Volkswagen has unveiled a redesigned interior concept for its upcoming entry-level electric vehicle lineup, marking a clear shift in response to customer feedback. The new cockpit will debut in the ID. Polo, the first of four new affordable EVs planned under Volkswagen’s ID family.
After offering an early preview last week, Volkswagen has now revealed its first full look at the all-new interior, which will be rolled out across future ID models.
A Return to Physical Controls
According to Volkswagen’s Head of Technical Development, Kai Grünitz, the updated interior focuses on “clean lines, high-quality materials, and an intuitive operating environment,” with a renewed emphasis on physical buttons.
At the center of the new layout is an updated infotainment system featuring:
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A 10.25-inch digital driver display
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A 13-inch central touchscreen for navigation and media
Separate physical buttons for climate control and hazard warning lights are now positioned below the infotainment screen, addressing long-standing criticism of touch-only interfaces. The redesigned multifunction steering wheel also brings back physical buttons, while a rotary controller between the cup holders and smartphone tray manages volume and track selection.
ID. Light and New Software
For the first time, Volkswagen’s ID. Light interactive lighting system extends across the instrument panel, the base of the windscreen, and the door panels. The system integrates with the brand’s latest software platform, which Grünitz says will deliver “noticeably more comfort and functions.”
The software update includes the third generation of Travel Assist, which Volkswagen says will soon be capable of recognizing red traffic lights and stop signs, expanding semi-autonomous driving capabilities.
A Touch of Retro
Alongside the functional updates, Volkswagen has added what its design team refers to as some “secret sauce.” A retro display mode allows the digital cockpit to transform into a visual theme inspired by the Golf I of the 1980s, offering a nostalgic option within the modern digital interface.
Size, Space, and Powertrain Options
The ID. Polo is similar in size to its combustion-engine counterpart, measuring 4,053 mm long, 1,816 mm wide, and 1,530 mm tall. Thanks to compact electric drive modules and a flat battery pack, Volkswagen says the EV version offers more interior space despite comparable exterior dimensions.
The ID. Polo is expected to start at €25,000 (around $29,500) and will be offered with three power outputs:
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85 kW (114 hp)
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99 kW (133 hp)
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155 kW (208 hp)
The 85 kW and 99 kW variants use a 37 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, while higher-output versions will be equipped with a 52 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery, delivering up to 450 km (280 miles) of WLTP range.
However, according to Germany’s Handelsblatt, the base €25,000 version is unlikely to be available at launch when the ID. Polo debuts this spring.
Perspective
From a neutral standpoint, Volkswagen’s revised EV interior signals a pragmatic shift rather than a radical redesign. By reintroducing physical buttons and simplifying core controls, the company appears to be prioritizing usability over experimentation—an approach likely to resonate with mainstream buyers in the affordable EV segment. While availability of the lowest-priced model remains uncertain, the interior changes suggest Volkswagen is listening more closely to driver feedback as competition intensifies in the entry-level electric market.
