New Volkswagen ID. Polo: interior images and latest details on 2026 EV supermini

Welcome to the interior of the all-new, allegedly era-defining Volkswagen ID. Polo, which has been unveiled as the brand continues to build anticipation for the electric supermini’s world debut this spring. 

Volkswagen has clearly listened to recent feedback from critics and customers alike because, for starters, the infuriating touch-sensitive sliding controls and haptic feedback panels you get in the ID.3 hatch and VW’s other EVs are gone. 

Instead, the ID. Polo’s new, slightly unusual square steering wheel features chunky buttons, while a row of physical climate control switches sits proudly on the dashboard; there’s even a proper volume dial on the centre console. This perhaps shouldn’t feel like such a big deal, but it really does after years of complaining about VW’s user interface.

The same goes for there being four window switches for the driver, instead of just one pair that you have to toggle between controlling the front or rear. One little detail that has stuck around, though, are the play and pause motifs on the pedals.

These pictures also suggest that perceived quality has taken a big leap forward over the ID.3, because even the air vent tabs and volume dial have a premium knurled finish. Volkswagen says it also put a lot of effort into making the ID. Polo’s interior feel more inviting, which is why there’s soft-like fabric across the dashboard, doors and even the centre console.

The layout of the screens is also different to that in any other VW EV. The 10.25-inch driver’s display is fitted to the dashboard, as most people would expect, rather than mounted to the steering column, as the 5.3-inch unit is in the ID.3. The 13-inch central touchscreen is not only larger than the ID.3’s as well, it’s also not angled towards the driver, making it easier for the front passenger to use.

New more intuitive software in the ID. Polo will offer drivers more functions and some nods to the great VWs of old. For example, with just the push of a button, the graphics on the instrument panel transform to resemble the dials on the original Golf from the seventies. 

The Volkswagen ID. Polo will be revealed in full in the next few months and arrive later this year, with prices likely to start from around £22,000. That will put it within spitting distance of the Renault 5, which is currently available through our very own Auto Express Buy A Car service from less than £21,000. 

The new Fiat Grande Panda and the next-generation Peugeot 208, which is now due to arrive in 2027, will also be among the ID. Polo’s long list of rivals.

What will the Volkswagen ID. Polo look like?

Our exclusive image gives you a sneak peek at what the new Volkswagen ID. Polo will look like, although the brand hasn’t left much to the imagination really after it showed a lightly camouflaged model at the 2025 Munich Motor Show. 

The ID. Polo will look almost identical to the ID.2all concept that was unveiled back in 2023, which was not only very handsome but instantly recognisable as a Volkswagen because of its similar proportions to the familiar petrol-powered Polo.

Why is it called the Volkswagen ID. Polo, not the ID.2?

Aside from the ID. Buzz, all of Volkswagen's pure-electric models until now have had numerical names, like ID.3 or ID.4, and because of that we assumed this new model would be called the ID.2. 

But now, the brand has decided to use iconic names like Polo, Golf and potentially others for its EVs as well, capitalising on the household recognition and nostalgia customers have for them.

When announcing its new naming strategy, Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer said: “Our model names are firmly anchored in people’s minds. That’s why we’re moving our well known names into the future. The ID. Polo is just the beginning.” That certainly opens speculation to big-sellers like the Tiguan and long-running models like the Passat gaining pure-electric power and ID-badging in the future.

How much range will the Volkswagen ID. Polo offer?

The ID. Polo will sit on a brand-new platform called MEB+ that it will share with the Cupra Raval, Skoda Epiq and Volkswagen ID. Cross, which are all due to arrive this year. 

The MEB+ architecture has been designed from the outset to support smaller, cheaper vehicles. As such, it switches layout from rear to front-wheel drive and makes use of a less complex torsion-beam rear suspension to boost practicality and keep a lid on costs.

The ID. Polo will be available with two battery options: a base 37kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) and higher-spec 54kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt). The larger unit will provide up to 280 miles of range - more than the Renault 5’s 252-mile max range - and with charging speeds of up to 130kW, going from 10-80 per cent in 23 minutes. 

Is there going to be an ID. Polo GTI?

Yes, there will be an ID. Polo GTI. We’ve already seen a camouflaged prototype of the hot edition, which has been confirmed for launch in 2026 alongside the standard car. This is the first time VW has dared to use its legendary GTI badge on an electric car. Until now, its most potent EVs have worn a GTX badge. 

In order to compete with fellow all-electric hot hatches such as the Alpine A290, MINI JCW Electric and forthcoming Peugeot E-208 GTi, the ID. Polo GTI will have a healthy 227bhp on tap. All of that will be sent to the front wheels via a limited-slip differential, and the car will have a unique suspension set-up.

Will the petrol-powered Volkswagen Polo still be available?

Also, yes. The ID. Polo EV will be sold alongside the petrol-powered, sixth-generation Polo, which is due to receive some significant upgrades later this year to make it look and feel fresh sitting next to its shiny new sibling in showrooms. Auto Express has learned these updates will include a hybrid powertrain and new tech. 

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