What's the difference?
At long last, Volkswagen’s electric mid-size SUV duo has landed in Australia.
The appeal of the ID.4 as an electric family SUV alternative to the likes of the Tiguan is obvious, but where does the more coupe-styled ID.5 fit?
It comes in a single GTX trim for now, taking aim at some of the more performance-oriented EV SUVs on the Australian market, of which there are now quite a few. But now it’s arriving later than many of its rivals.
Has VW done enough with the ID.5 GTX for it to justify a spot on your test-drive list? We went to its Australian launch to find out.
Deepal is a recent arrival in Australia but its parent company Changan Automotive is one of China’s largest state-owned automotive manufacturers which was established in the 1950s.
Deepal Automobile Technology (to use its full name) is one of several brands under the Changan corporate umbrella targeting different market segments across passenger and commercial vehicle lines.
Deepal’s focus is on full-electric vehicles with an expanding Australian line-up comprising a compact SUV (S05), mid-sized SUV (S07) and a groundbreaking large SUV (E07) it calls the Multitruck.
We recently spent a week in the E07 to find out if it’s not only practical for family duties but also if its unique design offers genuine workhorse ability to validate its ‘truck’ credentials.
At long last, the ID.5 GTX arrives to make a different pitch than many of its electric rivals. Less about straight-line speed and more about refinement and handling, this EV mid-sizer makes a case for itself, even if itβs not as good value as its ID.4 sibling.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
The Deepal E07 is not a truck, so tradies need not apply. However, for couples and families it's a generously equipped and luxurious EV with a unique electronic approach to a reconfigurable interior, albeit with practicality partly compromised by its fastback styling. So, only car buyers will determine if this is a short-lived automotive curiosity, or a bold new direction for SUV design.