Volkswagen ID.2: Redefining Affordable EVs with Style and Innovation

While delays have plagued the launch of several new EV models, Volkswagen’s highly anticipated and most affordable electric vehicle, the ID.2, remains on schedule. The company has confirmed that the entry-level EV will debut as early as late 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the German automaker.

Volkswagen ID 2all electric vehicle concept (Source: Volkswagen)

Unveiled in March as the ID.2all concept, this budget-friendly EV is expected to start at under $27,000 (€25,000). According to Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, the ID.2 represents the future direction of the brand, blending cutting-edge technology with an appealing design.

At the LA Auto Show, Volkswagen’s tech development chief, Kai Grünitz, revealed that the company’s “ID” electric lineup is poised for a significant overhaul. Starting in 2026, Grünitz teased “huge improvements” in technology and design, taking inspiration from iconic models like the Golf.

Volkswagen’s refreshed look will draw heavily from the ID.2 concept. Head designer Andreas Mindt described it as perfectly aligned with the brand’s core values—stable, likable, and infused with Volkswagen’s signature “secret sauce.”

The ID.2’s interior will also embrace a fresh aesthetic, incorporating nostalgic elements from Volkswagen’s heritage. Features like the "Classic" and "Vintage" drive modes will transform the driver display to reflect eras inspired by the Beetle or Golf.

Paving the Way for a New Era

Volkswagen ID 2all “Vintage” mode from the Golf era (Source: Andreas Mindt)

Grünitz confirmed that the ID.2 will launch on schedule in late 2025 or early 2026, serving as a bold new beginning for Volkswagen’s EV strategy. He assured customers that the upcoming changes would be far more significant than anticipated.

Volkswagen is also preparing an SUV variant of the ID.2, set to debut at the Munich Motor Show in September 2025, alongside a sporty GTI model in development.

Built on the new MEB Entry Platform, the ID.2 boasts a range of up to 279 miles (450 km). Volkswagen positions it as “as spacious as a Golf” but “as affordable as a Polo.” Despite being smaller than the Polo, its extended wheelbase provides significantly more interior space.

With the ID.2, Volkswagen aims to redefine the entry-level EV market, combining affordability, practicality, and style to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.