Real Buttons Are Back In The WV ID. Polo, And We’re Here For It
by AutoExpert | 5 January, 2026
Buttons are back. Real ones. Honestly, that’s the best news to come out of Volkswagen in a while.
VW has finally given us a look at the interior of its new ID. Polo ahead of its official reveal later this year, and the interior really feels like the brand has taken a deep breath and started again. It’s the first car to have been shaped entirely under new design chief Andreas Mindt, and his influence is clear. The whole cabin is much more about making the driver’s life easier than about showing off tech.
The biggest change is what’s gone. No touch sliders. No haptic panels. No guessing whether the car actually understood your finger. Instead, you get proper buttons and knobs that work the way they always have. The steering wheel is new too. It’s a bit squarer and brings back real buttons for cruise control and media. You press them. They respond. Simple.
Behind it sits a 10.25-inch digital driver display that’s now mounted where it should be, in the dashboard, not awkwardly stuck to the steering column like in the ID.3. VW even added a fun touch here. With a press of a button, the screen switches to retro graphics inspired by old Golfs, complete with throwback dials and old-school vibes.
In the center of the dash, there’s a big 13-inch touchscreen, but VW didn’t go overboard. Underneath it is a clean row of physical buttons for climate control and the hazard lights. There’s also a proper volume knob, which doubles as a track or station selector. It’s the kind of layout you understand instantly.
The cabin feels warmer overall. Hard plastics have been replaced with soft, recycled fabrics on the dashboard, doors, and center console.
Mindt describes the ID. Polo as “an affordable friend for everyday life,” and that pretty much nails it. Physical buttons build confidence. Softer materials make the space nicer to be in. On the other hand, the small retro touches give it some personality.
As for what’s underneath, the ID. Polo will come with two battery options and three motor choices. Power ranges from 114 hp up to 208 hp, with a proper GTI version promised for the following year.
Battery options include a smaller 37 kWh pack as well as a larger 52 kWh unit that should be able to offer up to around 280 miles of range. Charging speeds are a middling 90-130 kW, depending on the variant. And of course, all this rides on VW’s refreshed MEB+ platform.
The price in Germany will start at €25,000, though that’s for later models. At launch, only higher-spec models will be offered across Europe, so expect real-world prices to be more in the €30,000 region. Oh, and if you’re in North America, sorry, this one won’t be coming to your shores.
Overall, though, what’s important is this: VW listened. The ID. Polo feels more considered, more usable, and a whole lot more human. For that alone, it’s worth paying attention.
