Volkswagen is lagging a bit behind some competitors with its electric offerings. For example, there is a compact electric crossover missing from the lineup. That will change soon, thanks to the Volkswagen ID Cross.
Highlights Volkswagen ID Cross
For years, the ID3 has been the smallest electric Volkswagen. That is still an EV the size of a Golf. Below that, there is nothing, while competitors like Peugeot, Opel, and Renault have been active with small EVs for some time. In fact, they not only have traditional B-segment cars with an electric drivetrain but also high-performance versions. None of that at Volkswagen, but at least the ID Polo is on its way, and in the form of the ID Cross, that model will soon have a crossover alternative alongside it.
We can safely call this an important expansion, although it doesn’t come as a surprise. The Volkswagen ID Polo is almost ready for production, and at the IAA in Munich, we saw a very concrete preview of the ID Cross. At least, we assume for now that ID Cross will actually be the name of the production model. ID Polo Cross or ID T-Cross is also a possibility. Volkswagen itself says it wants to use “legendary names” for EVs as much as possible, in which case Polo Cross might be even more logical.
Volkswagen, of course, designs the newcomer according to their latest design handbook. This means the ID Cross – as we’ll call it for now – gets very thin lighting at both the front and rear, which runs across the entire width and is interrupted halfway by an illuminated logo. We already know this from existing ID models, for example, but with the ID Cross (and the ID Polo), the body becomes clearly sharper in shape. Volkswagen leaves the flowing lines of, for example, the ID.4 and ID.7 behind and opts for more conventional proportions for the upcoming EVs. The ID Cross already benefits from this. Despite a somewhat more conservative approach to the overall shape, there are also playful elements. For instance, the ID Cross gets striking elements in the C-pillar, giving it almost a touch of Citroën.
Spacious and Tidy
Looking at the concept version, we can already say with some certainty that the Volkswagen ID Cross will be about 4.16 meters long and just under 1.60 meters high. In addition, you can cautiously expect 450 liters of luggage space. That is quite spacious for this segment, and there is also a 25-liter frunk in the front. Speaking of the interior: Volkswagen is again going for the minimalist approach we are used to from their EVs. Expect an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13-inch central infotainment screen. Good news for button lovers: the study model already had a row of physical buttons in the dashboard, so those will definitely be there. Furthermore, the steering wheel has physical buttons instead of the touch-sensitive ones we were used to from Volkswagen for years.
Good Towing Capacity
The Volkswagen ID Cross will share much technology with the ID Polo and is based on a variant of the MEB platform. In the study model, there was a 211 hp electric motor driving the front wheels, but milder power sources will undoubtedly also be available. Moreover, just like with the Polo, there will be a stronger GTI version. We are already betting on a range of 400 km, although it remains to be seen which batteries will be available. Not unimportant for many crossover drivers: you can tow quite a bit with the ID Cross. The towing capacity is as much as 1,200 kilograms, with a maximum ball load of 75 kilograms. We expect the Volkswagen ID Cross to hit the market in 2027.