Volkswagen Previews Entry-Level Electric CUV

Volkswagen previews an entry-level electric CUV planned for launch in 2026 in a teaser image issued to the media. The model is seen as critical to building the German automaker’s EV business in Europe, which has seen a raft of cheaper EVs from China grab market share.

As a sister model to the ID.2 hatchback initially previewed as the ID.2ALL concept car last March, the new model is set to replace the internal-combustion-engine T-Cross in VW’s European lineup at an expected starting price of about €30,000 ($33,000) when it goes on sale in selected markets later this decade.

The compact electric CUV revealed by VW boasts an angular design with an upright glasshouse, thin headlamps, large wheelhouses, short overhangs and a distinctive C-pillar treatment with three feature lines.

Likely to take the name ID.2X into production, the 5-seat model is based on VW’s MEB Entry platform, which also underpins the ID.2 hatchback and other Volkswagen Group models, including the Cupra Raval.

VW will offer customers the choice of either a 38-kWh or 58-kWh battery, with a potential for up to 280 miles (451 km) of range on a single charge, along with charging at up to 125 kW on a DC charger.

The ID.2X is to be produced alongside other MEB Entry platform-based models at VW subsidiary SEAT’s Martorell plant in Spain.

Volkswagen is lagging behind some key rivals in EV sales, as well as its own targets set four years ago. Combined global EV sales of VW, Porsche and Audi are less than half that of Tesla and its business in China, long a strength of VW’s global portfolio, is losing ground to new challengers. The EV market in China is expected to post growth exceeding 25% in 2024, but VW’s sales are forecasted to be down at least 7% with an EV market share of just 3.3%, according to GlobalAuto.

Through the first nine months of this year, EVs made up just 8% of VW Group’s deliveries, or 531,500 of 6.8 million vehicles sold. Four years ago, it said it would build 2 million EVs a year by 2025, and EVs would account for 50% of its deliveries by 2030.