When the Volkswagen ID. Polo goes on sale later this year, it will feature an interior that goes back to the essentials with more physical buttons and a retro-inspired dashboard that's a nod to the company's past.
The overall look and feel of the ID. Polo's interior focuses on creating a sense of space and also cosiness through some of the material choices. A two-spoke steering wheel has a flattish top and bottom and features large, squarish multifunction control pads with physical buttons that look as if they'll be easy to use.
Ahead of that is a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, which is pretty much par for the course in modern cars today. Volkswagen's designers have added some whimsy by creating selectable instrument displays that look like the original Golf.
At the centre of the dash is a 13-inch touchscreen that's within easy reach for both driver and passenger. It replicates the infotainment system currently seen in other Volkswagen models, but like the instruments, it features some subtle retro touches, such as a tape cassette to show what media is playing.
Aside from the usual smartphone mirroring systems, there are permanent shortcuts across the base of the touchscreen for seat heating and air conditioning functions. Better still is that Volkswagen has added a bank of proper buttons below the central air vents for adjusting temperature controls and other functions. The centre console is useful for storage, as the drive selector is positioned on the steering column, as in other Volkswagen ID. models. A simple volume knob sits ahead of the cupholders, and there's further storage ahead and underneath, including USB-C charge ports.
The driver's door also sees a return to physical buttons and door release latches that lift from the end of the armrest. Soft fabric material wraps around the tops of the doors and across the front of the dashboard, as well as along the inside of the centre console, meaning occupants aren't coming into direct contact with any harder materials.
Volkswagen's Head of Design, Andreas Mindt, describes the car by saying: "With the ID. Polo, we wanted to create an interior that feels like a friend from the very first encounter. Clear physical buttons ensure stability and confidence, warm-looking materials make it really likeable, and loving details such as our new retro skins ensure that the unmistakable Volkswagen look shines through. The ID. Polo is a compact car with a big heart - Pure Positive in its purest form.”
Sustainability on the inside
One of the key focus points of the Volkswagen ID. Polo was to make it as sustainable as possible, and that extends to the interior and the materials used throughout. All of the textiles used in the doors and seats, including the upper sections of the cabin headliner and carpets, are produced entirely from recycled polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic obtained from PET bottles. Higher-spec versions will also utilise a seat fabric made by a company called Seaqual, which also supplies Cupra, that is made from recycled ocean plastic.
How big is the Volkswagen ID. Polo's boot?
Even though the ID. Polo is a compact car, it packs in a lot of boot space, thanks in part to a clever rear axle design. When all seats are in use, the ID. Polo still manages 435 litres of boot space.
You can read all about the technical aspects of the Volkswagen ID. Polo by clicking here.