Volkswagen Unveils Affordable ID. Cross EV Concept
▼ Summary
– Affordable electric vehicles are crucial for widespread EV adoption, but current entry-level options are insufficient.
– Volkswagen is addressing this gap with a new lineup of small and mid-sized EVs, including the ID. Cross concept.
– The ID. Cross features a friendlier design, improved MEB Plus platform, and practical specs like 260 miles of range and 208 horsepower.
– It includes user-friendly interior elements like physical buttons and fold-flat seats, addressing past criticisms of VW’s EVs.
– VW is focusing these affordable EVs on the European market due to uneven success elsewhere and competition from Chinese automakers.
The push for widespread electric vehicle adoption hinges on one critical factor: affordability. While premium EVs with extended range and luxury features have their place, the real transformation in sustainable transportation demands accessible, budget-friendly options. Volkswagen appears to be listening, introducing a new wave of compact electric models designed to capture the value-conscious segment of the market.
Following the debut of the ID.2all, now rebranded as the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI, and the ID.EVERY1, Volkswagen has unveiled a fourth concept: the ID. Cross. Set for a full reveal next year, this model draws inspiration from the earlier ID.Crozz concept but introduces a fresh, welcoming design language. Its front fascia features slim headlights and a curved lightbar that gives the impression of a friendly smile, signaling a shift toward more approachable electric mobility.
Built on Volkswagen’s advanced MEB Plus platform, the ID. Cross serves as an electric counterpart to the popular T-Cross. This next-generation architecture promises significant upgrades over the current MEB system, including improved batteries, motors, and software, a welcome enhancement for anyone familiar with the sometimes-frustrating user experience in existing VW EVs.
Power comes from a front-wheel drive motor producing 155 kW (208 horsepower), enabling a top speed of 175 km/h (108 mph). With a WLTP-estimated range of 420 km (260 miles), the ID. Cross is positioned as a practical urban and suburban runabout. It even includes a ball coupling capable of towing up to 75 kg (165 lbs), enough for a pair of e-bikes.
Notably, Volkswagen has emphasized European production and made no mention of U.S. availability, a disappointment for American shoppers eager for more affordable and engaging electric options. The ID. Cross measures 4,161 mm long, 1,839 mm wide, and 1,588 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,601 mm. It rides on custom 21-inch alloy wheels and makes clever use of its compact dimensions.
Inside, the cabin offers seating for five and a generous 450 liters of storage, plus an additional 25 liters in the frunk, a notable inclusion given the lack of front storage in current VW EVs. The interior uses fabric-covered surfaces that extend from the dashboard to the seats, promoting a cohesive and tactile environment. In a nod to user feedback, the steering wheel now features physical buttons for driver assistance functions, addressing earlier criticism over the brand’s overreliance on touch controls.
The front seats fold completely flat, aligning with the rear bench to create a continuous surface ideal for camping or cargo. Volkswagen plans to reveal the production version of the ID. Cross in the summer of 2025, following the launches of the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI. The ID.EVERY1, still awaiting its final name, is slated for 2027.
This new family of likable, cost-effective electric vehicles represents a strategic effort by Volkswagen to strengthen its position amid intense competition, particularly from Chinese automakers dominating the lower end of the market. While the brand’s European EV sales have been encouraging, its global performance has lagged behind rivals like BMW, Hyundai, and Kia. For now, the company is focusing its affordable EV efforts squarely on its home continent.
(Source: The Verge)
