Volkswagen's Tiny Electric SUV Will Arrive In 2026

Volkswagen has confirmed that it will introduce a new all-electric compact SUV, which will enter production in 2026. The unnamed newcomer will be manufactured alongside the ID.3 compact hatchback at the company's Wolfsburg plant.

The automaker hasn't shared many details but said the vehicle will compete in the "high volume A-segment." In Europe, this segment is the smallest categorization for passenger cars and usually comprises city runabouts like the Fiat 500.

Volkswagen's current entrant in this class is the Up, which has been around for 12 years. The funky little hatch is available as the all-electric e-Up and SUV-style Cross derivative. Given that the Up is so old, it would be safe to assume the new A-segment SUV would replace the e-Up and provide the Volkswagen Group with an affordable and compact SUV. It will likely be based on the upcoming ID.2, previewed by the ID. 2all concept.

Styling it after a crossover makes much sense, as even budget buyers desire rugged styling cues and increased ground clearance. In Europe and other markets, the Suzuki Ignis and Fiat Panda Cross have popularized the A-segment crossover. Given the size, we don't expect this new EV to be offered in the United States.

The automaker revealed this new information while detailing new plans for its expansive factory network. To reduce complexity, streamline operations, and increase efficiency, VW will be "systematically bundling vehicles based on the same architecture across all brands in our plants," said Christian Vollmer, Board of Management member for Production.

This will save on investments and allow the automaker to produce several vehicles (based on one platform) at one plant. With that in mind, we expect the new electric SUV to utilize the MEB platform that underpins the ID.3 and the ID.4, to name a few VW Group models.

The new Tiguan LWB derivative (American models will be rebadged Tayrons) will also be manufactured at this facility. Interestingly, future SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) based vehicles - like the future all-electric Golf - will also be built at the Wolfsburg plant. The Project Trinity vehicle will be produced at the Zwickau facility. This range-topper was scheduled to arrive in 2026, but development delays forced VW to push back the launch.

"It is all the more important that we prepare our individual plants and the Volkswagen production network in Germany for the future. Within the context of our performance program, this newly approved vehicle allocation plan will make a substantial contribution to a strong, competitive VW brand," said VW CEO Thomas Schafer.

Getting back to the new models, we've known for some time that Volkswagen was planning to introduce electric SUVs. At the time, the company described the trio as a compact crossover (possibly the vehicle described above), a midsized model (electric Tiguan, perhaps?), and a range-topping luxury model.

The next few years will be hectic for the German car company, as it plans on introducing eleven EVs. "By 2027, we as a brand will be bringing eleven new electric models onto the market," said Schaefer ahead of the IIA Mobility show this year. Let's hope the delightful ID. GTI is one of them.