Guide to Volkswagen EVs

Volkswagen translates quite literally from German as “people’s car,” reflecting the brand’s founding principle to manufacture an affordable, accessible car for the average, middle-class citizen. 

Volkswagen was initially established in 1937 by the German Labour Front, and revived after World War Two by a British Army officer, Ivan Hirst. The first car to come out of the manufacturer was the absolutely iconic “Type 1,” better known as the Volkswagen Beetle – widely regarded as one of the most influential cars of the 20th century. 

After the war, Volkswagen played a huge part in German regeneration, and the company went on to produce some of its most recognisable cars, including the Golf, Polo, Passat and Scirocco.

In recent years, Volkswagen have focused on building up a broad range of electric models, from punchy hatchbacks to flagship SUVs, with an offering in every segment. With even more models on the way over the next few years, there is undoubtedly a Volkswagen for everyone.

ID. Polo

A classic, now electric - the Volkswagen ID. Polo certainly carries the DNA of the previous models, with a recognisable Polo face, shape and charm. 

The interior is adorned with your typical digital displays, as well as physical buttons for heating and window controls, the positioning of which is intended for ease of use and intuitive access to key functions.

Premium materials contribute to the open, airy feeling within the cabin, and little touches such as a “retro” skin for the digital dials and central screen add some nostalgic familiarity and charm.

On the practicality front, a 441-litre boot and estimated range of between 230 and 280 miles make the ID. Polo a suitable electric city car for a huge range of people, including families.

ID.3 

The Volkswagen ID.3 is the car that started the next big chapter in the Volkswagen history book, bringing the brand forward into the electric era. 

The face of the ID.3 is friendly, and when paired with the distinctive headlights, creates a recognisable, modern appearance. A huge range of trim levels and paint colours also allow you to customise the ID.3’s friendly character to suit your tastes.

As a purpose-built electric car, the cabin floor is completely flat, lending it a spacious and more practical feel for passengers. With plenty of cubby spaces throughout the cabin and a 385-litre boot to top it off, it makes for a great compact family car.

^{*Larger battery Pro S models are four seats, sacrificing the rear middle seat to accommodate the weight of the battery}

ID.4 

The ID.4 is a practical, mid-size family SUV, similar in size and personality to the petrol-powered Volkswagen Tiguan. 

The luggage compartment boasts a capacity of 533 litres, which extends to 1,565 litres with the rear seats down. If this isn’t enough for you, the ID.4 is also equipped with roof rails and has the option of a tow bar, with an impressive 1,000 kg towing capacity.

A low-set, minimalistic dashboard and a floating central touchscreen give the car’s interior a refined, clean look. If you tend to prefer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on your travels, you’ll be glad to know you can use them seamlessly on the 10-inch central touchscreen.

ID.5 

Quite the style-focused SUV, the Volkswagen ID.5 features a lower, more aerodynamic coupe-style roofline than the ID.4, but thankfully still delivers an impressive 549-litres of boot space. 

The ID.5 has a raised floor to accommodate the batteries between the wheel axles; as a result, it is easier to slide in and out of than a traditional ICE model, with the bonus of wide door openings to make loading cargo, or children, refreshingly easy. 

With the addition of three ISOFIX points and top tether anchor points for car seats, the ID.5 is a great option for families who want something a little sleeker than your average SUV.

ID.7

Available as a saloon or a tourer, the ID.7 is the natural EV progression for Volkswagen Passat lovers. It's packed with heaps of storage space, 532-litres of boot space to be exact, and covers a great range.

While the standard battery provides up to 383 WLTP miles in the ID.7 Pro edition, the larger battery can extend range up to 434 miles WLTP – making it a strong contender for those regularly travelling long distances.

Designed with a focus on premium comfort, the ID.7 boasts luxurious features such as heating and massaging seats with electric adjustment, as well as plenty of legroom to go around.

^{*The Tourer (estate) version exists across all three trims, with a boot size of 605 litres and only marginally reduced range, and 0.1 seconds slower 0-62 times}

ID. Buzz 

The charming, smiling-faced Volkswagen ID. Buzz evokes the lovable looks of the iconic Type 2 campervan, a staple of the 1950s and 60s, even down to the eye-catching two-tone paint.

With upright proportions, 360-degree parking cameras and huge amounts of glass, the car is surprisingly easy to place and park, while being hugely practical and spacious. And, with up to 286bhp to make use of, it has all the responsiveness you could ask for from a large car. 

The Buzz is available in a 5-, 6- or 7-seat configuration, and for added practicality, has sliding doors on both sides – with a little customisation, the van can also be used for zero-emission camping trips. The Buzz is also available as a cargo-only version, providing a stand-out electric identity for your business.

Upcoming models to look out for  

The Volkswagen ID. Cross

Revealed in late 2025, the ID. Cross is an upcoming compact SUV, combining smart technology, bold design and real-world practicality. Whilst the fully finished car hasn’t been revealed to the public yet, it is worth keeping an eye on if you want a car that offers great value for money, while being spacious and city-suited.

With hundreds of new Volkswagen cars in stock across our nationwide network of Volkswagen dealerships, your next Volkswagen is at Vertu.

We can support you with Volkswagen service plans and Volkswagen servicing & MOTs, so you and your Volkswagen can stay in top shape for many miles to come.

Pop into your local Vertu Volkswagen dealership and explore our selection of high-quality cars, chat to our friendly staff, or take a test drive.