replace them with traditional buttons due to usability concerns.
Another touch-sensitive area is on the driver’s door for window controls. There are only two switches that alternate between controlling the front and rear windows via a touch pad marked “REAR.” When lit, it controls the rear windows; when unlit, the front ones. However, the system is prone to accidental or unresponsive touches, complicating operation.
The driver’s instrument display is minimalistic, showing only the most essential information, as electric vehicles don’t require extensive data. Additional details are displayed via an augmented reality head-up display, which is one of the best on the market. It shows navigation arrows, adaptive cruise control information, and lane markings when Lane Assist is active.
Behind the Wheel
The Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer is built on the MEB electric vehicle platform. It features a new electric motor producing 210 kW (286 hp) and 545 Nm of torque, replacing the previous 150 kW (204 hp) motor. The tested Pro version is equipped with a 77 kWh usable battery (82 kWh total), while the Pro S offers an 86 kWh usable capacity.
The seating position is comfortable, with easily adjustable seats (available with massage functions) and a well-placed steering wheel. Thanks to the minimalist design, the cabin offers ample storage space, including a generous center console area due to the gear selector being mounted on the steering column.
The single-speed transmission, common in EVs, performs well but has limitations at high speeds, such as on highways, where acceleration becomes less forceful. This is why most EVs have a capped top speed of 160-180 km/h. Some models, like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, use two-speed gearboxes to address this issue.
Despite weighing nearly 2.3 tons, the ID.7 Tourer delivers smooth and responsive acceleration, thanks to the immediate torque of the electric motor. The cabin is impressively quiet across all road conditions, including highways.
Braking, often challenging in EVs, is well-tuned in the ID.7 Tourer. The transition from regenerative to conventional braking is seamless, avoiding the jerks or inconsistencies seen in some other models.
The suspension is another highlight. The adaptive DCC system handles the weight and optional 20-inch wheels excellently, offering a comfortable ride in normal mode. The sportiest setting provides firmer handling but doesn’t feel overly stiff, though it doesn’t quite match the car’s overall relaxed demeanor.
Efficiency and Charging
We tested the station wagon in late autumn, with temperatures hovering around freezing. This affected energy consumption, which ranged between 16 and 20 kWh/100 km, compared to 10-13 kWh/100 km during summer testing of the liftback version. The cold weather also reduced range, with the ID.7 Tourer achieving just over 300 km compared to around 400 km in summer conditions.
The MEB platform operates on a 400V architecture, limiting charging speeds to 170 kW. Volkswagen claims a 10-80% charge takes approximately 25 minutes under ideal conditions. The vehicle can preheat the battery to optimize charging, either automatically when a charging station is set in the navigation or manually via the infotainment system.
Conclusion and Price
For those considering an electric station wagon, the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer is a strong contender. It offers a spacious interior, impressive ride quality, and refined driving dynamics. However, some details, like touch-sensitive controls, could be improved.
While winter conditions affect its efficiency and range, the ID.7 Tourer remains competitive, with energy consumption levels that outperform many other EVs even in summer.
Pricing starts at CZK 1,349,900 for the Pro Limited variant. The Pro People configuration we tested costs CZK 1,551,900. For a larger battery, the Pro S People is available at CZK 1,638,900, while the range-topping GTX version with all-wheel drive starts at CZK 1,906,900.