While Volkswagen is trying to convince us that the future is “clean and positive”, the latest spy shots from snowy Sweden reveal a slightly different reality. The new ID.Cross, which should be the electric successor to the popular T-Cross, is undergoing final winter tests, camouflaged in white – a trick that the Germans use to hide the car's true proportions against the background of the snowdrifts. But even so, some details are starting to raise questions.
Conceived as a compact urban SUV with a length of just 4.2 meters, the ID.Cross promises to be the “affordable” entry into the electric range. However, its design looks rather like a piece of junk from other models – the headlights strongly resemble the future ID.Polo, and the rear spoiler is a direct reference to the classic Golf. Instead of a bold new identity, we see a compilation of familiar elements wrapped in massive fenders that try to give the crossover a more serious look than it actually deserves.
The technical parameters also do not sound like a market breakthrough. The promised range of 420 km sounds optimistic, especially in real winter conditions, where Volkswagen's batteries traditionally show their weaknesses. Although the MEB+ platform is a step forward, the drive remains only on the front wheels with a power of 208 hp – a figure that is unlikely to impress anyone in a segment where the competition already offers much more for the same money. The interior, which will be shared with the ID.Polo to “cut costs”, is a clear sign that the wave of cheap plastics that flooded the first ID models may return under the guise of “minimalism“.
With an expected price of around 27,000 euros, the ID.Cross is positioned as a “people's“ electric car, but when you add a few extras, the amount will quickly exceed the psychological limit. The official premiere is scheduled for the summer of 2026, and production will take place in Spain. Whether this will be the hit that Volkswagen desperately needs, or another attempt to sell familiar technology in a new package, remains to be seen. One thing is certain - there are already players on the market who offer more style and innovation for less money.