Volkswagen ID. Cross Concept previews an affordable electric compact SUV

You could see this one coming, couldn’t you? Even so, its arrival may have been sooner than expected. Before that sounds overly philosophical, we should clarify: Volkswagen has given its new small EV the crossover treatment.

Just days after the production-bound ID. Polo was announced, the raised version has appeared, complete with a little extra black plastic body cladding. Called the ID. Cross Concept, it offers a preview of an “affordable electric compact SUV in the T-Cross class”.

Volkswagen ID. Cross Concept production plans

Volkswagen says the production model is due to go on sale in 2026, following the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI. It has been designed around VW’s new ‘Pure Positive’ styling language.

“It is based on our three design cornerstones of stability, likeability and secret sauce; it will characterise every new Volkswagen in the future,” said design boss Andreas Mindt about the new philosophy. Right.

“We rely on a pure and powerful clarity, along with visual stability and a positive, likeable vehicle personality. 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.”

Pure Positive styling and interior

Interpret that as you wish, but the eye-catching front and rear lighting is hard to miss, as is the ‘Urban Jungle’ green finish. There are also 21in (53cm) concept wheels and three marks on the C-pillar, echoing the look of the ID.Buzz. It is all rather funky, actually.

The cabin appears suitably appealing, too, with ‘Vanilla Chai‘ fabric trim - beige, in other words - and folding seats. There are proper buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard as well. The instrument display measures 11in (28cm), while the infotainment screen is 13in (33cm), and boot capacity is 450 litres.

Size, platform and electric range

Measuring 4.1m long and 1.8m wide, the ID. Cross Concept is broadly comparable in size with the current T-Cross. It uses MEB+, an updated version of the existing MEB platform incorporating new software, and has a front-mounted electric motor producing 208bhp. Its projected driving range is 261 miles (420km).

“The near-production concept car of the 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,” said VW boss Thomas Schäfer.

Surely the ‘right’ name should be ID. T-Cross, keeping Volkswagen’s T-based SUV naming convention intact?