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Volkswagen reveals the ID. Polo, a sub-$30k electric car for the masses with retro charm

The iconic Polo is going electric, and it's bringing a 454 km range and a surprisingly wallet-friendly starting price.

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Volkswagen ID Polo
Volkswagen

The Volkswagen ID. Polo is now official, and it is a big deal. The Polo has been one of VW’s most beloved and iconic models, with over 20 million units sold, and it is now going fully electric. Developed in Wolfsburg, the ID. Polo starts at 24,995 euros in Germany, which is a reasonable entry point for a proper electric car.

Talking about the core specs, you get three power options: 85 kW, 99 kW, and 155 kW. The first two variants come with a 37 kWh battery and offer a range of up to 329 km. The top-end 155 kW version steps up to a 52 kWh battery and covers up to 454 km on a single charge. 

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All three models support DC fast charging, which takes the battery from 10 to 80% in about 23 to 24 minutes.

Is the ID. Polo’s design a fresh start or just an evolution of the original?

The new ID. Polo utilizes Volkswagen’s “Pure Positive design language”. It features clean proportions, a C-pillar inspired by the original Golf, and a rear end that looks genuinely premium. It is instantly recognizable as a Polo, just a more elegant and modern one.

The car is 4,053 mm long and manages to squeeze out more usable space than you would expect. The trunk has grown by 25%, from 351 to 441 liters, and expands to 1,240 liters with the rear seats folded. 

There is a 10-inch digital display in front of the driver and a 13-inch central touchscreen infotainment system. The optional retro display mode, which mimics the look of the original Golf’s instruments, is a nice touch.

What other features do you get?

All trims come with LED headlights, lane assist, and DC fast charging as standard. The mid-range Life trim adds adaptive cruise control, a rear camera, CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. 

The top Style trim gets LED matrix headlights, heated seats, seat massage, a two-zone automatic air conditioner, and more. There is also a vehicle-to-load feature that lets you use the ID. Polo as a power source for devices like e-bikes, using a 230 V socket inside the cabin.

Pre-sales in Germany begin today, with prices starting at 33,795 euros for the 155 kW powertrain. The 24,995 euro base variant arrives in the summer.

Rachit Agarwal
Rachit is a seasoned tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering the consumer technology landscape.
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