Volkswagen ID. Cross is the ID.4’s Little Brother We’d Like to Have
Volkswagen’s electrification plans are vastly different from one continent to another. While the German automaker is stepping on the accelerator in Europe in the face of growing competition from Chinese rivals, its North American lineup still includes just two models: the trouble-prone ID.4 compact SUV and the highly expensive ID. Buzz minivan.
As mentioned in a previous report, the ID.7 midsize sedan will not be coming to our shores after all. So, what’s the next electric vehicle that Volkswagen has in store for us? We’re not sure even the company knows. Here’s a thought: why not the ID. Cross?
- Also: Volkswagen Cuts ID.4 Production at U.S. Plant, Waning EV Demand to Blame
- Also: Recalls Piling Up for Volkswagen ID.4, Audi Q4 e-tron, Sales Put on Halt
Introduced today at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich as a near-production concept, this vehicle is described as the little brother of the ID.4, and it should land on European roads in the second half of 2026. Frankly, we’d like to have it here as an alternative to the Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia EV3/EV5, Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet Bolt, Toyota C-HR, Subaru Uncharted and other small electric hatchbacks and crossovers.
Sure, we're talking about an EV that's barely 4,161 mm long and has a trunk capacity of just 450 litres (not including the 25 litres of storage under the front hood), but this one has quite a friendly face and its long wheelbase combined with a very generous width of 1,839 mm results in a surprisingly spacious cabin for five people. The oversized 21-inch wheels are obviously just for the concept, however.
Speaking of the cabin, the ambiance is that of a lounge or, as Volkswagen puts it, a "feel-good oasis." Consider the plant motifs on the screens and the real plants within the floating centre console. Many surfaces are covered in a thick Vanilla Chai (beige) fabric that takes us back to the 1980s. Also, the seats fold completely flat to create a reclining area in the style of a VW Bus.
Meanwhile, the 11-inch digital instrument cluster and 13-inch touchscreen are accompanied by new physical buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard, seemingly addressing one of the main complaints about models like the ID.4.
Now, what about motivation? The Volkswagen ID. Cross is based on an evolution of the MEB platform, with a more advanced software suite, but is limited to a front-wheel drive configuration. The single motor generates 208 horsepower, and the battery that feeds it provides an estimated range of 420 km according to the WLTP standard which, as it bears repeating, is more optimistic than that of the EPA or Natural Resources Canada. That would certainly prove to be a problem with regard to a potential launch in North America.
In Munich, Volkswagen also gave a sneak peek at the upcoming ID. Polo, ID. Polo GTI and ID. Every1, small and affordably priced electric cars that will be sold starting in 2026 and 2027—alas not on this side of the Atlantic.
