Volkswagen has held the world premiere of the ID. Polo, the all-electric successor to one of its most successful nameplates. The compact EV launches in Germany with pre-sales opening today and an entry price of €24,995 (about $29,250). It carries forward a model name that has sold more than 20 million units across seven generations.
Highlights
- WLTP range of up to 454 km (282 miles) on the 52 kWh NMC battery; 329 km (204 miles) on the 37 kWh LFP variant
- Three power outputs at launch: 85 kW (116 PS), 99 kW (135 PS) and 155 kW (211 PS)
- Pre-sales start 29 April in Germany at €24,995 (about $29,250); Life trim with 155 kW motor priced at €33,795 (about $39,540)
- 25% larger luggage compartment than the combustion Polo, expanding from 351 to 441 litres
A New Chapter for a 20-Million-Seller
The ID. Polo arrives 50 years after the original Polo and represents Volkswagen’s first attempt to graft an established combustion-era nameplate onto its ID. electric family. Developed in Wolfsburg and built at SEAT/CUPRA’s Martorell plant in Spain, the model is a Brand Group Core collaboration designed to scale entry-level electric mobility across Volkswagen, SEAT, CUPRA and Škoda.
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand and Head of the Brand Group Core, said: “The ID. Polo brings a Volkswagen bestseller into the electric age. For decades, the Polo has been part of people’s everyday lives. With the ID. Polo, we are making electric mobility accessible to many more people: with clear and timeless design, intuitive operation, strong quality and technologies from higher segments. A genuine Volkswagen just like our customers expect from us.”
Powertrains and Charging
The ID. Polo introduces a new front-wheel-drive layout on the upgraded MEB+ platform. The 85 kW and 99 kW versions use a 37 kWh (net) lithium iron phosphate battery, charging from 10 to 80 percent in roughly 23 minutes at a DC fast-charging station. WLTP range tops out at 329 km (204 miles) for these variants.
The 155 kW (211 PS) flagship pairs an NMC battery with 52 kWh of usable capacity. It supports a 10–80 percent DC charge in about 24 minutes and a WLTP range of up to 454 km (282 miles). Vehicle-to-load capability is standard across the lineup, supplying up to 3.6 kW to external devices through an interior 230 V socket.
Packaging and Dimensions
At 4,053 mm long, 1,816 mm wide and 1,530 mm tall on a 2,600 mm wheelbase, the ID. Polo is broadly comparable in footprint to the combustion Polo. The MEB+ architecture frees up additional interior volume, and the luggage compartment grows 25 percent to 441 litres (1,240 litres with the rear seats folded). Volkswagen positions the five-seater as a city car capable of family-duty road trips.
Cockpit and Driver Assistance
The ID. Polo is the first production model to adopt Chief Designer Andreas Mindt’s “Pure Positive” design language. Inside, a 26 cm (10-inch) Digital Cockpit sits ahead of the driver and a 33 cm (13-inch) Innovision touchscreen anchors the centre console. Volkswagen has reintroduced physical controls for primary functions, addressing widespread customer feedback on earlier ID. interiors. Detail covered earlier in the ID. Polo cockpit preview is now confirmed in series form.
Driver assistance includes the next generation of Travel Assist, optional with traffic-light recognition — a segment first, according to Volkswagen. One-pedal driving comes as standard.
Pricing and Trim Strategy
Three trims will be offered in Germany: Trend, Life and Style. Pre-sales open with the ID. Polo Life paired to the 155 kW drivetrain and 52 kWh battery at €33,795 (about $39,540). The €24,995 base version and additional drivetrain and equipment combinations are scheduled to follow in summer 2026. UK pricing has not yet been confirmed.
Erwin Gabardi, Head of Product Management and Strategy of the Volkswagen brand and Brand Group Core, said: “We have made the most of our multi-brand collaboration and the models show that scaling and high synergies do not mean compromise, but affordable electric mobility and the democratization of features from higher segments.”
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