Picture an old-school Volkswagen Rabbit with a futuristic makeover. That’s right, VW is bringing us back to the future, and no, we don't need to hit 88mph for this. Meet the VW ID2, the electric car that doesn’t cost an arm or a leg. It's scheduled to roll out in 2025 with a starting price of just $27,000.
For years, we've been on the edge of our Recaro seats, popcorn in hand, anticipating VW's strategy for affordable electric vehicles. After a bumpy ride with the not-so-well-received ID.Life concept, they've come up with an answer: the ID2. A supermini all-electric car that will go toe-to-toe with the Peugeot e 208 and Vauxhall’s Corsa Electric.
Now, let's be real: VW’s journey to the electric universe has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride.
Think of it like a Fast & Furious sequel.
ID3 was a promising start, but it was let down by a shoddy interior and software issues that were frustrating. And then came the ID4 and ID5, trying to climb the EV ladder but with the same baggage, only to face tougher competition from similarly priced rivals. However, then came the brilliant ID Buzz.
VW also showed off a revamped ID3 aimed at smoothing out those early speed bumps and making a U-turn in how people perceive the ID-badged electric cars. And now, they've tossed us the ID2. So, as we gear up to ride into this new electric future, let's see if the ID2 can truly live up to the hype. Could this be the model that drives VW from the pits to the podium in the affordable electric car race? Or will it end up as just another EV rusting in the electric graveyard? Well, let's find out.
Unlike us here in the States, where we love our road trips, Europe is like a cozy neighborhood. The perfect scene for the VW ID2, right? A shorter drive, tighter streets, and more compact countries. Just right! So, Volkswagen is pushing its chips into the center of the table, going all-in on this affordable electric dream, hoping to tip the scales in the low-cost electric car showdown. Why low-cost? Well, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Remember the good ol' days when the original Beetles hit the American streets? Those little bug-eyed wonders were cheap—not even scratching $1,300!
Now, VW is trying to replicate that magic but with a futuristic twist: the ID2, which they hope to push out the door for twenty-seven thousand big ones. As we said earlier, Europe has shorter distances, compact cities, a love for all things small, and, presumably, is more economical. So, the logic goes like this: smaller market, tinier car, less mileage to cover—which all sounds like a sweet deal for our European friends.
If VW pulls this off, they won't just be selling cars; they'll be selling a lifestyle, an ethos—a planet-friendly, wallet-friendly revolution on wheels. All wrapped up in a package that looks so good, it would make a Tesla blush. From the outside, the ID2 sports a sleek physique, with hide-and-seek rear door handles tucked neatly behind the rear window. It's got LED light bars that run from its nose to its tail!
But what about the rear badge?
Well, it's bathed in a red light that's totally in sync with the tail lights. As we mentioned at the beginning of the video, this bad boy pays tribute to the classic VW lineup: The Beetle, Golf, and Polo. It's like VW went back to its roots but came back with a whole makeover. Under its sophisticated shell, the ID2 is built on the MEB 21, a slick, front-drive electric vehicle architecture derived from the MEB platform that props up the rest of the ID family.
It's hitting the market with two battery pack options: a 58 kWh and a 38 kWh. Considering their lean weight of between 3300 and 3500 pounds, which is significantly lighter than the rest of the ID crew, these battery packs promise a range of around 280 miles and 200 miles, respectively. Now, that's a lot of ground to cover on a single charge! The base model is no slouch, packing 223 horsepower under the hood, but the top model is where the real fun begins.
How does 265 horsepower sound to you?
Rumor has it, VW insiders can't help but grin when you mention the GTI alongside this powertrain. With a charging speed of 125 kilowatts, you can go from a near-dead battery to 80% in just 20 minutes. And the MEB-21 battery pack is tucked neatly under the floor and between the axles. However, unlike the rear-driven single-motor MEB models, the MEB 21 tucks all the vital parts—the e-motor, inverter, and other powertrain components—up front under the hood, just like in your traditional front-drive gas guzzler.
But that's why the ID2 promises to be the real deal in the EV market. Welcome to the world of crystal-clear, retina-delighting 12.9-inch infotainment screens. Designed from scratch, this bad boy's menus and graphics are as intuitive as using your smartphone. Remember those headache-inducing, nerve-shredding slider controls? Those are ancient histories now!
It has a traditional volume knob and an AC control panel. The biggest surprise, though, is the rotary dial on the center console. This isn’t just a dial; it helps you navigate through menus and control features on the screen. The dial also has the neat trick of changing the driver's display layout. The ID2 boasts a 10.9-inch digital driver display that's shinier and smarter than before. The VW ID2 designers, not content with their game-changing designs, decided to add more oomph.
They turned their attention to the proportions, embracing the silhouette while giving a swift kick to the trend of oversized glass areas in other EVs. This design tweak keeps the interior cool, easing off that pesky drain on the batter from the climate control system. And you'll find an extensive loading space they've affectionately dubbed "the cellar." It's like a hidden treasure trove for your stuff. All the powertrain components are snuggled up together, which means less copper wire, less weight, and more money saved.
Volkswagen has done a double backflip and ditched the need for a unique production line, Ã la MEB. Now, they've given birth to MEB 21. The game-changer It can pop out of the very same factories currently churning out your beloved Golfs, Jettas, Tiguans, and Atlases. Fancy that An electric car that doesn't need a swanky assembly line. This electric gem measures a neat 4050mm, a touch smaller than Polo. But, oh boy, with a wheelbase stretching to a whopping 2600mm, it's like a Tardis—smaller on the outside, cavernous on the inside.
You're thinking, "But can it accommodate my obnoxious cousins?"
Well, it comfortably sits five.
Take that, clown car!
The ID2 is not just a car; it's a little warehouse on wheels. Underneath those comfy rear seats is a sneaky compartment capable of swallowing up around 50 liters.
Got charging cables? Small bags?
There's room for all.
The boot?
An amazing 440 liters—that's more than the ID3. Lay flat the rear seats, and you get a space equivalent to a small New York apartment—1330 liters.
Need a cooler for your road trip beers?
The ID2 has an additional luggage compartment under the boot floor that can comfortably house two crates of beer.
Who said electric vehicles couldn't be fun?
Now, VW isn't shy about its EV ambitions. The ID2 is just the tip of the iceberg, and within a year of its launch, it'll be joined by a sibling—a similarly sized all-electric SUV. The MEB 21 isn't replacing the MEB. Nah, it's simply flexing its muscles, promising better performance and functionality. Sure, the ID2 might not win a beauty contest, but it's as amazing as any on the market now, and it's also an affordable EV. Priced at about 25,000 Euros (around 22,000 pounds), it's like buying a Tesla for the price of a bicycle.
At this price point, its only competition is the MG4. It's like David going against Goliaths like the Honda E, Fiat 500, Mini Electric, Peugeot e208, and Cooper Born.
But guess what?
Our David is cheaper and just as nifty. There's a slight catch, though. The ID2 is still a concept car. Its production model won't see the light of day before 2025, and it won't hit the streets until 2026. A lot can change in that time. If the final price tag strays too far from the concept, the ID2 might lose some of its charms.
So, where does that leave us with the new kid on the block, the ID2? Is it going to be a game-changer, or is it just another horse in the electric race?
Will it hop to victory, or will it be left nibbling on the dust of its rivals?
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