Pre-drive VW ID Cross: a beacon of hope for under 28,000 euros

A marina on the left, the venerable Amsterdam Olympic Stadium on the right - and yet most passers-by are looking at a different eye-catcher: the VW ID Cross. This is because the electric B-segment SUV is still hidden under a striking green, white and beige jagged camouflage foil. The car will not arrive at dealerships until the end of the year. The most important thing first: the ID Cross convinces while driving.

The car sits firmly on the road, the forward motion feels mature and grown-up. This is crucial for Volkswagen in challenging times. Many of the ailing Group's hopes rest on this model. 2026 is the year in which the brand's comparatively affordable electric models come onto the market, which are expected to generate huge sales. In addition to the ID Polo small car, this also includes the ID Cross, which is aimed at the small and compact SUV segment that is currently in particularly high demand among drivers.

Just like the VW ID Polo, the ID Cross is also based on the new Group vehicle platform MEB+. This means that, unlike the previous models in the ID series, the car is equipped with front-wheel drive. When driving, the ID Cross behaves in a very balanced manner. Possible understeer, which can occur with front-wheel drive cars when cornering at speed, was not noticeable during the test drives. When accelerating in a straight line, the car is impressive - like most electric vehicles. This is also due to the fact that the most powerful drive with 155 kW (211 hp) is installed in the test car. Motors with 85 kW (116 hp) and 99 kW (135 hp) will also be available.

Two battery packs are offered: The small battery with a storage capacity of 37 kWh enables a range of around 312 kilometers, according to VW. The large 52-kWh battery of the camouflaged test car should make up to 436 kilometers possible. After the first drive, the on-board computer showed an average consumption of 13.5 kWh per 100 kilometers driven. Extrapolated, the realistic range is therefore around 385 kilometers. This corresponds roughly to the distance from Munich to Frankfurt - a rock-solid figure. The large battery can be charged with up to 105 kW. The battery indicator rises from ten to 80 percent in 24 minutes. This is also very suitable for everyday use.

In general, the ID Cross impresses with everyday driving patterns. Especially when it is not driven at a brisk pace, but rather at a leisurely pace. This is when the driver assistance systems are particularly effective. For example, the latest level of adaptive cruise control, the Travel Assist: the ID Cross recognizes traffic lights - this is new - and automatically brakes to a standstill at red lights. To drive off, the accelerator pedal must be tapped briefly. In normal use, however, the driver does not have to press the brake at all. This is because, unlike the VW electric models currently on the road, the ID Cross allows one-pedal driving. When the strongest recuperation mode for energy recovery is selected, the car brakes completely to a standstill.

Three recuperation levels are available. They can be selected via the steering column lever and the central touchscreen. This measures 12.9 inches as standard and is the central control element for controlling the infotainment system. Operation is quite intuitive and even fun: VW has incorporated some retro elements into the design of the screens on board - in addition to the touchscreen, there is also a 10.25-inch digital cockpit. This can be configured to look like the analog instruments in the Golf from the 1980s. The journey back in time continues on the central screen. A tube screen aesthetic can also be selected and the music playback can be embedded as a cassette player graphic. These little design gimmicks are part of VW's new "Pure Positive" design strategy.

There are still many people who don't think much of such gimmicks and want simple, physical buttons. And they have been listened to. There are real buttons on the steering wheel, for example for setting the cruise control, as well as switches for controlling the air conditioning below the touchscreen. There is also a rotary switch below the center console that can be used to adjust the volume. The touch sliders, which caused a lot of criticism in previous VW e-cars, are now history. We can't say any more about the interior yet. This is because the new Volkswagen is not only camouflaged on the outside for the test drive in Amsterdam, but also on the inside.

VW has already gone further in terms of pricing. The entry-level "Trend" variant is expected to cost less than 28,000 euros. That is just under 3000 euros more than the minimum price for the T-Cross combustion engine. Compared to it, however, the ID Cross is more comfortable. This is because the e-SUV is 4.15 meters long, 1.79 meters high and 1.58 meters wide - and therefore slightly larger than the combustion model. Passengers in the first and, above all, the second row of seats therefore have more space. There are also advantages in terms of storage volume. The trunk of the ID Cross has a capacity of 475 liters, which is 20 liters more than the T-Cross. The ID Cross is also the first electric car from VW to have a frunk under the hood, a front luggage compartment that can hold a further 22 liters. This was not yet visible in the test vehicle, but should be ideal for stowing the charging cable. Other details will also remain hidden for the time being - until the world premiere in July. (aum)