Make small cars great again – or at least that seems to be Volkswagen’s MO in recent times. The latest of the long line of compact models is called the Volkswagen ID. Cross, and it’s debuting at the 2025 Munich auto show in a “near-production” concept form, before an official launch some time in the summer months of 2026.
According to the German brand, the ID. Cross is all about being “likeable” – starting with a familiar name it’s inherited from the T-Cross as part of its new EV naming scheme, to a new design language called “Pure Positive”, featuring a “smiling” face and “secret sauce” touches.
The entire press release reads like a Top Buzzwords Compilation, but it essentially boils down to a compact electric crossover coming in roughly in the same size as the existing Volkswagen T-Cross, just with a much wider overall width that not only emphasises on the crossover’s sporty stance, but should also mean more interior space for the occupants.
But what exactly is this “secret sauce” the brand keeps talking about? According to Volkswagen Head of Design, Andreas Mindt, they’re basically design touches inspired by their older icons, like the Golf and VW bus. This can be seen in the C-pillar trims, and the “completely straight window line”, the brand says.
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“Few volume brands in the world can draw on such a strong heritage. And that will always be in our toolkit on our journey into the future,” Mindt says.
As for actual design highlights, you’ll find 3D light signatures both front and back, rugged off-road-inspired bumpers, and unique 21-inch alloy wheels, with its design continuing onto the tyres’ sidewall, courtesy of the brand’s cooperation with Goodyear.
The whole buzzwords-galore continue for the ID. Cross’ interior, which the brand says is designed as a “feel-good oasis”. This does at least make a little more sense, though, with the Vanilla Chai-coloured fabric interior invoking a very homey and airy ambience.
The lounge-like interior is further emphasised by the plant motifs, including “real plants” underneath the see-through centre console, and on the screens on the dashboard – 13-inch for the infotainment touchscreen and 11-inch for the digital instrument cluster – which VW says are arranged on a “visual axis”.
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The seats can be folded completely flat to create a “reclining area in the style of a VW Bus”, but our favourite design feature of all are the real physical buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard. See, Volkswagen is actually listening.
It’ll also come with what Volkswagen says is an “above-average” boot space of 450 litres, and there’s also a 25-litre additional storage compartment underneath the bonnet for extra storage space.
The Volkswagen ID. Cross will be built on the upgraded MEB+ modular electric platform, with preliminary specifications consisting of a single electric motor on the front axle with 211 hp, capable of a top speed of 175 km/h. No battery capacity was stated, but the company claims that the eventual production ID. Cross will have a WLTP-rated range of 420 km.
Volkswagen mentions the word “affordable” in its press release multiple times – including right in the title itself – and if priced right, it could just become the most important EV model in the Volkswagen line-up to date. But will it have enough “secret sauce” to steal the thunder away from the cheap Chinese counterparts?
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