Skip advert
Advertisement

New Volkswagen SEDRIC review

We go for a ride in the Volkswagen SEDRIC, VW’s self-driving taxi of the future

Vehicles such as the SEDRIC will soon be shuttling people around cities safely, quietly and efficiently, claims VW. There’s still work to do, but the idea and execution of what’s been done so far is compelling – if not to everyone’s taste.

Within the next five years the VW Group is aiming to have a fully autonomous Level 5 ‘mobility service’ on the market. It won’t be sold to everyday consumers, but instead to businesses such as taxi firms and delivery companies who want more efficient transport services.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The SEDRIC is a working concept of what the VW Group is planning to sell – and Auto Express has been for an exclusive passenger ride to see how the project is developing.

The ultimate guide to autonomous cars

The car retains much of the look of the design concept that was previewed at last year’s Geneva Motor Show. Visually, the only real change is the removal of the wheel covers so the SEDRIC has the ability to turn corners.

It’s cloaked in lidar (light and laser) sensors, 360-degree cameras and radars that enable it to tell the difference between, say, a dog and a pedestrian, as well as determining if there are any impending risks ahead.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

HS

2022 MG

HS

54,127 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £13,880
View HS
Golf R

2024 Volkswagen

Golf R

21,844 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £31,783
View Golf R
A4

2025 Audi

A4

15,275 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £24,043
View A4
Focus Estate

2020 Ford

Focus Estate

74,061 milesManualDiesel1.5L

Cash £11,000
View Focus Estate

The VW Group research team is still using the prototype for validation testing on these systems before handing it over to product development specialists for fine-tuning ahead of its launch.

So the mechanical make-up of this prototype is quite different to the car we’ll see in five years’ time. It’s based on an e-Golf, so it’s front-wheel drive and driven by one electric motor; the final model will be based on the VW Group’s new MEB platform and feature one electric motor on the rear axle.

SEDRIC is hailed via a smartphone app. When it pulls up it greets you using one of six external displays, which also allow it to communicate with other pedestrians. The doors slide open to reveal a light four-seat cabin. Despite having a similar wheelbase to the up! city car, it offers a vast amount of space.

Once the SEDRIC has the destination logged, a quick prod of a centrally located Go button closes the doors and sets the vehicle on its way.

Acceleration is slow and smooth to help aid refinement. The SEDRIC negotiates a short 400m course with ease; it swerves left and right through cones, maintaining a smooth and controlled speed until it arrives at its destination. It’s all rather undramatic, in fact – and that’s largely the aim.

Inside, an enormous transparent screen sits behind rearward-facing passengers and displays information such as outside temperature, vehicle speed and distance to the destination.

VW also plans to allow passengers to project content from their smartphones, while the screen could also be used by companies for advertising space as an additional revenue stream.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More reviews

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £11,932
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £10,109
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £6,040 off RRP*Used from £12,495
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer
Volvo EM90 - front

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer

Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it’s for China only
Road tests
16 Jun 2025
Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028
Nissan Leaf - front cornering

Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028

The industry is in a race to bring solid-state to the market, and Nissan isn’t too far behind the leaders
News
17 Jun 2025
New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there’s a whole lot more too
Audi Q3 - front

New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there’s a whole lot more too

Audi’s not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
News
16 Jun 2025