Volkswagen ID.Polo

Volkswagen’s first electric models had a futuristic design to emphasise that they were special cars. With the ID.Polo, the opposite is true: this electric Polo is intended to have a very ordinary look. The car therefore looks modern and familiar at the same time.

More space

At the same time, Volkswagen is making great strides forward, whilst taking the wishes of the general public into account. For example, Volkswagen has opted for a mix of buttons and screens, rather than screens alone. Another nice touch: the steering wheel features conventional buttons, rather than touch-sensitive panels. The side windows are operated in the old-fashioned way using four buttons, rather than two buttons plus a combination switch.

The dashboard and door panels are upholstered in fabric, which looks more modern and upmarket than plastic. Although this fabric is much more expensive than plastic, Volkswagen feels compelled to use it because its Chinese competitors invariably use fabric to convey a sense of quality. Volkswagen wouldn’t be Volkswagen if the brand hadn’t managed to exude a sense of solidity even with fabric upholstery.

The ID.Polo is wider and has a longer wheelbase than the Polo with a combustion engine, making it considerably more spacious. But that’s not all! From now on, all the technical components are housed under the bonnet, which means the boot is not only very large but, above all, very deep. The electric motor is positioned at an angle so that, in the event of a collision, it slides under the passenger compartment rather than into it. This has made it possible to avoid the need for heavy structural components, making the car lighter and more cost-effective. The downside is a high floor, which means the seating position is relatively high (or is that an advantage?).

Equipment

A new car calls for new equipment. This consists of two screens: one behind the steering wheel and one centrally on the dashboard. To emphasise that the ID.Polo is built by Volkswagen in Europe using European parts, the manufacturer alludes to the past. For example, there’s a theme available where the dials take on the layout of the Golf 1 GTI and a cassette player is displayed on the central screen. Rest assured: under the bonnet, the equipment remains modern. There are cameras all round, and the ID.Polo can even be parked via a smartphone app whilst no one is in the car. That same smartphone app can also be used to create virtual keys with which the car can be shared with others.

Under the bonnet, Volkswagen’s combined audio, communication and navigation system is based on Android Automotive. Volkswagen has effectively managed to conceal this and does not make use of Google services. It is not even possible to log in with a Google Account. Volkswagen has thus effectively managed to combine the best of both worlds: a bespoke operating system for mobile use with a wide range of applications, without the concerns about privacy. If you opt for the high-quality audio system, the sound quality is truly excellent.

Another well-thought-out detail: in modern cars, the mandatory safety systems are switched off at the start of every journey because they trigger too many false alarms. Volkswagen makes it possible to partly deactivate them! For example, one can choose to receive a warning only if driving more than 10 km/h over the speed limit. If desired, a warning will sound only when crossing a solid line. In doing so, Volkswagen has focused on software that really matters and has not been tempted by trivialities such as an artificial engine sound. The result is a cabin in which many people immediately feel at home and where everything works exactly as it should.

An affordable electric car

An electric car for the masses must be affordable. That is why Volkswagen set itself the target of offering the ID.Polo from 25,000 pounds. That proved easier said than done. To achieve this low price, Volkswagen was forced to develop a new platform, new batteries and a new electric motor. However, thanks to its collaboration with Audi, Seat, Cupra and Škoda, the Volkswagen Group is, however, so large that everything can be developed in-house and nothing needs to be sourced from China.

The new battery uses LFP technology. This is not only more cost-effective than the NMC used to date, but also safer and more sustainable (no rare metals, less susceptible to wear and tear). The ‘power distributor’ (to put it simply, to avoid jargon) is made of silicon carbide, which prevents energy loss. A new electric motor has also been developed. It is less powerful than that of, for example, the ID.3, but is therefore also more affordable, smaller, lighter and more economical. At least, in practice. The test car, with a 211 pk / 300 Nm motor, actually managed to impress with its performance!

To make the most of all the benefits of electric driving, one can drive using just 1 pedal. Those who prefer to leave energy recovery to the electronics can count on smart assistance. Using cameras and radar, the ID.Polo can brake automatically for bends, roundabouts, junctions and even red traffic lights. This is one of the reasons why Volkswagen promises that the ID.Polo is not only affordable to buy, but also economical to run. Fuel consumption under favourable weather conditions, but with a brisk driving style, came in at a respectable 14.3 kWh per 100 km.

Handling

The ID.Polo is a traditional hatchback, so Volkswagen already has a head start over the many competing SUVs. The ID.Polo is lower than an SUV and therefore noticeably more stable and dynamic. To compensate for the heavy weight of the batteries, Volkswagen has opted for an advanced chassis with dynamic fine-tuning. To illustrate just how lively the ID.Polo is: the Cupra Raval is built on exactly the same chassis with the same steering. And that brand has a reputation to uphold when it comes to good handling!

Ultimately, there is one area where noticeable cost-cutting has taken place: sound insulation. At high speeds and on bad road surfaces, there is far more road noise audible than in other electric cars in this segment. In town, however, the ID.Polo is quiet and agile. The ID.Polo therefore represents a huge step forward for the average man.

Conclusion

Volkswagen has done its homework well. The brand has taken a very close look at what the average person is looking for in a compact electric car. The ID.Polo is therefore, first and foremost, an ordinary car with a familiar name and timeless design. Because Volkswagen has taken the trouble to develop a completely new platform, the ID.Polo makes the most of all the benefits of electric driving. This includes a lot of space, as an electric motor takes up far less space than a combustion engine.

Wherever it makes sense, Volkswagen opts for software-based solutions. In doing so, Volkswagen has learnt from past mistakes. The new software is built on a solid foundation, and the developers have focused on what really matters, whilst resisting the temptation to develop pointless extras. As a result, the ID.Polo guarantees privacy and the car lasts longer. Some of the safety features can partly be deactivated, which reduces false alarms and ensures the systems are genuinely useful.

Despite all these qualities, the Volkswagen ID.Polo is also a very affordable electric car. In short: the ID.Polo is not only the best product Volkswagen has developed in a long time, it is also a serious response to the Chinese competition. To put it even more clearly: the Volkswagen ID.Polo is the most sensible electric car of its kind.