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Volvo EX40 vs VW ID.5
Selected trimSingle Motor Extended RangeChange trim355 mi · 82 kWh · £39,610
At a glance
In this comparison, Volvo EX40 leads on charging speed, while the VW ID.5 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Volvo EX40 if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the VW ID.5 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW ID.5 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueVW
Volvo
6.9
VW
7.4
Motorway RangeVW
Volvo
4.1
VW
6.7
FamilyVW
Volvo
6.9
VW
8.3
ChargingVolvo
Volvo
6.6
VW
5.7
Cost Per MileVW
Volvo
3.3
VW
7.5
City DrivingVW
Volvo
5
VW
6.3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £39,610 | £36,995 (better) |
| Official range | 355 miles (better) | 352 miles |
| Boot space | 410 L | 539 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min (better) | 29 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Volvo EX40
VW ID.5
Length
Volvo EX404,440mm-159mm
VW ID.54,599mm
Width
Volvo EX401,873mm
VW ID.51,852mm-21mm
Height
Volvo EX401,651mm
VW ID.51,618mm-33mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,440 mm | 4,599 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,873 mm | 1,852 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,034 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,651 mm | 1,618 mm |
| Turning circle | 11 m | 10.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 527 mm spare | 548 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 917 mm | Not available |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 4 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 410 L | 539 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1400 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 31 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,500 kg (better) | 1,000 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Volvo EX40 Single Motor Extended Range |  VW ID.5 Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.44m | 4.60m+159mm |
| Width | 1.87m | 1.85m-21mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.03m | Not available |
| Height | 1.65m | 1.62m-33mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.77m+69mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 410L | 539L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1400L | Not available |
| Frunk | 31L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 917mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11m | 10.2m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,075kg (better) | 2,128kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg (better) | 1,000kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 82kWh (better) | 79kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 355 mi (better) | 352 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 200kW (better) | 165kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £39,610 | £36,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £39,610 (not eligible) | £35,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2026+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 355 miles (better) | 352 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 242 miles | 293 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min (better) | 29 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 200 kW (better) | 165 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 167 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 82 kWh (better) | 79 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec | 6.7 sec (better) |
| Power | 185 kW | 210 kW (better) |
| Torque | 420 Nm | 545 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Volvo EX40
Single Motor Extended Range
VW ID.5
Pro Essential
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Volvo EX40 Single Motor Extended Range
Tested 2018
Adult Occupant97%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - VW ID.5 Pro Essential
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist85%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range | VW ID.5Pro Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Volvo EX40
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Volvo EX40
- £38,0582025Car360View
- £36,8872025Car360View
- £35,0372024Car360View
VW ID.5
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo EX40 worth the extra £2,615 over the VW ID.5?
The Volvo EX40 costs £2,615 more than the VW ID.5. For that premium it adds 35 kW faster peak rapid charging. The VW ID.5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 129 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Volvo EX40 or the VW ID.5?
The VW ID.5 is £2,615 cheaper to buy. The VW ID.5 is cheaper to charge, roughly £152 a year versus £184 for the Volvo EX40, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the VW ID.5 comes out roughly £2,775 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Volvo EX40 and VW ID.5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 242 miles for the Volvo EX40 and 293 miles for the VW ID.5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The VW ID.5 goes roughly 52 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-29 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Volvo EX40 or the VW ID.5?
The two are within 21 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 548 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.5 and about 527 mm of total clearance for the Volvo EX40. The VW ID.5 also turns in a 0.8 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Volvo EX40 or the VW ID.5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Volvo EX40 and 84% for the VW ID.5. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Volvo EX40 comparisons
More VW ID.5 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Volvo EX40 and VW ID.5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Volvo EX40 and VW ID.5 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Volvo EX40 and VW ID.5 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Volvo EX40 and VW ID.5 rank among long-range EVsWhere the Volvo EX40 and VW ID.5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Volvo EX40 and VW ID.5 rank among the best city EVs
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Volvo EX40 or EC40 (2024-on): Versions, the Braking Recall & What to Pay
A used Volvo EX40 and EC40 buyer’s guide: Single Motor, Extended Range and Twin Motor compared, real-world range, warranty left, the B-mode braking recall, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used VW ID.5 (2022 on): Pro, Pro Performance or GTX, Software, Range & What to Check
A used VW ID.5 buyer’s guide: Pro 174 PS, Pro Performance and GTX vs the 2024-on 286 PS Pro, the software issues and updates, the heat pump, warranty left, the door-handle recall, real-world range, what to pay vs new with the grant, and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .