Volkswagen ID. Polo: This Is It

Volkswagen has unveiled the production version of the ID. Polo electric hatchback.
The subcompact EV’s biggest battery pack has just 52 kWh, but the maximum WLTP range is 282 miles.
The Renault 5 competitor goes on sale this month with a €24,995 ($29,300) starting price.

It’s finally here. The production version of the Volkswagen ID. Polo subcompact electric hatchback has been unveiled by the German automaker, signaling the start of its ambitious push in the European affordable EV market.

With looks that are almost identical to the ID. 2all concept from 2023, the ID. Polo is one of the most important new cars in Europe, where the urban hatchback segment is still going strong. With a starting price of €24,995 ($29,300), VW’s smallest new EV will go head-to-head with cars like the Renault 5, Kia EV3, Hyundai Inster, and BYD Dolphin Surf.

Photo by: Volkswagen

Make no mistake about it: this is not a long-distance cruiser. With similar dimensions to America’s Chevrolet Bolt, and a maximum range of 282 miles (455 kilometers) with the largest-capacity battery, the ID. Polo is an urban car first and foremost.

Available exclusively with four doors, five seats, and front-wheel drive, VW’s new entry-level EV comes standard with vehicle-to-load (V2L), DC fast charging, LED headlights, automatic air conditioning, and a redesigned interior that comes with a pair of screens and plenty of physical buttons. Gone are the infuriating two-stage capacitive buttons that owners and journalists alike hated on the ID.4. They were replaced with a set of traditional buttons for all four electric windows.

The top-spec Style trim gets LED matrix headlights with an illuminated LED strip, 3D LED taillights, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, and a digital key, which enables owners to use their smartphones instead of a physical key.

Optional equipment includes a high-end Harman Kardon sound system, a large panoramic glass roof, and massaging front seats—a first in the segment, according to Volkswagen.

A newly designed electric drive unit dubbed the APP290 powers the ID. Polo. At launch, three power outputs and two battery capacities will be available. The entry-level model comes with a 37-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and a 114-horsepower (85 kW) electric motor. A more powerful, 133 hp (99 kW) motor can be had with the same LFP battery for extra cash.

Photo by: Volkswagen

A larger, 52 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) is fitted to the upper trims, together with a 208 hp (155 kW) electric motor. A hotter ID. Polo GTI with 222 hp (166 kW) will join the range next year, powered by the same 52 kWh NMC battery as its lower-trim siblings.

The base 37 kWh battery pack can be fast-charged at up to 90 kW for a 10-to-80% top up in around 27 minutes. According to Volkswagen, an ID. Polo with this battery can cover up to 204 miles (329 km) on a full charge. Meanwhile, the larger NMC pack can accept up to 105 kW, leading to a shorter 10-to-80% charge in around 24 minutes. Both versions get 11 kW AC charging as standard, and the battery packs are assembled using the cell-to-pack (CTP) method, which eliminates traditional battery modules in pursuit of lightness.

Speaking of lightness, the ID. Polo’s minimum weight ranges between 3,457 pounds (1,568 kilograms) and 3,474 pounds (1,576 kilograms). Size-wise, the subcompact EV is 159.5 inches (4,053 millimeters) long, 71.5 inches (1,816 mm) wide, and 60.2 inches (1,530 mm) tall. The wheelbase comes in at 102.3 in (2,600 mm).

The trunk has a 441-liter capacity with the rear seatbacks in their upright positions, and can accommodate up to 1,249 liters with the rear seats folded. An optional tow hook is also available, with a maximum capacity of 2,645 lbs (1,200 kg).

Volkswagen will open the order books for the ID. Polo in Europe at the end of April.