Volkswagen Previews ID Cross Concept at IAA Ahead of 2026 Launch

Volkswagen, the largest supplier of electric cars in Germany and Europe in 2025, will be presenting an electric compact SUV at IAA MOBILITY in Munich (September 8-14): the ID Cross Concept. It is just as suitable for the city as it is for long journeys.

Following the ID.2 all, the ID. GTI Concept (based on the ID.2 all) and the ID. Every1, the ID Cross Concept is the fourth small electric concept car. The production versions of these new Volkswagen models will be on the market from 2026.

The world premiere of the new ID. Polo (production version of the ID.2 all) – is set for the first half of 2026. The ID. Polo GTI will be presented shortly afterwards.

Both models will be on show at IAA MOBILITY, still slightly camouflaged. Two legendary Volkswagen designations – Polo and GTI – will thus enter the world of electric mobility.

The final ID Cross will have its world premiere in the mid- 2026. The production version of the ID. Every1, which will also be in Munich, though still in concept car form, will be a highlight of 2027.

ID. Polo GTI, ID. CROSS Concept and ID. Polo. Polo GTI near-production concept car.

The ID Cross Concept sports a new design language. Volkswagen Head of Design Andreas Mindt explains: “We call our new design language ‘Pure Positive’. It is based on our three design cornerstones of stability, likeability and secret sauce; it will characterise every new Volkswagen in the future. 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.”

The SUV concept car on show at the IAA Mobility is 4161 mm long with a 2601 mm wheelbase, 1839mm wide and 1588mm tall. This means that its size is similar to that of the current T-Cross.

An innovative package makes the interior of the five-seater ID Cross Concept very spacious with an above-average boot volume of 450 litres. An additional compartment (25 litres) under the bonnet provides additional space.  

According to Volkswagen, the interior is designed as a feel-good oasis with its outstanding material quality and feel, including fabric-covered surfaces. Pre-configured light, sound and climate modes (Atmospheres) transform the Vanilla Chai (a warm shade of beige) interior into a lounge that offers maximum comfort.

A further highlight is the specially designed seats in the concept car that can be folded down completely to create a reclining area in the style of a VW Bus.

The innovative cockpit landscape with its well-thought-out ergonomics and intuitive operation ensures focused attention while on the road. In the ID Cross Concept, Volkswagen has created a harmonious interaction between displays with intuitive menu structures, natural voice control and buttons for direct functions.

The multifunction steering wheel with clear button control has been completely redesigned. The two central displays are arranged on a visual axis: the digital instruments (28 cm/11 inches) and the central touch display of the Infotainment system (diameter: 33 cm/13 inches).

Uses new made-in-Europe drive system
The ID Cross Concept features a newly developed, state-of-the-art drive system. Two central modules are the electric drive motor including power electronics integrated in the front axle system and the high-voltage battery arranged flat in the sandwich floor.

The electric drive motor in the concept car develops an output of 155kW (211 hp) and powers the front wheels. The WLTP range forecast for the new ID Cross Concept is up to 420 kilometres.

Technically, the front-wheel drive ID Cross Concept is based on the MEB modular electric drive matrix, which will be continuously further developed in the future with improvements to the MEB+, among other things, in terms of engines, batteries and software.

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