The 2025 Volkswagen ID.5 Pro has landed in Australia, and it’s arguably the most desirable version of VW’s MEB-platform twins. Taking the formidable mechanical package of the ID.4 Pro and wrapping it in a seductive coupé-SUV silhouette, the ID.5 is clearly positioned as the style statement.

But for the savvy Australian EV buyer, aesthetics are secondary to autonomy. Can that sleek, sloping roofline translate into superior real-world highway range? We cut through the marketing noise to analyze the true efficiency and long-distance capabilities of the 2025 Volkswagen ID.5 Pro on challenging Australian roads.

The Aerodynamic Edge: ID.5 vs. ID.4

The key differentiator for the ID.5 is its aerodynamics. While the ID.4 is a classic, boxy SUV designed for maximum practicality, the ID.5’s fastback roofline is designed to slice through the air more efficiently, a critical factor at Australia’s sustained high speeds (100–110 km/h).

• Claimed Efficiency (ID.5 Pro): Volkswagen states the ID.5 Pro consumes 15.5-18.0 kWh/100km (combined WLTP).¹ This is fractionally better than the ID.4 Pro’s claim, thanks to the more aerodynamic body shape.
• WLTP Range: The official World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) range for the rear-wheel-drive ID.5 Pro is up to 543 km from its 77 kWh (net) battery—nearly identical to its boxier sibling, suggesting the gains are small but real.²

The ID.5 Pro is priced from A$62,990 before on-road costs, commanding a roughly $3,000 premium over the ID.4 Pro, meaning buyers are truly paying for the style and the very marginal efficiency gain.³

🇦🇺 The Highway Reality: What Aussies Can Expect

WLTP figures are calculated under laboratory conditions, often including city cycles with high regenerative braking that don’t reflect an hour-long cruise on the Hume Highway. Australian road testing is essential to understand the true impact of the ID.5’s design.

Local reviews and international tests on the updated 2025 powertrain consistently demonstrate a reliable efficiency figure for continuous highway driving (100–110 km/h) in mid-size MEB SUVs:

This range of 358 km to 395 km is the crucial planning figure for Australian road trips.

• The Aerodynamic Advantage: Where the ID.5 truly justifies its existence is in the high-speed GTX variant, which gains a more noticeable range boost over the ID.4 GTX. While the difference in the single-motor Pro models is negligible (perhaps 5-10 km at best), the fact that the ID.5 maintains the 543 km range with such a performance-focused look is a victory for style without major substance loss.

The Powerhouse Upgrade: Making the ID.5 a Pleasure

The 2025 ID.5 Pro is far more than just a bodykit. It shares the same critical hardware updates as the ID.4, which fundamentally improves the driving experience:

• New Motor: The latest-generation Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PSM) delivers 210 kW of power and a massive 545 Nm of torque to the rear wheels.⁴ This allows the ID.5 Pro to complete the 0–100 km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds.⁵
• Highway Confidence: The enormous 545 Nm of instant torque is the real hero on the highway, ensuring that merging onto freeways or overtaking on country backroads is a swift, confident, and effortless affair—a stark improvement over the earlier, less powerful 150 kW versions sold overseas.

Furthermore, the standard Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) is a key benefit for Australian drivers. This system allows the driver to select from 15 suspension settings, enabling a plush, compliant ride over poorly maintained regional roads while maintaining a firm, composed feel for faster highway stretches.

🔌 Charging Capability: Minimising Downtime

The ID.5 Pro utilizes the same improved charging hardware as the ID.4.

• DC Fast Charging: The peak DC charging rate has been lifted to 175 kW.⁶ At a capable ultra-rapid charging station, this allows the 77 kWh battery to go from 10% to 80% in approximately 28 minutes.⁷
• AC Charging: The onboard AC charger is capable of 11 kW, meaning a full charge at home on a three-phase power wallbox will take around 8 hours—perfect for overnight charging.⁸

This sub-30-minute top-up time is critical for making long Australian drives viable, placing the ID.5 Pro firmly in the competitive bracket for charging speed, even against some 800V rivals.

🖼️ The Interior Experience: Style Meets Substance

Volkswagen has finally listened to feedback, making the ID.5’s cabin a premium place to spend a long journey:

• New Infotainment: The laggy old system is gone, replaced by a much faster, more intuitive 12.9-inch central touchscreen running new software.⁹ This improves the user experience immensely.
• Premium Cabin: Standard features for Australia include IQ.LIGHT Matrix LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof, tri-zone climate control, and Art Velour upholstery, all contributing to the luxury feel.¹⁰

Crucially, despite the coupé roofline, rear headroom remains excellent due to the ID.5’s bespoke EV architecture, avoiding the claustrophobia common in traditional coupé-SUVs. Rear passengers even get their own dedicated climate control and comfort amenities.

The Final Word for the Australian EV Buyer

The 2025 Volkswagen ID.5 Pro is a highly polished, fully resolved electric SUV. It brings the vital power and technology updates the Australian market demanded.

• The Practical Reality: The real-world highway range of approximately 360-400 km is a strong, usable figure that competes well against its main rival, the Tesla Model Y Long Range (which generally achieves closer to 400-450 km on the highway).
• The Value Proposition: For a premium of around $3,000 over the ID.4 Pro, the ID.5 Pro offers a visually distinctive design, marginal aerodynamic benefits, and the satisfaction of driving the sleeker, more stylish sibling.

The ID.5 Pro is the choice for the Australian buyer who refuses to compromise on style but demands genuine, long-haul competence and a comfortable, high-tech driving experience. It proves that electric motoring can be both practical and undeniably cool.

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