Volkswagen has announced an entry price of around €28,000 for the ID. Cross, which will launch in the European market starting in autumn 2026. Unlike the ID. Polo, however, it will initially not be available with the most powerful ‘GTI’ performance level.
After journalists were allowed to test-drive camouflaged prototypes of the ID. Polo during a ‘Covered Drive’ event in December, a similar event for the SUV derivative, the ID. Cross, recently took place near Amsterdam. Just as with the ID. Polo, Volkswagen used the ‘Covered Drive’ for the ID. Cross to reveal some more details about the new model.
The most important news was the starting price. While the ID. Polo will start at “around €25,000” in its base configuration, Volkswagen has now provided its first concrete statement about the price of the ID. Cross: the model will be available from an entry-level price of “around €28,000”, making it €3,000 more expensive than its more compact brother.
The exact equipment details available at this price are not yet known. Volkswagen is clearly holding back some information for the world premiere. For now, the company has only stated: “With its combination of compact dimensions, modern technologies and assist systems, high workmanship quality, plenty of space and an entry-level price of around 28,000 euros, the new ID. Cross offers an attractive price-performance ratio.”
Three power outputs, two batteries
The situation is clearer regarding the drivetrain of the ID. Cross in its base configuration. As in the ID. Polo, Volkswagen will offer power outputs of 85 kW, 99 kW, and 155 kW, combined with two battery sizes: 37 kWh and 52 kWh (net).
The €28,000 model will feature the 37 kWh battery paired with the 85 kW motor. As standard, this LFP battery (lithium-iron-phosphate) supports charging at up to 90 kW, meaning a charging session from 10 to 80 percent will take around 27 minutes, just like in the ID. Polo.
AC charging is possible at 11 kW, taking just under four hours. However, Volkswagen has not yet disclosed the preliminary range. Given that the more streamlined ID. Polo is quoted at up to 300 kilometers of range, the ID. Cross, with its slightly higher air resistance, is likely to fall just short of the 300-kilometer mark.
While the 99 kW powertrain is also paired with the 37 kWh battery and offers the same charging capability but slightly better performance, the 155 kW powertrain is the only option for accessing the larger 52 kWh NMC (Nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery, at least at launch. The range should be around 420 km here; fast charging can be done at up to 105 kW.
Volkswagen makes no mention of the 166 kW variant of the ID. Polo GTI for the ID. Cross. Either the sporty top model will be introduced later, or it may not be offered for this family-oriented SUV at all.
Electric counterpart of T-Cross
While the compact ID. Polo is designed to appeal on an emotional level, the ID. Cross is positioned as the practical counterpart to the recently renewed T-Cross, targeting customer groups “who want to use first-class, everyday, and affordable electromobility”.
With a trunk capacity of 475 liters, the 4.15-meter-long ID. Cross even surpasses the Golf with ease. Additionally, despite its front-wheel drive, there will be a 22-litre frunk under the hood, providing space for items such as the charging cable.
With its target group in mind, the ID. Cross avoids design experiments under its camouflage. Volkswagen’s new ‘Pure Positive’ design language focuses on “clear lines, balanced proportions, and a high-quality appearance.”
Inside, Volkswagen has taken feedback from early MEB models to heart: materials and workmanship are now aligned with higher vehicle classes. The touch-sensitive areas on the steering wheel and touch sliders have been removed, and “intuitive functions and buttons as well as large-format displays round off the high-quality overall impression,” Volkswagen promises.
