Volkswagen ID Cross 2027: Electric mini-SUV unveiled to challenge Geely EX2 & BYD Atto 2 head-on

---

Volkswagen has thrown its hat into the crowded electric mini-SUV ring, with the production version of the ID Cross breaking cover overnight in Wolfsburg.

In VW’s native Germany, sales of the most powerful variant, with 155kW and a quoted 427km range from a 52kWh battery, begin immediately from €27,995, which converts to A$45,813 at the current time.

That lines up with the Hyundai Inster ($39,000) and Volvo EX30 ($49,990) rather than sub-$30,000 Chinese rivals such as the incoming Geely EX2 ($26,490) or the BYD Atto 2 ($31,990 before on-roads).

Lower-grade versions are confirmed with a 37kWh battery and either an 85kW or 99kW motor.

For comparison, VW’s petrol equivalent, the T-Cross, retails from $28,990 — all prices listed are before on-road costs.

Like Hyundai, Volkswagen hopes customers will pay for the quality and assurance of an established brand. 

That’s a USP Volkswagen is fighting to regain; the ID Cross’s interior continues the return of buttons and posh materials to VW interiors, following the Tiguan’s lead in dumping the brand’s maligned all-touch interfaces. 

A 12.9-inch central touchscreen is nonetheless present to appease screen junkies.

Built on the Volkswagen Group’s new MEB+ lower-cost EV platform, to be debuted in Australia by the Cupra Raval, all ID Crosses are front wheel drive. 

Capable of 11kW AC (slow) charging and 90kW DC (fast) charging, VW claims charging from 10 to 80 percent is possible in 24 minutes. Vehicle-to-load function is standard too, at up to 3.6kW.

Technology is very impressive for the segment. The ID Cross’s adaptive cruise control can stop the car at red lights, and 360-degree cameras and even remote control parking through a smartphone are offered.

Volkswagen’s highly-regarded Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive dampers, which offer a wide bandwidth between ride softness and tight cornering, filter down from bigger VWs into the 155kW ID Cross.

At 4153 mm long, 1581 mm tall and 1794 mm wide, the ID Cross has 20L more luggage space than the T-Cross, due to new compartments under the boot floor and under the bonnet where the fuel tank and engine would have gone.

The ID Cross emerges with Volkswagen under a cloud. As reported by Chasing Cars, CEO Oliver Blume hopes to dramatically trim the conglomerate’s sprawling line-ups to reduce costs and restore profitability. 

Volkswagen Australia told Chasing Cars that the ID Cross is “currently being assessed for the Australian market as part of our ongoing product planning activities”, and was unable to confirm local availability or timing.