Over the weekend I was tasked with photographing the official press photos of the new Volkswagen ID. Polo for Volkswagen Sweden. The photos were to be used in conjunction with Swedish automotive journalists having the opportunity to test drive the car. The car I photographed, and then had the opportunity to use throughout the weekend, was the ID. Polo Style, one of the higher trim levels.

It gave me a few days with the car and enough time to get a proper feel for how it works in real life. From the very start it becomes clear that this is something different from the classic Polo we have known before. For many years, the Polo has been a very sensible small car, but perhaps not exactly a car that made me long for the next curvy road. With the Volkswagen ID. Polo, however, something happens.

The electric motor fits the Volkswagen ID. Polo

In urban traffic, the benefits of electric drive are immediately apparent. The car is quiet, smooth, and responsive. The immediate response from the electric motor is clearly noticeable when you need to get moving or get into a tight spot, while the overall experience feels relaxed. The steering is light without feeling nervous, and the car is comfortable even on poor roads and uneven surfaces.

It is here that I think the Volkswagen ID. Polo really comes into its own. The format simply fits very well with an electric drive system. It is compact and easy to place, easy to park, and easy to get around in the city. At the same time, it is quiet, responsive, and comfortable. As a city car, the concept feels almost natural.

Built from the beginning as an electric car

Unlike the regular Polo, the Volkswagen ID. Polo is based on the Volkswagen MEB+ platform, which is developed specifically for electric vehicles. This allows Volkswagen to also make better use of the space.

The ID. Polo is 4,053 millimeters long, which actually makes it slightly shorter than the gasoline-powered Polo. Despite this, the luggage compartment holds 441 liters, compared to 351 liters in the regular Polo. With the rear seat folded down, the space increases to about 1,240 liters.

It's a pretty good illustration of what electrification can actually do for a small car. You don't need to make the car bigger on the outside to create more space on the inside.

Style adds a bit more premium feel

The style version I drove also helped make the Volkswagen ID. Polo feel significantly more luxurious than one might expect from a car of this size. This includes, among other things, IQ.LIGHT LED Matrix headlights, LED light strips on the front and rear with illuminated Volkswagen logos, and 3D LED taillights.

Inside, the Style offers sports comfort seats, multi-colored ambient lighting, and ID. Light that also extends into the door panels. Additionally, there is the Mobile Device Key, which allows the mobile device to function as a car key.

The interior feels modern without being overly futuristic. In front of the steering wheel sits a completely digital driver display, but Volkswagen has also incorporated a really charming throwback look. You can choose a layout that mimics the classic analog gauges from older cars. Golf GTI, But it's completely digital. It's actually a pretty small detail, but a very cool one that gives the car more personality.

The ID. Polo fits well. It feels modern and electric, but still like a Volkswagen.

211 horsepower and 452 kilometers of range

The ID. Polo is offered with different power levels and battery sizes. The stronger version I drove has a 155 kW electric motor, equivalent to 211 horsepower, and a battery with 52 kWh of usable capacity.

The official range of Volkswagen ID. Polo Style 155 kW is up to 452 kilometers according to WLTP. DC fast charging can be done with up to 105 kW and Volkswagen states around 24 minutes to charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent.

211 horsepower in a Polo also makes the car significantly more agile than its name might suggest. 0–100 km/h takes 7.1 seconds and the top speed is limited to 160 km/h.

These are hardly extreme performance figures in today's electric car world, but they don't have to be. The combination of direct response, a relatively compact footprint, and front-wheel drive make the car agile and easy to drive, where it will likely spend a large part of its life.

Polon became better as an electric car

And that was perhaps what surprised me most after the weekend with the car. A regular gasoline-powered Polo has never been a car that has excited me particularly. It has been practical, sensible, and done its job. But when the same basic concept is transferred to an electric car, something happens. Suddenly, the format feels completely right.

After a few days behind the wheel, it was primarily the combination I took with me: small on the outside, surprisingly spacious on the inside, agile in the city, comfortable and with an electric drive system that fits the car type very well.

For me, the ID. Polo is simply a better Polo.

Volkswagen ID. Polo Style 155 kW

Price: From approximately 410,900 kronor.
Engine: Electrically permanently magnetised synchronous motor.
Effect: 211 hp (155 kW), 290 Nm.
Transmission: Engine front, front-wheel drive. Single-speed transmission.
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 7.1 s.
Top speed: 160 km/h.
Consumption (WLTP): 1.34 kWh/mile.
Range (WLTP): Up to 452 km.
Battery: 52 kWh net.
Charging Up to 105 kW DC, 10–80 percent in about 24 minutes.
Service weight: Approximately 1,593 kg.
Dimensions (length/width/height): 4 053 / 1 816 / 1 530 mm.