Volkswagen’s New Chinese EV Starts At Just $17,000

Volkswagen keeps adding more EVs to its Chinese lineup, and the latest one shows just how different the market has become compared to Europe or America. It’s called the ID. Unyx 07, and while the badge says Volkswagen, a lot of the technology underneath comes from Xpeng.

Built by the Volkswagen Anhui joint venture, the Unyx 07 feels like a lower, sleeker sibling to the existing ID. Unyx 06 crossover.

The styling leans heavily into the sporty EV look China seems to love right now, with sharp headlights, dramatic body creases, a coupe-like roofline, and full-width rear lighting. It’s cleaner and more aggressive than most Volkswagens sold elsewhere, though you can still spot hints of the Cupra Tavascan underneath.

Mechanically, the formula is relatively straightforward. The Unyx 07 rides on Volkswagen’s familiar MEB platform and uses a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 228 hp. Power comes from a 60 kWh battery pack, with Volkswagen claiming up to 347 miles of range on China’s optimistic CLTC cycle.

Developed alongside Xpeng, the new China Electronic Architecture reduces the number of control modules by around 30 percent while supporting a much more advanced digital experience.

The cabin packs a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, a 15-inch central touchscreen, a separate passenger display, and a huge augmented reality head-up display stretching 27 inches across the windshield. There’s also an AI voice assistant and Xpeng’s NOA driver assistance system fitted as standard.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the pricing. In China, the ID. Unyx 07 starts at the equivalent of roughly $19,100, with launch pricing temporarily dropping below $17,000. That puts it directly into the fight with cars like the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal 06 EV, and Xpeng Mona M03. A few years ago, the idea of Volkswagen needing Xpeng’s help to stay competitive in China would have sounded unthinkable. Now it feels almost necessary.