New VW ID.EVERY1 is £17k electric supermini for all

Taking the baton from the popular (but now discontinued) Up!, the new ID.EVERY1 previews an entry-level EV destined to rival Dacia’s electric Spring, and Leapmotor’s ultra-affordable T03. Here’s all you need to know.

While its name sounds more like a nightclub bouncer’s job description than a compact hatchback, this dinky little four-door looks rather promising for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, there’s that price. VW has promised that it’s cheapest new EV will start from just €20,000 in Europe when it goes on sale in 2027, which should equate to around £17,000 when it hits British roads. But, unlike some of its fellow (unnamed) bargain basement competitors, the ID.EVERY1 doesn’t look like it was lifted straight out of the clearance bucket.

In fact, it’s a well-proportioned, rather cutesy-looking creation. According to VW, the styling follows the Up!’s distinctive and unmistakable design language. Volkswagen Head of Design, Andreas Mindt, highlights that “Our ambition was to create something bold yet accessible. The ID. EVERY1 has a self-assured appearance but remains likeable – thanks to details such as the dynamic front lights and the ‘smiling’ rear. These design elements make it more than just a car: they give it character and an identity that people can relate to.”

Performance, on the other hand, doesn’t sound quite as exciting — at least for the entry model. A newly developed electric motor sits on the front axle and promises to deliver an unremarkable 94 bhp. And, though we don’t know how this will translate to off-the-line acceleration, a top speed of 80 mph suggests it’ll be no hot rod. Those looking for a spiritual successor to the MK1 Golf GTI will need to wait and see if the stunning ID. GTI Concept — as seen at the 2024 Paris Motor Show — ever comes to fruition.

The ID.EVERY1 looks like a much stronger proposition as a practical daily driver. Thanks to a shared MEB platform, VW’s been able to maximise interior space and efficiency. That means the boot will swallow an impressive 305 litres, while four occupants should travel in comfort. And they’ll be able to travel further than you might expect in this electric city runabout: VW promises a range of ‘at least’ 155 miles between charges.

Inside, the concept’s interior is fittingly futuristic, though it doesn’t look unrealistically far from a finished product. As with the majority of new cars, big or small, the ID.EVERY1 sports a large central touchscreen — here, mounted horizontally. Aside from the oblong-shaped steering wheel and the interesting materials used on the dash-top, there’s little else we can say about the cabin’s layout. However, we can report that the EVERY1 will benefit from “particularly powerful” software architecture, meaning that despite its entry-level billing, the baby VW will receive continual updates and new features throughout its lifetime. 

Will it look quite so handsome when it reaches production? Only time will tell. But compared to the contemporary competition, it’s hard to see how this premium-looking yet affordable offering could fail.

Hero image credit: VW