ID. Cross Concept is Volkswagen’s latest electric car

At the recently concluded IAA Mobility Munich Motor Show, Volkswagen emerged as the star of the show’s social media trends with its latest drop: the ID. Cross Concept. The historic German brand, known for its iconic models including the Polo, Golf and, more recently, the hugely popular Virtus in India, made a big splash as it unveiled its new compact SUV. An electric car, as its ‘ID’ prefix suggests, the compact SUV emerged on stage — and displayed on Munich’s public square, showing itself as a svelte, compact SUV, slotted for a summer 2026 release.

 ID. Cross Concept 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Social media was abuzz with Volkswagen’s newest baby, which is characterised by its ‘smiling’ front, graphics and 3-D lights. “I wanted to make a happy car, one that looks like it is smiling. There are so many angry, aggressive looking cars out there in the market already,” Andreas Mindt, Volkswagen’s global design head tells me, in a private chat, behind the scenes of the expo.

Be that as it may, the near-production ID. Cross Concept is, indeed, a big deal for the automotive world as it announces Volkswagen’s new design direction, christened Pure Positive.

At the outset, the silhouette of the car is resolutely cleaner and more minimalistic, and the trained eye will be able to find subtle references to historic models like the Golf or the Volkswagen Bus (pronounced C-pillars, straight window lines and floating roofline).  

Interiors of the ID. Cross Concept 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

We get exclusive access to the inside of the ID.Cross Concept car, where pastels and monochrome textures dominate. I do give full marks for the fabric-covered spaces — a shade of beige that the designers have called Vanilla Chai, that allude to a wellness sanctuary or a lounge within the car.

The overall feel of the interiors are spacious and calming, easily fitting five passengers. Technology is seamlessly integrated as plant motifs and real plants are projected on the floating 13-inch centre console, to create a further sense of relaxation and wellness.  

The ID. Cross Concept 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Much to the relief of automotive traditionalists, this car eschews the entirely ‘soft key’ model by bringing back certain hard keys, to control important functions, as well a redesigned steering wheel, laden with utilitarian buttons. The 11-inch digital instrument cluster also appears to float effortlessly in front of the driver and both this one and the centre screen feature an intuitive, easy, user interface, with voice integration.  

Interiors of the ID. Cross Concept 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Andreas also indicates that all future Volkswagen models will be based on this new design language, starting with the ID. Cross. The electric SUV boasts Volkswagen’s new ‘Made in Europe’ drive system MEB+ with front-wheel drive, promises a range of 420kms on a single charge, a power of 155 kW and attains a top speed of 175 kmph.  

The ID. Cross is one of four electric cars that Volkswagen will launch globally in 2026. While the legacy carmaker has not officially confirmed its arrival in the Indian market, we do see this as a great and viable compact SUV, as a stylish daily driver for families. Volkswagen’s new design language, while cleverly referencing its strong legacy value, has indeed piqued our interest.