a silver ID.5 park outside with a man walking towards it

Coupé SUV - the best of everything

Everyone has heard of SUVs. But Coupé SUVs, or “crossovers”, are gaining popularity as electric cars. We reveal what the name means and why these models are currently so popular as with electric drivers.

Everyone has heard of SUVs. But Coupé SUVs, or “crossovers”, are gaining popularity as electric cars. We reveal what the name means and why these models are currently so popular as with electric drivers.

This article on electric crossovers explains that ...

  • the designations SUV and CUV are defined very differently in the USA and Europe.
  • as electric cars, these vehicles come into their own.
  • Volkswagen, with the ID.4 and ID.5 coupé-SUV launched in November 2021 has increased its credentials in the electric car market.

Off-road vehicle or saloon car? Sports car or van? Coupé or estate? The boundaries between the different categories of vehicles are becoming blurred. This development started in the USA. There, the attractive design features and comfort equipment of normal cars have enhanced the off-road vehicle's rather archaic appearance. The result was the sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Crossing of good genes

SUVs embody the 'American way of life' in steel. Solid, they provide mobility and benefits in the wilderness, while also being versatile and looking good around town. But at some point, it became clear that these vehicles, with their solid technology, robust chassis, leaf-spring suspension, and indestructible all-wheel drive, weren’t necessarily appropriate for urban life on city streets. The next evolutionary stage came in the 1990s when the developers crossed the practical high body shape with the technical platform of mass-produced saloon cars. The result was the perfect urban off-road vehicle. This new combination from the good genes of both vehicle segments was christened the crossover utility vehicle (CUV) – or simply the 'crossover', which is obvious as it is the crossing of two categories.

The American separation of vehicle categories into off-road vs. urban vehicles did not end up being quite as razor-sharp in Europe. The CUV class never really took off here. Everything that features big wheels, good ground clearance, and a smart off-road design is simply known as an SUV. The now very wide range of new and used models has evolved into clear winners on the market. This trend has been accelerated once again with electric cars.

Electric (re-)discovery of the crossover

No wonder electric SUVs are booming. And the term crossover is becoming more and more common over here. After all, it accurately describes the future-centric crossing of traditional SUV strengths with the revitalising lifestyle of the new electric era: futuristic design meets a sustainable drive concept and integrated digital connectivity. This fits perfectly with the generous space under the high roof, a good driver's view, comfortable entry into the vehicle, an improved feeling of safety, and the vehicle's unbeatable versatility. The compact electric drive technology ensures that these vehicles have a spacious interior design: plenty of space for large batteries and therefore also a good range. As the battery is accommodated in the underbody of the vehicle, the vehicle has a low centre of gravity and therefore safe and well-balanced driving dynamics.

Lady coming down from a car

Elegant and efficient: the ID.5 SUV Coupé

The ID.5, which Volkswagen launched in November 2021, is also based on the Volkswagen modular electric drive matrix (MEB). The launch of the vehicle was an exciting look toward a new era of electric mobility with Over-the-Air updates and bidirectional charging. The ID.5 combines a sporty and elegant coupé design as a contemporary symbiosis of the outstanding everyday benefits of an SUV with the sustainable performance of an electric car. It also offers intuitive operation within a fully connected digital vehicle cosmos – a modern CUV created from the manual for electric crossovers.

a silver ID.5 parked outside a building
a red ID.5 GTX parked outside a cottage

Sporting electric flagship vehicles

Our range of electric vehicles includes high-performance models such as the ID.5 GTX, launched in November 2021 (combined power consumption in kWh/100 km: 17.1; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 0; efficiency class: A­+). In most driving situations, the motor is used on the rear axle. If the car wants to drive in a sportier manner or requires more grip, the electric motor switches in a fraction of a second to the front axle.

Built-in individuality: the Taigo

Travel your way in the Volkswagen Taigo. This model comes with a range of fully-connected features including Wireless App-Connect which gives you total control of your music and media apps. Step inside and alongside a fully-digital cockpit you’ll also discover inviting upholstery and a luxurious leather-bound multifunction steering wheel. There’s even optional ambient lighting for an even more homely feel. Plus, there’s a full suite of Driver Assist systems to make you safer than ever out on the road. 

a lime green Taigo facing the sea parked on a pier

Next steps

Stay informed about Volkswagen Electric Vehicles 

View our Pure Electric models 

Build your own VW Electric model in our configurator 

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Important information :

^If you are selecting a Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 or ID.7 then prices shown are the MDP (Manufacturer's Direct Price).  This is the price set by Volkswagen which you pay for the vehicle.  Volkswagen ID vehicles are sold by Volkswagen UK, a trading division of Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited (please note that you will need to visit an authorised Volkswagen Retailer (acting as agent for Volkswagen UK) to order, purchase and take delivery of your Volkswagen ID vehicle).  The MDP includes delivery to an authorised Volkswagen Retailer (acting as agent for Volkswagen UK), number plates, new vehicle registration fee, the first year's Vehicle Excise Duty and VAT (calculated at 20%).  You can find out more about the Volkswagen model for selling ID vehicles by clicking https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/legal/mdp-explained.html.

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