VW's Electric Polo: Pricey, But It Makes a Persuasive Case

Volkswagen’s new small EV, the ID. Polo, carries a nearly €40,000 price tag in Romania as tested, which invites plenty of skepticism. But after a day behind the wheel during a cross-Europe electric tour, the little hatchback proves surprisingly easy to defend. It drives with a maturity that makes its size almost irrelevant.

The ID. Polo’s cabin is a high point. VW has brought back physical controls for the steering wheel, climate, and all four windows, a welcome course correction from earlier ID models. Retro instrument themes, complete with a cassette-style media icon and analog-looking charge gauge, add charm without feeling gimmicky. Build quality and materials land closer to premium than its Renault 5 E-Tech rival, despite sharing a similar footprint.

On the road, the VW shines at speed. At 130 km/h it stays composed and quiet, absorbing bumps without drama and feeling more grown-up than cars a class above. Its 208-hp motor and 52-kWh battery delivered an average of 15.2 kWh/100 km over the tour, about 8% better than the Renault 5, which has less power and a smaller appetite for efficiency gains. A 507-km day needed just one 17-minute charge stop.

The catch is cost. The tested ID. Polo undercuts nothing: at €39,500 it sits €5,300 above a Renault 5 Roland-Garros. The efficiency edge won’t erase that gap quickly, and the steering lacks feedback when pushed hard. Still, for buyers who value refinement, buttons, and long-distance ease, the ID. Polo justifies a closer look.