2026 Volkswagen ID. Polo revealed, priced below Renault 5 E-Tech in Germany

The launch of the Volkswagen ID. Polo has entered its final chukka, with the electric city car unveiled in full overnight.

It will be sold alongside the petrol-powered Polo in Europe and other markets. The two cars share little apart from their names as they ride on separate platforms, and have unique styling inside and out.

The ID. Polo is the first car to be designed under the aegis of Andreas Mindt using his Pure Positive design language. The automaker is especially proud of its friendly face, as well as the C-pillars inspired by the first-generation Golf.

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While this is our first look at the production car’s exterior, Volkswagen unveiled the ID. Polo’s interior at the beginning of January. In response to criticism of its first generation of EVs, the ID. Polo’s cabin has physical switches for the windows, steering wheel, audio and climate control.

There’s also extensive use of fabric on the dashboard and door cards to impart a more upscale feel, and retro-looking digital dials and sound system controls are available.

Measuring 4053mm long, 1816mm wide, 1530mm tall, and riding on a 2600mm wheelbase, the ID. Polo is 27mm shorter, 65mm wider, 80mm taller and has a 36mm longer wheelbase than the petrol Polo.

Boot space is rated at 441 litres with the rear seats up, and 1240L when they’re folded down. That’s 90L more than the petrol Polo with the rear seats up, and 115L more when they’re down.

In Europe the ID. Polo will be available with a choice of three motors (85kW, 99kW and 155kW) driving the front wheels, and two battery options.

A 37kWh (net) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery is standard in 85kW and 99kW variants. This battery has a maximum WLTP range rating of 329km, presumably with the 85kW motor, and supports DC fast-charging at up to 90kW.

The 52kWh (net) nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery pack is standard on cars with the 155kW motor. The larger battery has a maximum WLTP range of 454km, and is capable of DC fast-charging at up to 130kW.

Although it wasn’t revealed today, the ID. Polo GTI will have a 166kW motor and use the 52kWh battery pack. As the ID. Polo is based on the MEB+ architecture, it supports vehicle-to-load functionality, allowing it to send up to 3.6kW to external electrical appliances.

On the Continent, the ID. Polo will be available in three trim levels: Trend, Life, and Style. The base Trend features LED headlights, a 10.0-inch digital instrument display, 13.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, climate control, faux leather-clad steering wheel, lane keeping assist, and 17-inch steel wheels.

For the mid-range Life, the ID. Polo gains 17-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, front parking sensors, front cross traffic alert, an electrochromatic mirror, electric folding wing mirrors with memory settings, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, wireless smartphone charging, and a height-adjustable boot floor.

In the range-topping Style models there’s 18-inch alloy wheels, LED matrix headlights, a light bar between the front headlights, illuminated badges at both ends, 3D LED tail-lights, sport comfort seats, ambient lighting, and more luxurious interior trim.

Options include a 425W 10-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, panoramic glass roof, 19-inch alloy wheels, and front seats with a massaging function, 12-way electric adjustment and three memory settings.

In Germany pricing for the ID. Polo kicks off at €24,995 (A$40,900), which undercuts the €28,000 (A$45,800) starting price of the similarly-sized entry-level 40kWh Renault 5 E-Tech. It is, however, €4860 (A$7900) pricier than the base petrol Polo.

Pre-sales of the ID. Polo have begun in its homeland, but only one model is available currently: the €33,795 (A$55,200) Life with a 155kW motor and 52kWh battery. Other models will come online around the middle of the year and Australian availability is yet to be confirmed.

MORE: Explore the Volkswagen Polo showroom