ID CROSS at IAA 2025 Explained: New Compact Electric SUV on MEB Plus

Volkswagen used IAA Mobility in Munich to show a compact sport utility vehicle concept that is aimed directly at making electric mobility more attainable. The ID. CROSS Concept is a near production preview of a small, city friendly electric sport utility vehicle that is also confident enough for longer trips. It leans into a new “Pure Positive” design language with clean lines, friendly lighting graphics, and a cheerful stance in a shade called Urban Jungle. It feels like a Volkswagen you already know, just nudged into the future with a smile.

The footprint is easy to live with. Length is 4,161 millimetres, width is 1,839 millimetres, and height is 1,588 millimetres, riding on a 2,601 millimetre wheelbase. Designers gave the show car bold 21 inch “Balboa” wheels wrapped in 235/40 R21 tyres developed with Goodyear. The size is similar to today’s T Cross, which means you can slip into tight spaces, but the packaging is pure electric cleverness. You get seating for five and a roomy 450 litre cargo area, plus a 25 litre front compartment for cables or small gear. A drawbar load of 75 kilograms means a bike rack with two electric bicycles is no problem, and the compact sport utility vehicle can tow up to 1,200 kilograms when braked on an eight percent gradient.

Open the door and it feels more like a lounge than a lab. The cabin is finished in a warm Vanilla Chai tone with fabric wrapped surfaces and plant motifs on the screens. There are even real plants integrated into a floating centre console. Pre set “Atmospheres” blend light, sound, and climate to set the mood, and the specially designed seats fold flat to create a reclining area that nods to classic Volkswagen bus camping vibes. Up front, the interface is simple and calm: an 11 inch driver display lines up with a 13 inch central touch display, natural voice control handles common tasks, and the new multi function steering wheel uses clear, physical buttons.

Under the friendly look is the next step of Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix, called MEB Plus, here in a front wheel drive layout. The concept’s electric motor delivers 155 kilowatts, which equals 211 metric horsepower, for brisk everyday performance. Forecast Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure range is up to 420 kilometres, and top speed is 175 kilometres per hour. Volkswagen says the updated software and assistance systems coming with MEB Plus will filter down features usually reserved for higher classes, including the latest Travel Assist updates, which is exactly the kind of democratization buyers in this segment will appreciate.

There is also a clear plan around timing and positioning. The production versions of Volkswagen’s new entry level electric family begin arriving from 2026, with the ID. Polo scheduled to debut in the first half of the year and the ID. Polo GTI following after. The final ID. CROSS production model is due for a world premiere in the summer of 2026, and the production version of the ID. EVERY1 is slated to be a 2027 highlight. The bigger picture is a multi brand push inside the Group to scale affordable electric vehicles for Europe through shared architectures and economies of scale.

If this concept is any indication, Volkswagen has found a way to mix likeability, practicality, and genuine warmth with the right bits of tech. It looks friendly, it feels easy, and it reads as a car built for real life rather than just the show stand. If you enjoy this kind of detailed first look and want more honest coverage of new vehicles, do not forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you do not miss the next one.