I spent some time around the VW ID. Polo prototype at Auto Zurich 2025, and it was interesting to see how far Volkswagen has come since I saw the ID GTI concept last year. Seeing the camouflaged Polo-badged version in person, it feels like that vision, at least the exterior, is almost ready for production.
Design
The prototype wears heavy camouflage, but many production-ready cues were visible when I looked closely. The lighting looks expressive, with a distinctive LED signature and daytime running lights that should give it a more modern face.
Half of the headlamps are covered, yet it’s clear they’ll play a big part in the car’s personality. Below them sit what appear to be intakes for cooling the brakes, but a closer look reveals that it’s just a trim piece. The front detailing looks simple, with clean surfacing.
The front fenders and bonnet form haunches that give the small hatch a muscular stance when viewed from the front. Despite its compact footprint, it doesn’t look cheap or fragile. The roofline is conventional and confirms this isn’t an SUV. Yet, compared to the combustion Polo parked behind it, it sits slightly taller, with the battery pack accommodated underneath.
Side & Rear
From the side, I noticed that the ID. Polo comes with traditional front door handles, and discreet rear door handles integrated to the C-Pillar to create a sporty impression. It also took me back to a time when the Polo was available as a three-door hatchback.
The rear features taillamps that extend into the fenders, creating a sharp visual cut. The tailgate has a subtle outward curve, and like other VWs, the logo should double as the latch release. The lower bumper design stood out. It mimics a diffuser, which gives the hatch a sporty finish even though it’s an EV. There’s no need for visible exhausts, yet the rear styling has presence.
Wheels, Tires & Aero
The prototype was fitted with 20-inch Continental PremiumContact 6 tires, sized 225/40 R20. That’s a very aggressive setup for a city-sized car and unlikely to reach dealers except on a GTI variant. Most customers will probably see 18-inch or smaller wheels for comfort and efficiency. Behind those wheels are large disc brakes front and rear, suggesting that the MEB-Eco is very capable.
The mirrors also caught my eye. They’re thinner than the ones on the nearby Polo GTI, streamlined for aerodynamics. Combined with tight overhangs and a compact body, the ID. Polo is poised to looks tidy and planted like the combustion model, while conveying that it’s the variant of the future.
Interior Glimpse
This prototype had a placeholder interior with heavily tinted windows, but a few details were visible. I could see a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and contoured front seats with side bolsters.
The seating position seemed familiar, not unlike the combustion Polo, and the cabin layout hinted at a flat floor and good passenger space. We’ll get an idea of the production-spec interior next year. There was no sunroof, but a large single-piece roof spoiler finished off the rear neatly.
Standee Details
The spec sheet displayed beside the car reconfirms that the ID. Polo is a front-wheel-drive EV, with up to four power levels including a GTI version rated at 166 kW (226 PS).
The prototype shown had 99 kW (135 PS) and weighed 1,497 kg (3,300 lb). Two battery sizes will be offered, and the provisional energy use is listed at 12.4 kWh/100 km (3.4 mi/kWh). The car measures 4,053 mm (159.6 in.) long, 1,810 mm (71.3 in.) wide, and 1,530 mm (60.2 in.) tall, with a 2,600 mm (102.4 in.) wheelbase.
Overall Impressions
The VW ID. Polo feels nearly production-ready, especially its stance, lighting, and powertrain specifications. It should offer generous interior room for its size, notable efficiency, and there are a lot of expectations from the first-ever electric GTI model.
Still, it’s unlikely that this small electric hatchback will reach the U.S. market. Its compact size, conservative range, and urban-oriented design fit Europe far better than America’s crossover-heavy tastes.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
