No More Touch Sliders: VW’s ID. Polo Goes Back To Basics
by AutoExpert | 8 January, 2026
Volkswagen is finally doing what drivers have been asking for: bringing real buttons back. The new ID. Polo shows that VW has been listening, and honestly, it’s a relief.
This is the first model shaped by VW’s new design boss, Andreas Mindt, and the change is obvious inside. The confusing touch sliders are gone. Instead, you get proper buttons you can actually feel, plus a classic volume knob that also works for changing songs or radio stations. No more stabbing at glossy panels while driving.
The steering wheel has been cleaned up, too. It’s now more squared-off and uses physical buttons for cruise control and infotainment, which just makes life easier. Under the main screen, VW added a simple row of buttons for climate control and the hazard lights, right where they should be.
VW even updated the software. There’s a nifty retro mode that replaces the digital instrument screen with some virtual gauges reminiscent of the ones from 1980s Golfs. That's a cute “VW remembers where it came from” touch.
The interior is covered with recycled materials, as you’d expect these days, but doesn’t feel cheap. The ID. Polo comes in two battery sizes and three power outputs: 114 hp, 133 hp, or 208 hp to the front wheels. A GTI version is in the works that ups the fun factor to 223 hp.
Battery options include a smaller 37 kWh pack or a larger 52 kWh one that can deliver up to 450 km of range. Charging speeds range from 90 to 130 kW, depending on the version. Prices in Germany start at €25,000.
