2022 Volkswagen ID.6 X review: First drive

At the 2021 Shanghai Motor Show, VW unveiled the ID.6. The bigger brother of the ID.4 is available as crossover badged ID.6 X and as a slightly rowdier, more SUV-like Crozz.

Its wheelbase was extended by 300mm to make room for a third row of seats, but those who travel seven-up should only bring hand luggage. After all, its boot volume varies between hopeless and acceptable depending on the chosen cabin configuration.

At 4888mm, the neo-MPV with the pseudo-off-road livery is 10mm longer than the full-size Touareg. Marginally taller and wider than the ID.4, it tips the scales at a substantial 2280kg.

In contrast to the soon-to-be-discontinued Sharan and both Multivan generations, the people movers built in Foshan and Anting must do without practical rear sliding doors.

Access to seat row number three is accordingly compromised, and the same goes for the rear legroom, headroom and shoulder room as well as for the contourless, thinly padded seats.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Regrettably, drive-day photography for this test could not be supplied, as a result of COVID-related logistics troubles. And, as a primarily Chinese-market offering, official photography for the ID.6 X is in short supply. Wheels apologises for this result.

17

Customers keen on jumping the dim-sum queue by outpacing their hungry rivals on the way to the best restaurant in town should opt for the top-of-the-line AWD model that boasts a combined output of 228kW. While the front wheels are powered by a 76kW motor, the 152kW rear drivetrain is a carryover from the ID.3.

The entry-level variant has a 134kW unit wedged between its hind legs. There are two different underfloor battery packs on offer; the smaller outfit is rated at a humble 58kWh, the brawnier energy source good for 77kWh. According to the rather optimistic Chinese NEDC norm, users can expect a range of 436 and 588km respectively.

The all-wheel drive ID.6 will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.6sec but the top speed of both models is limited to 160km/h. The average consumption works out at a miserly 18.2kWh/100km, peak torque is a useful 310Nm, the maximum charge power is a merely adequate 125kW.

It's an okay car, the ID.6 X, but dynamically it does not play in the same league as the Tesla Model 3 Long Range or the Hyundai Ioniq 5, both of which command similar prices. Charge power and charging time, voltage, ergonomics, recuperation and the portfolio strategy that puts the ID.4, ID.5 and ID.6 in the same small basket are among the points we take issue with.

17

Who better to respond to our concerns than the brand‘s new R&D chief Thomas Ulbrich?

"The ID range has been very well received, but it is perfectly clear that we must continue to improve the product and extend the services that come with it," he says.

"Whereas we are going to stick with the 400V system over the entire lifecycle, the maximum charge power will, before long, increase to 170kW.

"VW just started the first round of no-cost over-the-air updates, and we are soon going to unlock additional functions at cost. Rather than chasing Tesla for performance, our emphasis is on practicality and user-friendliness.”

Like its brethren, the ID.6 is not as involving to drive as its chief rivals. In terms of handling prowess and entertainment value, the top-of-the-line model is at best a dozen confettis and half a paper streamer more rewarding than the base ID.4. The brand´s defensive recuperation philosophy is again a major bone of contention.

Comments the CTO: “Customer feedback suggests that some users would like us to extend the one-pedal feel until the vehicle comes to a full stop. Other clients are in turn interested to dial in the coasting mode at random.

"Both requests warrant attention but bear in mind that it takes about two years to write, implement and certify the corresponding software. As far as hardware changes are concerned – the touch sliders and the light pod received some criticism – we would not take action before the mid-cycle update."

17

With the exception of the surprise-and-delight instant torque effect, the ID.6 is a stoically safe transportation appliance that ticks all must-have boxes but rarely excels. According to the mastermind behind the ID movement, the ongoing transformation process will soon introduce new features while the related proximity of extended autonomous driving capabilities calls for a major rethink on part of the industry and customers.

In this context, VW freely admits that self-determined drivers who enjoy regularly testing their limit and the vehicle dynamics that enable them to do so – among them the enthusiastic GTI and R crowd – are no longer the target audience of the ID family of cars.

Instead, the EV range "was conceived for people who actively use assistance systems and other digital means to get from A to B in an exceptionally safe and relaxed manner".

On the roads around Wolfsburg, the German-designed Asian import displayed a potpourri of strengths and weaknesses. As soon as a destination is set, the sat-nav kicks off the journey by allowing the predictive co-pilot to assist certain accelerating, braking and steering manoeuvres. This may be a useful algorithm for members of the anti-destination league, but it is a persistent irritation for active drivers.

After all, the black box lifts off way too early, meets speed limits with frustrating anticipatory obedience and is prone to double the distance to the car in front just as one might contemplate a last-minute overtaking act before the next roundabout. Certain electronic disruptors can be idled step by step, but they are back in full force after every restart.

17

Even in Sport mode – where AWD is active at all times – and in the least interfering energy regeneration stage, the ID.6 X simply isn‘t interested in late braking, extra-sharp throttle responses or aggressive cornering.

On the credit side, the top-of-the-line ID is a near-silent and markedly effortless cruiser. It takes a minor earthquake to unsettle the irrevocably plotted dynamic stability, every journey provides the kind of cocooned isolation that used to be privy to luxury sedans, the suspension remains amazingly compliant even when the car is fitted with optional 21-inch wheels, the directional poise is spot-on and the mix of grip, traction and roadholding cements confidence.

The steering is neatly weighted and precise, but its habit of scanning the full range from digital detox to automatic activism can be disconcerting at times. The brakes certainly fall short of an Oscar nomination. They require a fair bit of effort, their feedback is vague rather than reassuring, full deceleration strikes only after a momentary delay, and the long pedal travel, in combination with the varying effort, takes the progressive smoothness out of every stopping procedure.

Also on our wish list are a kickdown-induced temporary maximum speed extension to take the sting out of overtaking manoeuvres on a busy stretch of autobahn, paddleshifters for intuitive access to a choice of recuperation modes or virtual gear changes and, generally speaking, a more switched-on spirit. True, this is a difficult tightrope to walk for every contender.

17

After all, in the EV world power and torque are no longer the key deciders and differentiators. Instead, the focus is shifting towards efficiency and convenience in order to manage range anxiety and charge anxiety, which will likely remain the tallest acceptance hurdles for years to come.

Means of getting there include superior aerodynamics, reduced weight and broader digital talents, as well as more sophisticated batteries and motors.

As far as the ID.6 X is concerned, VW must further emotionalise the product, add sparkle to the customer experience and offer a much wider choice of mobility as a service.

VERDICT

The ID.6 X is an oddball choice. Genetically, it is a somewhat compromised people mover. Visually, it is a wannabe SUV.

It is a competent yet bland crossover, let down by complex ergonomics and lecturing software.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Regrettably, drive-day photography for this test could not be supplied, as a result of COVID-related logistics troubles. And, as a primarily Chinese-market offering, official photography for the ID.6 X is in short supply. Wheels apologises for this result.