Volkswagen admits buttons are better in the new ID. Polo

Volkswagen is making big changes to how its electric cars look and feel on the inside. After years of putting almost every control behind a glass screen or a touch-sensitive surface, the German automaker is bringing back something many drivers missed: physical buttons. The new design direction starts with the upcoming ID. Polo, the first of four affordable EVs that the company plans to release soon. It seems the designers finally listened to people who were tired of poking at a screen just to turn up the heater.

The interior of the ID. Polo is a major shift from previous electric cars in the "ID" family. Inside, you will find a 10.25-inch screen for the driver and a much larger 13-inch touchscreen in the middle for navigation and music. But the real news is what sits below that big screen. Volkswagen added a dedicated row of physical buttons for the climate control and the hazard lights. This means you do not have to dig through digital menus while driving just to defrost your windshield. Even the steering wheel has been changed to include real buttons that click, replacing the touch-sensitive pads that frustrated drivers in earlier models.

One of the most interesting features in this new cabin is a rotary controller between the front seats. It sits right next to the cup holders and is used to adjust the volume or skip songs. It is a simple, old-school solution that works perfectly in a modern car. To make the cabin feel more welcoming, Volkswagen is using what they call "Pure Positive" design. This includes using soft fabrics on the dashboard and door panels. It makes the ID. Polo feel more like a cozy living room and less like a cold computer lab.

The designers also added a bit of fun that they call "Secret Sauce." If you are feeling nostalgic for the 1980s, you can press a button to activate the retro display mode. This instantly changes the digital dashboard to look exactly like the gauges from an original Golf I. It is a clever way to use new technology to honor the past.

The car also comes with an updated version of the ID. Light system. This is a glowing strip that runs across the dashboard and now extends into the doors. It uses different colors to give the driver helpful information. Additionally, the new software includes the third generation of Travel Assist, which will eventually be able to recognize red traffic lights and stop signs on its own.

2026 VW ID. Polo interior - source: Volkswagen

In terms of size, the ID. Polo is very similar to the gasoline-powered Polo we already know. It is 159.6 inches long, 71.5 inches wide, and 60.2 inches high. Since EVs do not have a bulky engine or a transmission tunnel, there is much more room for passengers. The battery pack is flat and sits under the floor, creating a low center of gravity and a surprisingly spacious cabin for such a small car. The new electric Polo might be a compact vehicle, but it promises to offer the comfort of a much larger car.

Volkswagen will offer three different power levels when the Polo goes on sale later this year. The entry-level models have a choice between 85 kW (114 hp) and 99 kW (133 hp). These versions come with a 37 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. If you need more zip, there is a high-performance version with 155 kW (208 hp). This model gets a larger 52 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery. With the larger battery, the ID. Polo can travel up to 280 miles on a full charge based on European testing.

The ID. Polo is expected to start at a price of $29,300, and it will make its official debut this spring. As usual, there is a small catch for those looking for the cheapest deal. Some reports suggest that the base $29,300 model might not be available right when the car launches, and there might be a bit of a wait for the most affordable version.

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