Peter Lyon
September 9, 2025
Volkswagen, the largest supplier of electric cars in Germany and Europe in 2025, has just unveiled a new electric compact SUV at IAA MOBILITY in Munich (8-14 September): the ID. CROSS Concept.
According to the brand, it is just as suitable for city use as it is for long journeys. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, Head of the Brand Group Core, and member of the Group Board of Management, said, “From the very beginning, our goal was to shape the best version of the Volkswagen brand of all time. The near-production concept car of the future ID. CROSS demonstrates that we are now truly delivering – with a new design, many technologies only seen in higher classes previously, improved operability and quality – and, at last, again the ‘right’ name. With this new Volkswagen generation, we are now delivering on our promises.”
Entry-level campaign – four new electric models. Following the ID.2 all, the ID. GTI Concept and the ID. EVERY1, the ID. CROSS Concept is the fourth smallest electric concept car. The production versions of these new Volkswagen models will be on the market from 2026 with the world premiere of the new ID. Polo set for the first half of 2026 and the ID. Polo GTI to be presented soon afterwards. Both models will be on show at IAA MOBILITY, still wearing camouflage. So what that means is that two legendary Volkswagen designations – Polo and GTI – will thus enter the world of electric mobility while the final ID. CROSS will have its world premiere in the summer of 2026.
Pure and positive – iconic and likeable. The ID. CROSS Concept, in Urban Jungle green, reflects a new, clear and likable 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, likability and secret sauce and we expect it to characterise every new Volkswagen in the future. We rely on a pure and powerful clarity, along with visual stability and a positive, likable vehicle personality.”
The ID. CROSS Concept’s positive personality is immediately recognisable in areas such as the front and rear. With their graphics and 3D light signature, they give the impression that the car is ‘smiling’. Andreas Mindt adds: “A Volkswagen must be likable, unmistakable and inspire with its character. That’s why we deliberately evoke Volkswagen icons such as the Golf and the VW bus in the ID. CROSS Concept – on top, as a dash of ‘secret sauce’. This can be seen, for example, in the charismatic C-pillars and the completely straight window line. Few volume brands in the world can draw on such a strong heritage. And that will always be in in our toolkit on our journey into the future.”
Boasting dimensions measuring 4,161 mm in length, 1,839 in width, 1588 in height and with a 2,601 mm wheelbase, the ID. CROSS Concept is similar in size to that of the current T-Cross. This does not, however, apply to the wheel/tyre combination on the concept car: the designers have developed a 21-inch alloy wheel specifically for the ID. CROSS Concept called Balboa. In cooperation with Goodyear, special 235/40 R21 tyres were designed for the show car, which continue the design of the rim in the tyre sidewall.
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 multi-function steering wheel with clear button control has been completely redesigned. The two central displays of the ID. CROSS Concept 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).
The ID. CROSS Concept employs 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 155 kW (211 PS) and powers the front wheels. The WLTP range forecast for the new ID. CROSS Concept is up to 420 kilometres (260 miles). Two other values are important for e-bike riders and fans of compact lifestyle camper vans: the ball coupling is designed for a drawbar load of 75 kg – enough to transport two e-bikes. The maximum trailer weight is up to 1,200 kg (braked, eight per cent gradient).
CARLIST THOUGHTS
VW seems to be monopolizing the Munich show with its multiple debuts, none more stunning than this ID. Cross. Employing an elegant exterior and state-of-the-art interior, plus range topping 260 miles, this new VW is sure to make a splash when it launches.
