After years of patient waiting, the Volkswagen electric wave has finally crashed onto Australian shores, bringing with it the much-anticipated ID.4 and its coupé-styled sibling, the ID.5. Both mid-size electric SUVs arrive with the crucial 2025 mid-cycle updates, meaning more power, better range, and a vastly improved interior tech experience.

But here’s the burning question on every savvy Aussie buyer’s mind: Should you spend the extra cash for the ID.5’s sleek silhouette, or is the ID.4 the smart, value-packed EV to park in your garage?

We dive into the key differences and the common ground between these two electric twins to help you decide if the ID.5 upgrade is truly worth it for the Australian lifestyle.

👯 The Family Ties: What They Share

First, let’s clear up the relationship. The ID.4 and ID.5 are built on the exact same MEB dedicated electric platform. They share nearly all mechanical and technological components, especially in the 2025 models arriving down under:

• Crucial Mid-Cycle Upgrades: Both models benefit from the highly anticipated 2025 updates, which include a potent new rear-drive motor (delivering 210kW and 545Nm in the Pro models—a huge boost from earlier versions).
• Battery Power: Both the Pro and GTX variants use the same battery packs (77kWh net usable capacity).
• Interior Tech Fix: Volkswagen has finally addressed the most common complaint with a new 12.9-inch central touchscreen and a heavily revised, more intuitive infotainment system. Crucially, the long-overdue steering wheel controls are also more user-friendly.
• Charging Speed: DC charging now peaks at a respectable 175kW (for the GTX and higher-spec Pro models), meaning quick top-ups on our growing public charging network.
• Standard Features: Volkswagen has packed both models with generous standard kit for Australia, including Matrix LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof, adaptive suspension (DCC), and comprehensive IQ.DRIVE safety systems like Travel Assist.

In short, you are getting the same core engineering, performance, safety, and modern interior tech in either car.

📐 The Key Difference: Style vs. Substance (and Price)

The entire decision comes down to the body shape—and the resulting price tag.

1. The Design: The Coupé Curve

The ID.4 is the traditional, practical SUV: upright, boxy, and maximising interior volume. It’s the spiritual successor to the family-friendly Tiguan.

The ID.5 is the coupé-SUV. Its roofline tapers gracefully from the B-pillar back, ending in an integrated spoiler. It is designed to be the style-conscious choice, a sleek, sporty statement that looks faster even when standing still.

2. The Price Gap

While final pricing for all variants is still coming, the trend is clear: the ID.5 commands a premium.

Volkswagen has made the ID.4 Pro a seriously sharp deal at under $60k, aggressively undercutting key rivals like the updated Tesla Model Y. The ID.5 Pro asks for an extra few thousand dollars purely for the aesthetic flair.

3. Practicality: The Headroom and Boot Trade-Off

In most coupé-SUVs, the sloping roof means a big hit to practicality. With the ID.5, the compromise is surprisingly small:

The Aussie takeaway: For 95% of family duties—school bags, groceries, and weekend gear—the difference in boot space is negligible. However, if you regularly stack the boot vertically with large items (like a dog crate or bulky camping gear), the ID.4’s squared-off rear window provides a clear advantage.

4. Range: The Aerodynamic Edge

This is where the ID.5 claims a practical win, albeit a minor one. The ID.5’s smooth, tapered roofline is more aerodynamic than the ID.4’s conventional shape.

• ID.4 Pro WLTP Range: 544 km
• ID.5 Pro WLTP Range: 543-544 km (Essentially the same)

While the single-motor Pro models are almost identical, the difference becomes more notable in the dual-motor GTX variants, where the extra efficiency is welcome:

• ID.4 GTX WLTP Range: 511 km
• ID.5 GTX WLTP Range: 522 km

The ID.5 GTX squeezes an extra 11km out of the battery compared to its ID.4 sibling, thanks to that slippery profile. For long-distance Australian touring, every kilometre counts.

verdict: Is The Upgrade Worth It?

The 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 are, for all intents and purposes, the same brilliant, updated electric SUV. They offer competitive range, solid performance (especially in 210kW Pro guise), and the polished interior tech that the market has been waiting for.

• Choose the ID.4 if:
  • Value is paramount. The ID.4 Pro’s circa-\$60k starting price is incredibly competitive and offers almost identical performance and range.
  • You need maximum versatility. The boxier rear end is better for vertically stacking luggage or accommodating the tallest passengers in the back.
• Choose the ID.5 if:
  • Style is non-negotiable. You love the sleek, coupé-SUV aesthetic and are happy to pay a ~$3,000 premium for it.
  • You want the GTX performance with the best efficiency. The ID.5 GTX’s aerodynamic body nets you an extra 11km of range compared to the ID.4 GTX.

The ID.5 is the emotional choice; the ID.4 is the rational choice. Given how small the difference in performance and practicality is, you are simply paying a little extra for the look. But in the world of EVs, having a choice between brilliant function and brilliant form is a win for the Australian consumer either way.

Which style is calling to you? Are you prioritising the ID.4’s value or the ID.5’s sleek lines? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to explore this article for a deep-dive review of the ID.4 Pro’s real-world efficiency on the Aussie highway!

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