- Final prototype testing is underway, confirming a 2026 launch window for the electric Polo.
- Three outputs at launch with up to 450 km range; GTI follows later.
- MEB+ front-drive platform delivers more interior and boot space than today’s Polo.
Volkswagen’s electric reinvention of its long-running small-car hero is moving from promise to practice.
The ID. Polo, an all-electric successor wearing one of the brand’s most familiar badges, is now undergoing final validation testing ahead of its planned series production debut in 2026.
A familiar name, a very new idea
Almost production-ready prototypes are currently racking up kilometres across multiple regions as engineers fine-tune quality and driving behaviour.
This model marks a symbolic shift for Volkswagen’s electric line-up: the ID. Polo becomes the first EV in the ID family to revive a traditional nameplate rather than inventing a new one. It also lands almost exactly 50 years after the original Polo first appeared.
Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer describes the car as “the beginning of a new generation of Volkswagen”, highlighting its fresh design, intuitive operation and “proper name again” approach.
He also confirmed a European entry price target of €25,000 (around NZ$50,800), positioning it as a genuinely accessible EV rather than a niche urban toy.
Power choices and real-world range
At launch, the ID. Polo will offer three power outputs: 85kW, 99kW and 155kW, with a fourth, sportier GTI version delivering 166kW due later in the year.
Entry-level models use a 37kWh (net) lithium iron phosphate battery, capable of DC fast charging at up to 90kW. Higher-output variants step up to a 52kWh (net) nickel manganese cobalt pack, lifting peak DC charging to 130kW and enabling a claimed driving range of up to 450km (forecast figure).
All versions use front-wheel drive, built on Volkswagen’s updated MEB+ platform. A new-generation electric motor and cell-to-pack battery construction reduce weight and complexity, while improving energy density by around 10 per cent.
Small on the outside, bigger where it counts
Despite dimensions broadly comparable to the current Polo, 4053mm long and riding on a 2600mm wheelbase, the ID. Polo promises more usable space. Volkswagen claims an extra 19mm of interior length, improved headroom and a boot that grows to 435L, expanding to 1243L with the rear seats folded.
Advanced driver assistance is also part of the package, with an upgraded Travel Assist system adding features such as assisted lane changes and traffic light recognition.
Local market timing has not been disclosed yet. Still, with testing well underway, the ID. Polo looks set to play a central role in Volkswagen’s push to make electric cars feel less like a leap, and more like a natural next step.