From EV Review Ireland.
Is the Volkswagen ID. Polo the affordable, game-changing European electric hatchback we’ve all been waiting for? Reporting live from the international press launch in Vienna, Austria, Derek Reilly gets behind the wheel of Volkswagen’s all-new small EV for Nevo EV Review!
With an entry-level headline price starting under €20,000 in Ireland (~€21,400 on-the-road), we test the top-spec Style trim with the larger 52 kWh battery pack (454 km WLTP range). We examine the updated MEB Entry / MEB+ platform (front-wheel drive with 4-wheel disc brakes), walk around the exterior design with its IQ.Light light bars and 19-inch wheels, inspect the class-leading 441-litre dual-level boot (expanding to 1,240L), and evaluate rear passenger comfort.
Then, we take it out onto Austrian backroads and the Autobahn at 130 km/h to test motor responsiveness, suspension tuning, real-world energy efficiency, and Travel Assist 2.0.
Video Chapters
[00:00] Intro: Volkswagen ID. Polo International Press Drive in Vienna
[00:48] Irish Pricing & Trims: Starting Under €20k (Trend, Life, and Style)
[01:20] MEB+ Platform: Front-Wheel Drive & Upcoming GTI Variant
[02:00] Nevo EV Show 2026 Announcement: RDS Simmonscourt (Nov 7–8)
[02:25] Exterior Dimensions & Wheelbase: Compact 4.05m Body with 2.59m Wheelbase
[03:00] Front End Design: Illuminated VW Badge, Full-Width Lightbar & IQ.Lights
[03:31] Wheel Options (17" to 19"), Exterior Colours & Under-Bonnet Inspection
[04:12] Charging Specs: Front-Right Port, 11 kW AC & 105 kW DC Fast Charging
[04:36] Battery Chemistries & Range: 37 kWh (315 km) vs. 52 kWh (454 km WLTP)
[05:06] Side Profile: Flush Door Handles, Keyless Entry & Retractable Mirrors
[05:45] Rear Styling: Rear Window Wiper & Animated "Whiskey Glass" Tail Lights
[06:24] Class-Leading Practicality: 441L Boot, Underfloor Storage & Harman Kardon Sub
[07:05] Cargo Expansion: 60/40 Split Seats Dropping to 1,240L & Towing Ratings
[07:44] Rear Seat Cabin: 3x ISOFIX Points, Legroom & Headroom Evaluation
[17:00] Austrian Test Drive: Real-World Efficiency (16.4 kWh/100km) & ~340 km Range
[18:25] Ride Quality & Handling: One-Pedal Drive & 4-Wheel Disc Brake Upgrade
[19:00] Linear Steering Dynamics & Daily Driving Refinement
[19:35] Market Rivals: Comparing ID. Polo to Renault 5, MG4 Urban & Leapmotor B05
[20:12] Autobahn Speed Run: 130 km/h Travel Assist 2.0 & Cabin Noise Isolation
[20:55] Final Verdict & Outro
Top Features of the Volkswagen ID. Polo
Disruptive Pricing Starting Under €20,000: Debuts with an aggressive Irish entry-level headline price of €19,885 (~€21,400 on-the-road after dealer delivery and registration charges) [00:54], directly challenging budget rivals in the B-segment EV space.
MEB+ Front-Wheel Drive Architecture: Built on Volkswagen’s dedicated front-wheel-drive EV platform [01:20], delivering enhanced packaging efficiency with a 2.59-meter wheelbase in a compact 4.05-meter footprint [02:25].
Class-Leading 441-Litre Boot Capacity: Outclasses standard hatchbacks with a massive 441-litre luggage area [06:24], featuring an adjustable dual-level floor, underfloor storage for a full suitcase and Harman Kardon subwoofer [06:40], expanding to 1,240 litres with the rear seats folded [07:11].
Two Battery Sizes (Up to 454 km WLTP): Offers a standard 37 kWh pack (315 km range, 90 kW DC charging) and a flagship 52 kWh pack delivering up to 454 km WLTP with 105 kW DC fast charging (10% to 80% in approximately 24–25 minutes) [04:36].
Major Brake & Chassis Overhaul: Ditches the controversial rear drum brakes of early MEB vehicles in favour of 4-wheel disc brakes front and rear [18:47], delivering smooth, progressive pedal feel paired with calibrated one-pedal driving regen [18:43].
Triple ISOFIX Safety & Practical Towing: Features three dedicated ISOFIX anchors (two on the outer rear bench and one on the front passenger seat) [07:44], plus rated towing capability of up to 750 kg unbraked and 1,200 kg braked [07:32].
Distinctive IQ.Light Signature: Showcases IQ.Light matrix illumination, full-width front/rear lightbars, illuminated front/rear Volkswagen badges on Style trims [03:06, 06:04], and distinctive "whiskey glass" taillight graphics [05:59].
Autobahn-Proven Cabin Refinement: Exhibits quiet acoustic isolation and composed high-speed tracking at 130 km/h on Austrian motorways, supported by smooth automated speed adaptations via Travel Assist 2.0 [20:16] and real-world efficiency of around 16.4 kWh/100km [17:21].
Nevo’s Website – https://www.nevo.ie/
Nevo’s Twitter – https://twitter.com/nevoireland
Nevo’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nevoireland/
Nevo’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/nevo-co
Derek’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/reilly.derek
Derek’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekreilly/
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