2026 ID Polo Electric First Drive Review
The Volkswagen Polo has always been one of the most important small cars for the brand. Now, Volkswagen is preparing for the next big shift with the all-new Volkswagen ID.Polo, the fully electric version of the Polo. This car is not just important for Volkswagen, but also for the future of small electric cars and the German automotive industry.
Volkswagen wants to prove something with this car. They want to show that they have listened to customers and that they are going back to core Volkswagen values. The ID.Polo is positioned as a direct competitor to the Renault R5, while offering the familiar size of a combustion Polo with a driving feel closer to a Volkswagen Golf.
Volkswagen ID.Polo Naming and Positioning
Initially, Volkswagen considered calling this car ID.2, but they decided to return to a familiar and trusted name. The car will officially be known as the Volkswagen ID.Polo.
Key positioning points:
Electric successor to the Polo
Competes directly with Renault R5
Focus on fun-to-drive character
Designed to feel like a proper Volkswagen, not just an EV
The ID.Polo will also have siblings:
Cupra Raval, its sportier brother
Volkswagen ID.Cross, a compact electric SUV
Skoda Epiq, built on the same platform
Exterior Design and Dimensions
The prototype is still camouflaged, but several details are already clear.
Dimensions and Wheels
Length: 4,050 mm (around 160 inches)
Classic Polo proportions
Wide wheelbase for a small car
Wheel sizes range from 17-inch to 19-inch
Design Highlights
Short front hood
Traditional hatchback proportions
Move away from typical futuristic ID design
More like a combustion engine car in appearance
Illuminated Volkswagen logo at the front
Optional Matrix LED headlamps
Classic exterior door handles for safety and simplicity
Always a five-door model
Always front-wheel drive
Rear Design
Squircle-style LED tail lamps
Illuminated Volkswagen logo in red
Torsion beam rear axle
The torsion beam setup is less sophisticated than a multi-link suspension, but it allows much better interior and boot space, which becomes very important in a small electric car.
Platform, Suspension and Powertrain Options
Suspension Setup
Fixed suspension as standard
Sport suspension expected with R-Line variants
Optional DCC adaptive suspension
DCC expected to be exclusive to the GTI version
Power Output Options
Entry level: 116 hp
Mid variants: up to 211 hp
GTI version: up to 226 hp
The test car driven here produces 211 horsepower, making it one of the strongest non-GTI versions.
Battery Options, Range and Charging
Volkswagen is offering two battery choices.
Battery Specifications
37 kWh (net) LFP battery
52 kWh (net) NMC battery
Most buyers are expected to choose the larger battery.
Driving Range
Claimed WLTP range: up to 450 km
Realistic mixed driving range:
Around 280 km
Approximately 180 miles
Charging Details
Charging port located on the front passenger side
AC charging: 11 kW
DC fast charging (big battery): 130 kW
Charging time (10 to 80 percent): 23 minutes
No Frunk and the Reason Behind It
There is no front trunk in the ID.Polo.
Reasons:
Compact size of the car
Space used for essential components
AC compressor placed in a dampened housing
Extra insulation for reduced vibration and noise
Interestingly, the ID.Cross SUV version will offer a frunk on the same platform.
What Happens to the Combustion Engine Polo
The petrol Polo will continue to be sold alongside the electric version for now.
However:
No further major investment planned
No new generation combustion Polo expected
Electric platform is the future focus
Petrol Polo will stay as long as customer demand exists
Interior Design and Technology
Key Interior Highlights
Flat-top and flat-bottom steering wheel
Physical buttons on the steering wheel
Physical climate control dials
Large central touchscreen
Gear selector similar to ID.7
Focus on usability while driving
Volkswagen is clearly moving back to physical controls, addressing customer complaints about fully touchscreen-based interiors.
Seating and Comfort
Comfortable seating position even for tall drivers
Panoramic roof available with electric shade
Fixed roof option also offered
Reduced cabin noise thanks to insulation
Rear Seat Space and Practicality
Five-seat layout
Flat floor in the rear
Limited knee room for tall adults
Acceptable headroom despite glass roof
Two USB-C charging ports for rear passengers
The rear seat is usable, but this is still a compact four-meter car.
Boot Space and Practicality
One of the most impressive aspects of the ID.Polo is its boot.
Boot Capacity
435 litres
Extremely deep storage area
Large underfloor compartment
Practical Measurements
Width: 1,000 mm (40 inches)
Standard length: 650 mm (26 inches)
Seats folded length: 1,350 mm (53 inches)
Maximum height with lower compartment: 1,120 mm (44 inches)
Highlights:
Cabin trolley fits under the boot floor
Space for two large water boxes
Two-third, one-third split folding rear seats
Removable boot floor section
Driving Experience and First Drive Impressions
This is where the ID.Polo truly stands out.
Steering and Handling
Very tight turning circle
Light steering in Comfort mode
Heavier steering in Sport mode
No dead zone in steering response
Extremely precise control
Ride Comfort
Tested on 19-inch wheels
Surprisingly comfortable over bumps
Stable on gravel and broken roads
Sporty but not uncomfortable setup
Performance and Acceleration
Weight: around 1,600 kg
Low center of gravity
Instant EV throttle response
Very controlled acceleration out of corners
Neutral and stable chassis balance
The car feels agile, confidence-inspiring, and easy to drive fast. It almost feels like rally driving on tight roads due to its size and precision.
Braking and Recuperation Modes
Recuperation Options
D Auto mode
Adaptive recuperation
Coasts when no car ahead
Slows down automatically with traffic
B Mode
Strong recuperation
Near one-pedal driving experience
Option to deactivate adaptive recuperation
Braking feel remains consistent even though most deceleration comes from regeneration.
Top Speed and GTI Expectations
Top speed: 175 km/h (110 mph)
GTI version expected to be slightly faster
GTI to get an electronic front differential lock
Pricing and Market Positioning
Expected Prices
Small battery version: just under €25,000
52 kWh, 211 hp version: around €35,000
GTI version: around €38,000
Volkswagen expects most buyers to choose leasing options rather than outright purchase, making monthly affordability more important than sticker price.
Final Thoughts: Does the ID.Polo Set a New Benchmark?
The Volkswagen ID.Polo delivers something rare in the small EV segment.
Extremely fun to drive
Safe and predictable handling
Practical boot space
Physical controls return
Strong real-world performance
Despite being heavier than the combustion Polo, the low center of gravity and suspension tuning make it feel agile and engaging. In terms of driving enjoyment, this car genuinely sets a new benchmark for small electric vehicles.
For daily usage, city driving, and even spirited driving on winding roads, the ID.Polo feels special. Volkswagen’s claim of Golf-like driving behavior in a Polo-sized EV does not feel exaggerated after this first drive.
The full interior and final production design will be revealed later, and the competition with the Renault R5 and the upcoming ID.Cross SUV will be interesting to watch.
