Hunting for an affordable electric SUV that doesn’t compromise on space? The Volkswagen ID.Cross might solve that puzzle when it arrives in mid-2026. Recent spy photos show prototypes nearly undisguised, revealing a production-ready design that closely mirrors the concept unveiled at September’s IAA Munich Motor Show. This compact crossover serves as the electric successor to VW’s popular T-Cross, filling a crucial gap in affordable EV options for urban families who need practicality without the premium price tag.
The timing couldn’t be better for budget-conscious buyers watching Tesla prices fluctuate like cryptocurrency while traditional automakers finally deliver on their EV promises.
Familiar Proportions, Fresh EV Styling
Upright stance and family-friendly dimensions carry over from the gas-powered original.
The ID.Cross maintains the T-Cross’s winning formula with dimensions that work for real life: 4,161mm long, 1,839mm wide, and 1,588mm tall. You get that commanding SUV stance with wide wheel arches and a distinctive “smiling” front featuring a 3D light bar. Design chief Andreas Mindt calls it VW’s “secret sauce” for blending classic cues with modern EV aesthetics.
Inside, the minimalist cabin offers 13-inch infotainment, an 11-inch driver display, and crucially for families, 450 liters of boot space plus a 25-liter frunk. Those rear seats fold completely flat when you need to haul furniture from IKEA.
Performance That Beats the Competition
Front-wheel drive delivers impressive range and real-world capability.
Under the hood sits a 155 kW (208-211 hp) front motor powered by an estimated 56 kWh battery pack, delivering 420 km of WLTP range—that’s 261 miles, beating rivals like the Ford Puma Gen-E. The MEB+ platform brings efficiency gains through improved cell-to-pack battery technology, while DC charging up to 125 kW means 10-80% top-ups in under 30 minutes.
For weekend adventures, you can tow up to 1,200 kg, making this genuinely useful for bike carriers or small trailers—something many affordable EVs sacrifice for efficiency numbers.
Affordable Entry Point Coming Soon
Pricing targets below €35,000 as VW pushes accessible electrification.
VW positions the ID.Cross below the ID.4’s €35,000 starting price, with the entry-level version targeting under $30,000 MSRP. That aggressive pricing reflects VW’s broader strategy to make EVs accessible beyond premium buyers, leveraging platform efficiencies and unified cell technology to cut costs without sacrificing capability.
The ID.Cross represents a mature approach to affordable electrification—practical, well-built, and sized for real-world needs rather than Instagram flex.
