Volkswagen reveals ID. CROSS Concept - a preview of an affordable electric SUV

Volkswagen's electric future looks compact, green, and surprisingly practical. The latest creation to emerge from the German automaker is the ID. CROSS Concept, a small electric SUV that's a clear preview of a production model arriving in the summer of 2026, joining a family of new, smaller electric cars from the brand.

The ID. CROSS is part of a larger strategy for Volkswagen and its partner brands, including Seat, Cupra, and Skoda. The goal is to use shared engineering and large-scale production to build electric cars that more people can afford. This concept, along with others like the upcoming ID. Polo, is a deliberate effort to bring EV technology to the masses, starting with the popular small vehicle segment. Shame it took VW a while to remember its roots, but better late than never.

Designers at Volkswagen have given their new styling direction a name: "Pure Positive." Andreas Mindt, the head of design, says the philosophy rests on three pillars: stability, likeability, and a "secret sauce." The ID. CROSS, painted in a color called Urban Jungle green, embodies this with clean lines and strong, simple surfaces.

The front and rear ends feature distinct 3D light signatures that are designed to look like the car is smiling. The "secret sauce" comes from incorporating subtle design cues from Volkswagen's most famous models. For example, the shape of the C-pillars and the straight line of the windows are meant to evoke the classic Golf and the iconic VW Bus, linking the brand's past to its electric future.

The ID. CROSS Concept is a small SUV measuring 163.8 inches long, 72.4 inches wide, and 62.5 inches tall. These dimensions are very close to the company's current gasoline-powered T-Cross, making it perfect for navigating tight city streets.

The concept car sits on large 21-inch alloy wheels, named "Balboa," which are wrapped in specially designed Goodyear tires that extend the rim's pattern onto the sidewall. Despite its compact footprint, the interior packaging is efficient, offering a generous 15.9 ft³ of cargo space in the trunk. For extra storage, a 0.88 ft³ compartment is hidden under the front hood.

Inside, the ID. CROSS delivers what designers call a "feel-good oasis." The cabin, finished in a warm beige shade called Vanilla Chai, uses high-quality, fabric-covered surfaces to create a comfortable, lounge-like atmosphere.

Drivers can select pre-configured "Atmospheres" that adjust the interior lighting, sound, and climate control to create a specific mood. In a unique touch, the concept features plant motifs on its screens and even includes real plants in the center console. The seats can be folded down completely to create a flat reclining area for relaxing.

Volkswagen also focused on making the technology easy to use. The cockpit blends large digital screens with physical buttons for essential functions, avoiding the frustration of digging through menus for simple tasks. A newly designed multifunction steering wheel features clear, simple button controls.

The driver looks at an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, while a larger 13-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system sits in the center of the dash. Both displays are placed on the same level to make them easy to see at a glance.

Underpinning the ID. CROSS Concept is Volkswagen's well-established MEB platform for electric cars. The company plans to continuously update this architecture, with an upcoming version called MEB+ promising improved software, batteries, and motors.

The concept comes with a single electric motor on the front axle, delivering 155 kW (211 PS). This front-wheel-drive setup is expected to deliver a WLTP range of up to 261 miles on a single charge. For buyers with active lifestyles in mind, the ID. CROSS is designed with a tow hitch that can handle a 165 lb load and can pull a trailer weighing up to 2,646 lb.

Essentially, what we are looking at here is a concept vehicle that's surprisingly close to a production version. Whether it'll be called ID. CROSS or not, when it reaches showrooms next summer, it'll be a handsome small SUV.

It won't be cheap, but it'll be more affordable than anything Volkswagen has on offer at the moment. The 261 miles promised range will be closer to 217 miles in real life, and when towing anything larger than a shopping cart, it'll probably drop by half - but it'll still be a good-looking electric SUV that a lot of people will want to buy. Good job, VW.

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