William from Out of Spec Roaming drove the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer GTX over a Norwegian mountain pass in winter conditions, partly to test the car and partly to put Volkswagen’s competitive position in context. The car itself performs better than its reputation might suggest: over 478 km of cold driving that included snow, ice, and a full mountain crossing, it averaged 19.2 kWh per 100 km. At one stop, it charged from 17% to 53% in 11 minutes on an Alpitronic Hypercharger, pulling close to 200 kW through most of that window. The GTX delivers 340 horsepower through all-wheel drive and tracks straight on mixed-friction winter surfaces. The problem is not the winter driving. The problem is everything else.
Three things need to change. The first is software. The ID.7’s current software works for daily use and is better than any previous VW EV effort, but it still lacks dog mode, real-time vehicle data visible in an app, and the seamless phone integration buyers now expect. There is still a startup step tied to the ignition that breaks the feeling of a fully integrated system. Volkswagen is working on this through a joint venture with Rivian, which is developing both the software and the underlying electrical architecture for future models. The ID.1 and cars following it are expected to use that new platform. The second problem is interior quality. The lower door card uses hard plastics throughout, and the car ships with only two power window switches at this price point. Both are gaps that buyers at this price bracket will notice.
The third issue is charging speed. At 200 kW peak, the ID.7 is competitive but not leading. William suggests 300 kW would meaningfully improve real-world road trip times and the spec-sheet comparison at point of sale. The broader framing of the video is explicit: Chinese EV manufacturers are offering better interiors, more advanced software, and comparable or stronger hardware at the same price point. The ID.7 is a better long-haul car than most people give it credit for. The suspension handles rough Norwegian mountain tarmac without drama, sport mode is genuinely enjoyable on tight roads, and the efficiency numbers through difficult winter conditions are strong. But the gap Chinese brands are closing at the premium end is not abstract.
Bottom line: The Rivian/VW software and architecture deal should address the most significant weaknesses in future ID cars. Whether VW closes these gaps fast enough is a more open question. Chinese rivals are not sitting still while the update is being developed.