Volkswagen ID Cross Concept previews new affordable SUV

Volkswagen has given a clear indication of its future EV plans with the ID Cross Concept, a compact electric companion to the T-Cross.

Revealed at the Munich Motor Show alongside the ID Polo and ID Polo GTI, the Volkswagen ID Cross Concept previews an all-electric small SUV and is part of Volkswagen’s “entry-level campaign” to launch more affordable EVs.

Due to arrive in production form in 2026, the ID Cross will sit between the Polo and the ID.3, with an expected starting price of around £25,000.

The ID Cross is part of the Volkswagen Group’s Electric Urban Car Family (EUCF) and is closely related to the Skoda Epiq, also revealed at the Munich show. Like the Skoda, the Volkswagen ID Cross will be built in Spain.

Also, like the Skoda, the ID Cross is a 4.1m crossover designed – VW says – to fit into urban life while offering space and range to cope with longer family trips. VW claims the ID Cross offers room for five passengers, a 450-litre boot and a 25-litre frunk.

VW’s head of design, Andreas Mindt, said that the boxy ID Cross has a “clean and likeable” look that would characterise every future VW. He said: “The lines and powerful surfaces on the ID. Cross Concept are pure and clear. They shape an SUV that is a trend setter not a trend follower and one that transfers the brand’s identity into the future.

“A Volkswagen must be likeable, unmistakable and inspire with its character. That’s why we deliberately evoke Volkswagen icons such as the Golf and the VW bus.” Among the most obvious evocations are the C-pillar stripes borrowed from the ID Buzz and inspired by the air intakes of the original Type 2.

Inside, the ID Cross Concept makes extensive use of sustainable materials in areas such as the fabric seats and dashboard. Described as an “oasis” it features a simple, open design with VW’s familiar 13-inch central touchscreen supported by – praise be! – a range of physical buttons beneath it and on the steering wheel. A selection of pre-configured “atmospheres” adjust light, sound and climate to create different moods. The concept also features real plants in the opaque centre console, which won’t make it to production, and fully reclining seats that create a bed, which might.

Like the rest of the EUCF, the ID Cross uses the MEB Small architecture. That means a front-mounted 208bhp motor drawing energy from 36kWh or 58kWh batteries. VW says that gives the ID Cross a range of 261 miles on a charge.