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Volkswagen’s electric SUV ambitions hit a critical juncture. After spending three months behind the wheel of an ID.5 earlier this year, I can confirm what many suspected: the ID.4/ID.5 twins were a missed opportunity. Now, with the ID.Tiguan reportedly on the horizon, the German automaker faces a make-or-break moment to challenge the Tesla Model Y. As of April 2025, fresh spy shots from Germany suggest the new model is undergoing cold-weather testing, and the question is whether VW has finally learned from its mistakes.
The ID.5, a coupe-like version of the ID.4, is priced around $63,000 in the US—similar to a mid-range Tiguan. But it’s not a Tiguan. The core problem: terrible practicality for a family SUV. Despite a 2.8-meter wheelbase (longer than the Tiguan’s 2.7m) and no bulky engine, the cabin feels cramped, storage is almost nonexistent, and the boot is too small. There’s no frunk either. For a brand that built its reputation on utility, this was a stunning failure.
In my long-term review of the ID.5, I pointed out that Volkswagen dropped the ball with its first dedicated electric SUV for Australia and the US. The ID.4 and ID.5 simply aren’t fit for purpose as family haulers. Passenger space is tight, front seat occupants have to share a tiny center console, and rear legroom is mediocre. The design, overseen by former head Klaus Zyciora, prioritized form over function. Zyciora, who left VW in 2023 to become vice president and global head of design at Chinese automaker Changan, had a 35-year career at VW, including the Mk IV Golf and Tiguan. But his last EV project was a lesson in how not to design a practical family car.
Now, the design team is in transition. After Zyciora’s departure, Michael Mauer—the man behind the 991 911, 918 Spyder, Macan, and Taycan—took over as VW Group design boss in 2023. Mauer was part of the cleanup crew for the ID.4/5 before handing over to Andreas Mindt in March 2025. By the time Mindt arrived, the ID.Tiguan had already been spotted cold-weather testing in Germany, according to photography from CarScoops and Autocar. The new model is based on the MEB+ platform, an evolution of the current ID.4/5 architecture. That should bring improvements in space and efficiency, but VW needs to deliver more than a facelift.
The stakes are high. Chinese EV makers like BYD, Nio, and Xpeng are gaining ground rapidly, and Tesla’s Model Y remains the benchmark. A failed ID.Tiguan could hurt VW’s credibility in the electric SUV segment. The ID.4 and ID.5 have already been discontinued in several markets, including Australia, and sales in the US have been sluggish. According to VW’s own internal documents leaked last year, the ID.4’s practicality issues were identified as a top reason for customer dissatisfaction.
What needs to change? First, the cabin must offer more storage and better passenger space. The MEB+ platform should allow for a shorter front overhang and a longer wheelbase, which could translate to more interior room. Second, the boot must be competitive. The Model Y offers 854 liters of cargo space, while the ID.4 only manages 543 liters. Third, VW should add a frunk—something the ID.4 lacked entirely. Fourth, the infotainment system needs an overhaul. The current ID.4/5’s laggy touchscreen and haptic sliders are widely criticized. Fifth, the ID.Tiguan must offer a more engaging driving experience. The ID.5 drives well, but the steering is numb and the regenerative braking settings are buried in menus.
The ID.Tiguan is expected to be unveiled later this year, with a 2027 on-sale date for the US—though given the pace of electrification, VW might accelerate that timeline. If the new model fixes the fundamental flaws, it could be a genuine Model Y competitor. But if VW repeats the same mistakes, it will be another missed opportunity. As for me, I’ll be the first to climb behind the wheel and find out.
