VW’s All-Electric ID. Cross Concept Takes Cues from High-End Furniture and Parisian Fashion

Volkswagen arrived at the 2025 IAA Mobility show in Munich with three electric vehicles, each trying to carve out a piece of the EV pie. Among them, the ID. Cross Concept is the most interesting, a near-production preview of a subcompact SUV that will hit showrooms in 2026.

Built on a new front-wheel-drive version of VW’s MEB platform, the ID. Cross shares its underpinnings with the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI, which were also in Munich. It’s 163.8 inches long, slightly longer and taller than the hatchback and has a 102.4-inch wheelbase to maximize interior space. That added height and length means 17.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the back and 0.9 cubic feet of trunk space—a first for the ID lineup. That puts it in competition with cars like the Kia EV2, Toyota Urban Cruiser and Volvo EX30 but VW wants to stand out with a design that’s both familiar and forward-looking.

The ID. Cross interior is inspired by high-end furniture and Parisian flair, with a beige “Vanilla Chai” color scheme that adds warmth to the cabin. Soft, fabric-covered surfaces and ambient lighting create a relaxing atmosphere, the seats made of a yoga mat-like material fold flat for spontaneous naps or camping trips. A big, square steering wheel sits in front of an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and 13-inch center screen. After years of criticism for too many digital controls, VW cleverly added tactile buttons beneath the screen and a rotary controller on the console so you can adjust settings without navigating menus. When you put your phone down on the wireless charging pad the displays go into “quiet mode” and only show the essentials—a nice touch for people who need a break from information overload.

Power comes from a single front-mounted motor making 208 horsepower, slightly less than the 223 horsepower of the ID. Polo GTI. VW hasn’t released details on battery options but the ID. Cross promises 261 miles of range under the WLTP standard which should be around 200-220 miles in real world conditions.

Priced around £25,000 (around $33,000) when it goes on sale in late 2026, the ID. Cross is trying to deliver premium for the price. It’s a response to the growing demand for affordable electric SUVs that don’t compromise on style or functionality. US availability is unconfirmed but with the potential to take on the Ford Puma Gen-E it’s a car worth keeping an eye on. Volkswagen’s CEO Thomas Schäfer calls it “the best version of the Volkswagen brand ever” and the ID. Cross Concept certainly lives up to that claim.