The name “Volkswagen“ comes from the combination of the German words “volk” and “wagen,” meaning “people’s car.” Since crossovers and SUVs are all the rage these days, it makes perfect sense for VW to develop a cheaper high-riding model to cater to the masses. For now, it’s only a sketch, but the upcoming EV will be unveiled on Sunday, December 7, ahead of its first public appearance at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich next week.
While it doesn’t yet have a name, we already know what we’re dealing with: essentially a crossover version of the ID.2all concept, a subcompact five-door hatchback revealed in 2023. Since then, the B-segment model has even spawned a sporty GTI variant, although that, too, was only a concept.
Photo by: Volkswagen
VW is determined to bring the ID.2 to market as a €25,000 electric car, undercutting the larger ID.3, which starts at well over €30,000 in Germany. The crossover version will likely carry a premium, but it should still remain well below the €40,000+ starting price of the ID.4. The ID.2 Cross, or whatever the concept ends up being called, previews one of the first VW Group EVs to use a front-wheel-drive version of the MEB platform. Larger, pricier models have rear-wheel drive, with support for a dual-motor AWD setup.
The design checks all the boxes of a 2025 concept car, with oversized wheels and light bars front and rear. Even the VW badge at the back lights up, which isn’t surprising given that some production models already illuminate the “V” and “W.” Door handles are missing, but that’s typical of sketches aiming for smoother surfaces. Expect the production version to have them.
The new ID. concept looks reasonably boxy, even more so than the ID.4. Although the sketch shows body-colored wheel arches, the production car will likely adopt black plastic cladding to emphasize its rugged character. A contrasting rear pillar with three slots also helps set the crossover apart from the standard hatchback.
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How big will it be? Probably just a bit larger than the ID.2all, which measured 4050 millimeters (159.4 inches) long, 1812 mm (71.3 in) wide, and 1530 mm (60.2 in) high, with a wheelbase of 2600 mm (102.3 in). Expect a footprint similar to the T-Cross, but with a roomier interior thanks to the dedicated EV platform.
As for power, the ID.2all was designed with a front-mounted motor producing 222 hp, good for a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time under seven seconds and a top speed of 99 mph (160 km/h). The ID. GTI likely packed more power, though VW never disclosed its output, only noting the hot hatch featured a front-axle differential lock.
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With this new concept leaning toward the SUV side, the question is whether the platform could one day support all-wheel drive. That said, it might not be necessary for smaller models, as demand would likely be low. It’s also worth noting that the ID.2 and its spinoffs won’t remain the entry point to VW’s EV lineup for long. In 2026, the ID.1, priced at €20,000 in Germany, will take over the role once filled by the e-up! A concept has already been shown ahead of next year’s production launch.
Even before Volkswagen floods the market with cheap EVs, its electric car sales are booming. The VW Group’s zero-emission shipments blossomed by 47 percent in the first half of the year, reaching 465,500 cars.
