Is this the new long-range EV king? 2023 Volkswagen ID.7 looks to drive as far as a combustion car on a single charge and take on electric car rivals like Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6

Volkswagen has officially revealed the ID.7, a mid-size sedan-like hatch with a whopping 700km of WLTP-certified range on a single charge.

While at first glance, the ID.7 looks to replace the Passat in Volkswagen’s fully electric ID family, it is larger at almost five metres in length, as well as more luxurious, encompassing roles of other vehicles in the VW line-up like the Arteon. The ID.7 will launch in late 2023 in Europe and China, with more global markets to follow in 2024, however, Volkswagen Australia has ruled out the ID hero car for our market, at least for now.

VW says the ID.7’s extended range - the longest of any current ID model and one of the longest on any production EV currently - is allowed by a new, more efficient drive motor, improved thermal management for the battery, and improved aerodynamics.

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The new high-efficiency drive motor produces 210kW while the ID.7’s drag coefficient is just 0.23.

While variants have yet to be confirmed, Volkswagen has shown the ID.7 with a 15-inch multimedia touchscreen, AR head-up display with a small digital instrument cluster, a re-designed approach to the climate functions, which now have a dedicated section of the screen to themselves, and sporty bucket seats in a combined microsuede/leather trim.

VW says for the first time in a Volkswagen, the ID.7 will have an electro-chromatic - or auto-dimming - panoramic glass roof, and ‘adaptive seats’ with heating, cooling, and even a drying function. Massage seats are expected to be on the options list, alongside a 14-speaker 700-watt Harmon Kardon speaker system.

Volkswagen has shown the ID.7 with a 15-inch multimedia touchscreen.

On the charging front the ID.7 will follow in the footsteps of some of its major rivals, and up the maximum DC charging speed to 200kW. It will also feature what Volkswagen is calling “best-in-class assistance systems” consisting of a more comprehensive adaptive cruise suite able to change lanes on its own above 90km/h, and a self-parking capability that can be operated remotely up to 50 metres away.

Despite its impressive specification, the ID.7 will have its work cut out for it against the likes of Hyundai’s Ioniq 6, Tesla’s updated Model S, and even cars like the Mercedes-Benz EQE which it shares a similar body style with.

The ID.7 is one of ten new EVs Volkswagen intends to launch by 2026, which will also include an updated ID.3, the ID.Buzz long-wheelbase van, a small SUV, and the diminutive ID.2 hatch that will replace the Polo.

The ID.7 has a whopping 700km of WLTP-certified range on a single charge.

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The ID.7 measures in at nearly five metres in length.

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Volkswagen says the ID.7 will sit at the top of the price scale for its electric models for the time being, while the ID.2 will provide an entry-level EV offering, with a price target of roughly AUD$41,000.

The Australian market is yet to see any ID model, with the lack of local incentives or regulations incentivising VW to globally send its limited supply of electric cars to other markets.

The ID.4 SUV is set to finally arrive before the end of 2023, with the ID.3 hatch to arrive shortly thereafter.

The ID.7 has a maximum DC charging speed of 200kW.

The first product based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform will instead be from its new Spanish performance marque, Cupra, with the Born EV hot hatch (which itself is a spin-off of the ID.3) arriving imminently. 

The ID.5 coupe SUV and ID.Buzz van are also confirmed for an Australian launch during 2024.

VW Australia says the ID.7 is not in the plan for the Australian market, at least in the near-term, with a brand representative telling CarsGuide: "At this point the ID.7 is not for our market as our focus will be on our electric SUV range."