Update: ‘VW developing EVs for North America’ sub-section of ‘No plan for the VW ID.6 SUV in the United States’ and ‘Specifications’ and ‘Features’ sections updated.
The VW ID.6 was developed exclusively for Chinese customers, where three-row SUVs are popular and electric vehicle sales are accelerating rapidly. As EV adoption across segments improves, the ID.6, which was launched in 2021, may sail to countries with an increasing demand for large SUVs. Or so it was thought!
Here’s everything you should know about Volkswagen’s three-row electric SUV and the possibility of it becoming a global model:
No plan for the VW ID.6 in the United States
The VW ID.6 was seen as holding potential for the U.S. in 2021, but circumstances and the company’s product strategy are different now.
Inflation Reduction Act deters manufacturers from importing EVs
With the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) signed into law on August 16, 2022, Volkswagen is unlikely to be interested in test-marketing the ID.6 in limited volumes imported from China and seeing its potential for local production. To be eligible for credits, among other stipulations, the final assembly of EVs has to be in North America.
Tariffs imposed on Chinese-made cars
In the United States, Chinese-made cars are now charged a significantly higher tariff of 27.5%. In comparison German-made vehicles are charged the standard, lower tariff of 2.5%. The ID.6 is exclusively manufactured in China, and it would be an expensive affair to sell it here as an import.
VW developing EVs for North America
This year, Volkswagen will launch two large EVs, both imported from Germany: the VW ID. Buzz three-row minivan and the VW ID.7 upper midsize sedan.
Product programs from 2025 will focus on models manufactured in North America. Volkswagen has lined up two new electric SUV launches in the region starting in 2026, as announced as part of the $7.1 billion investment in the region on March 21, 2022. One of the electric SUVs confirmed for North America (VW ID.8) is expected as a three-row family hauler of the same class as the ID.6, but designed and manufactured for U.S. consumers.
Establishing Scout Motors for the U.S.
If the aforementioned reasons aren’t enough indications for the ID.6 not sailing to the U.S., take into consideration the Scout Motors launch. The newly established company’s sole purpose is electric models designed for North American customers. The brand plans to launch a large rugged SUV and start production in 2026. The teaser image of the Scout electric SUV indicates it will be available with three rows of seats.
What brewed the ID.6 SUV U.S. launch rumors?
The ID.6 is the perfect example of how launch plans are subject to market forces. In 2019, citing Jürgen Stackmann, a report from Auto Express stated that the ID.6 would be launched in the U.S. after China. Stackmann is the former BoM member responsible for Sales, Marketing & After Sales of Volkswagen.
Ralf Brandstätter, formerly the CEO of Volkswagen and now Volkswagen Group’s Board of Management member responsible for China Operations, told Autocar UK in 2020 that “there is a possibility” of the ID.6 for other markets.
However, in a presentation that followed on March 17, 2021, Dr. Christian Dahlheim, who was then Volkswagen Group’s Head of Group Sales, and currently Volkswagen Financial Services’ CEO, confirmed that the company is viewing the ID.6 as a China-only model, putting an end to the rumors.
The VW ID.6 comes in Crozz and X versions
The VW ID.6 was unveiled in China in April 2021 in configurations with six and seven seats. The VW ID.6 range includes an ID.6 X for the SAIC-VW JV company and an ID.6 Crozz for the FAW-VW JV company. As in the ID.4, Crozz would be the ‘global’ version if and when it is ready to ditch its China-only tag.
VW ID.6 Crozz
The VW ID.6 Crozz differs from the ID.6 X with its simpler front and rear designs. It features a more understated style, likely to appeal to a wider, global audience should it be released worldwide. The boxy headlamps add a modern edge. Its upper grille is narrower, enhancing the vehicle’s clean appearance, and it seamlessly blends into the headlamps, unlike the ID.6 X. However, the design of the front bumper is a bit odd and doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the vehicle’s look.
VW ID.6 X
The VW ID.6 X features a more aggressive design compared to the ‘simpler’ styling of the ID.6 Crozz. It sports distinctive, taller headlights and better-looking fake grilles, along with heavy patterns on the lower part. At the rear, it borrows styling cues from the VW ID.4 X, including gloss black plating on the tailgate and horizontal reflectors, distinguishing it further. Its bumpers are notably different from the original model, as the design recipe is modified to suit the taste of Chinese customers.
