Volkswagen ID. Cross Concept: Accessible 2nd Generation EV

At the Munich Auto Show, Volkswagen introduced the ID. Cross Concept, a concept car that lays the foundation for the company's second generation of electric cars with a more "normal" and accessible orientation. The highlight is a familiar design-user experience approach, a return to physical buttons, using the meb+ platform and aiming for a range of up to 420 km according to WLTP. The car is expected to be front-wheel drive, have an output of about 208 horsepower, have a 25-liter front trunk and is aimed at launching in 2026.

Mass-oriented design and “normalization” strategy

The ID. Cross Concept is an electrified rival to the best-selling T-cross gasoline crossover, reflecting VW’s strategy of returning electric vehicles to their roots: friendly, easy-to-use shapes, instead of the controversial “spaceship” styling. Along with the recently introduced id. polo concept, the message is clear: the next generation of EVs will be electrified versions of popular names that customers already love.

The car will be based on the meb+ platform, an evolution of the current meb architecture that promises both battery and software upgrades. It is a core technical piece of VW’s EV “normalization” strategy, aimed at bridging the experience gap between electric and mainstream cars.

Cabin experience first: physical buttons return

VW has taken the feedback head-on. The annoying haptic sliders on some ID.4s have been ditched, replaced by a clear set of physical buttons. A small but significant detail: the car now has four full-length window switches, addressing previous complaints about having only two switches and having to press a secondary button to switch between front and rear windows.

“The ID Cross concept is almost ready for production,” said VW brand CEO Thomas Schäfer. “It proves that we are now really delivering what we expected, with a new design, many technologies previously only available in the premium segments, improved performance and quality.” The decision to return to physical buttons also follows a global trend, with European safety tests repeatedly showing that buttons are more intuitive and safer to operate at high speeds than touch controls.

Expected performance and parameters

According to the initial technical direction, the ID. Cross Concept is expected to be front-wheel drive, with an output of around 208 horsepower. The target operating range is up to 420 km according to the WLTP cycle, suitable for the role of an urban crossover. A plus point in terms of practicality is the front trunk (frunk) with a capacity of 25 liters – a detail that many current ID. models lack.

meb+ platform and technology

Meb+ is an upgrade of meb, focusing on improving both battery hardware and software. Along with that, VW said the car will bring down technologies that were previously only available in higher segments. Although details have not been given, the direction is to improve the daily usage experience instead of chasing after "showy" features that are difficult to apply.

Market and schedule

The ID. Cross Concept is expected to launch in 2026. Pricing has not been announced, but VW claims it will be “attractive” – a must as BYD and other Chinese electric car makers accelerate in Europe. Positioning it alongside mainstream models like the T-cross shows the goal of reaching a wide customer base, prioritizing cost of use and friendliness.

Main specifications (expected)

Category	Information
Architecture	meb+ (improved from meb)
Drive	Front axle
Capacity	About 208 horsepower
Scope of operations	Up to 420 km (WLTP)
Front trunk (frunk)	25 liters
Product positioning	Electrified rival to the T-cross gasoline crossover
Schedule	Expected launch 2026

Conclude

The ID. Cross Concept shows that VW is adjusting its EV strategy to be more accessible to the mainstream: familiar design, intuitive operation, reasonable range. If the commitment to experience and quality is maintained when commercialized, this could be an important piece of the puzzle to make VW's second generation of EVs more accessible.

Source: InsideEVs

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