Volkswagen opened pre-sales today for the ID. Cross 37 kWh, the new entry point to its electric compact SUV. In Germany, the ID. Cross Trend with this battery starts at 27,995 euros. VW rates it at up to 324 km (about 201 miles) of WLTP range, and DC fast charging from 10 to 80 percent takes about 23 minutes at up to 90 kW, as standard.
The ID. Cross went on sale in mid-July with a 52 kWh battery. The smaller pack is aimed at people who mostly drive in town and commute, and who care most about a low starting price. It’s also one more sign that affordable EVs in Europe are getting easier to find.
What the 37 kWh version gets
The 37 kWh battery comes with a choice of two motors, 85 kW (116 PS) or 99 kW (135 PS), and both top out at 160 km/h (about 99 mph), which VW says is enough for motorway driving. You can get it in all three trim lines: Trend, Life and Style.
Everything else about the ID. Cross stays the same. It is 4,153 mm long, with 475 liters of cargo space plus a 25-liter front trunk for the charging cable. It charges at up to 11 kW on AC, and it can power devices like an e-bike charger at up to 3.6 kW.
The base Trend already has front and rear parking sensors and smartphone mirroring through App Connect. Life and Style add more comfort and tech. Depending on the trim, buyers can add features usually found in bigger cars: Connected Travel Assist, which uses online data for assisted driving and, VW said at launch, can brake to a stop for red lights within its limits, a Harman Kardon sound system, a panoramic roof and 12-way power front seats with massage.
What 324 km and 23 minutes look like day to day
VW rates the ID. Cross Trend with 85 kW at 14.7 to 13.8 kWh per 100 km combined. VW pitches this version at city driving and commuting, where most charging can happen at home or at work.
On a longer trip, the fast-charging time is what counts. Going from 10 to 80 percent uses 70 percent of the battery, so by our math a 23-minute stop puts back roughly 225 km of rated WLTP range. If you need more range for regular long drives, the 52 kWh ID. Cross with 155 kW starts at 36,525 euros and is rated at up to 427 km, charging from 10 to 80 percent in about 24 minutes at up to 105 kW.
More choice at the low end of the market
The ID. Cross is one of four small EVs Volkswagen Group built on its MEB+ platform, alongside the VW ID. Polo (the ID. Polo GTI is on pre-sale too), Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval. All four appeared together for the first time at the Paris Motor Show. VW says the family already has almost 150,000 orders, before deliveries have even started. The two hatchbacks are built in Martorell and the two SUVs in Pamplona, both in Spain.
We develop together where economies of scale and speed are crucial, while at the same time creating independent products with a clear identity for each brand.
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand
That shared approach is what makes these prices possible, and buyers now have several close choices at about the same money. Here is how the 37 kWh models compare, with the 52 kWh ID. Cross for reference, using each maker’s own German figures:
| Model | Body | Starting price (Germany) | Battery (net) | WLTP range | DC 10-80% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VW ID. Polo Trend | Hatchback | 24,995 euros | 37 kWh | Up to 329 km | About 23 min at up to 90 kW |
| Skoda Epiq 40 Essence | SUV | 27,900 euros | 37 kWh | Up to 310 km | About 23 min |
| VW ID. Cross Trend | SUV | 27,995 euros | 37 kWh | Up to 324 km | About 23 min at up to 90 kW |
| VW ID. Cross Life or Style (52 kWh) | SUV | 36,525 euros | 52 kWh | Up to 427 km | About 24 min at up to 105 kW |
Sources: Volkswagen AG, Skoda Auto Deutschland.
The ID. Polo is the cheapest way into the family if you want a hatchback. The ID. Cross and Epiq 40 are SUVs at almost the same price, so the choice comes down to styling, equipment and which dealer is nearby. Skoda has also said an Epiq 35 will start at 25,900 euros in Germany.
Where you can buy it
The prices and figures above are for Germany, and VW is launching the ID. Cross in Europe. Volkswagen hasn’t announced launch plans for the ID. Cross outside Europe. In Germany, the 37 kWh model is on pre-sale now from 27,995 euros, and if you need more room, the ID. Tiguan is the next size up.
Sources: Volkswagen Newsroom (Oct 19), Volkswagen Newsroom (Jul 15), Volkswagen Newsroom (Oct 11), ID. Polo at a glance, Skoda Media.