The two ID.6 models adopt excellent aerodynamic design to achieve improved endurance and energy efficiency performance. The smooth roofline extends all the way to the rear and is connected to the spoiler on the upper part of the rear window, presenting an elegant, streamlined shape. This design can not only further reduce air resistance but also reduce wind noise. At the same time, the waistline design is simple and powerful and outlines a solid and wide side profile, highlighting the recognizable new body proportions of the ID. family models.
Volkswagen Group commenting on the design of the VW ID.6
Interior
The interior design of both ID.6 models is the same. The production version of the VW ID.Roomzz concept from Auto Shanghai 2019 is internally called ‘VW Lounge SUVe,’ which connotes the space levels on offer. The flagship ID series’s interior is focused on comfort, leisure, and practicality. The zero-emissions family SUV is more spacious than the Tiguan Allspace.
Specifications
| Parameter | VW ID.6 Crozz Specs (China) | VW ID.4 Specs (USA) | Difference |
| Length | 192.6 in. | 180.5 in. | +12.1 in. |
| Width | 72.8 in. | 72.9 in. | -0.1 in. |
| Height | 66.1 in. | 64.5 in./65.1 in. | +1.6 in./1 in. |
| Wheelbase | 116.8 in. | 108.9 in. | +7.9 in. |
The VW ID.6 measures 4,876 mm (192.0 in.) in length, 1,848 mm (72.8 in.) in width, and 1,680 mm (66.1 in.) in height. The wheelbase is 2,965 mm (116.8 in.).
The ID.6 X comes with 132 kW (177 hp)/310 Nm (229 lb.-ft.) single-motor, 150 kW (201 hp)/310 Nm (229 lb.-ft.) single-motor, and 230 kW (308 hp)/472 Nm powertrain options. The base powertrain gets its energy from a 63.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, while the other two get their juice from an 83.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. According to CLTC, the ID.6 X delivers a range of 460 km (286 miles) in the base variant, 617 km (383 miles) in the mid-variant, and 555 km (345 miles) in the top-end variant.
In September 2023, FAW-VW rolled out an update for the ID.6 Crozz that improved its range. While it gets the same powertrains as the ID.6 X, it uses a 62.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack in the base variant and an 84.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack in the other two variants. Though the ID.6 Crozz has a smaller battery in the base variant, it delivers a higher CLTC range – 480 km (298 miles). The CLTC range figures of the mid- and top-end variants are 601 km (373 miles) and 560 km (348 miles), respectively.
Features
On the outside, the ID.6 features IQ.Light matrix LED headlights with a connecting light strip, 21-inch alloy wheels, panoramic roof, and LED tail lights with X-shape graphics and a connecting light strip. Interior highlights include a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR HUD), 12-way adjustable seats with massage function, and 30-color ambient lighting.
With the September 2023 update, FAW-VW replaced the genuine leather steering wheel cover in the ID.6 Crozz with artificial leather, and improved the MOSC 4.0 intelligent car system. MOSC 4.0 supports online navigation and voice interaction, among other functions.
Price
The ID.6 SUV costs almost the same in both versions. The VW ID.6 X starts at CNY 259,888 (USD 36,102) and go up to 329,888 (USD 45,826). Meanwhile, the VW ID.6 Crozz ranges between CNY 258,900 (USD 35,965) and CNY 336,900 (USD 46,800).
TopElectricSUV says
The VW ID.6 SUV, while holding potential in the global market, is likely to remain a China-only model, where it has to up the ante for the brand to catch up with local manufacturers and Tesla. The U.S. should get newer ID. products, ones that are designed keeping in mind the needs and tastes of local customers from the outset.
VW ID.6 FAQs
What is the VW ID.6 SUV release date?
The VW ID.6 is on sale in China, but there’s no plan to bring it to the United States.
What are the VW ID.6 SUV competitors?
The BYD Tang EV, Peugeot e-5008 & Hyundai Ioniq 7 are current and future competitors of the ID.6.
Featured Image Source: Volkswagen Group
International Automotive News Editor since 2014, covering global motor shows, industry events, and test-driving various vehicles, with a focus on hybrid and electric cars in recent years.
