Volkswagen Polo Electric Interior Revealed With Physical Buttons

Volkswagen has revealed the interior of the upcoming 2026 ID. Polo electric hatchback, and the big talking point is the return of physical buttons. For anyone who enjoys riding or driving with focus, this feels like a move in the right direction. The German car maker has brought back proper tactile controls for climate, volume, and hazard lights, replacing the touch sliders seen in earlier ID cars. Production for Europe is planned for late 2026. It feels like replacing imprecise touch controls with a proper toggle that works exactly when you need it.

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The ID. Polo follows Volkswagen’s “Pure Positive” design approach, which puts ease of use first. The layout keeps key controls within natural reach, reducing the need to dig through menus. Volkswagen has confirmed that this cockpit setup will feature across future ID models, showing a clear shift towards mixing screens with real buttons instead of relying only on touch inputs, a move that also helps meet new 2026 Euro NCAP safety standards.

Volkswagen ID. Polo: Interior

The ID. Polo interior uses a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a 13-inch infotainment touchscreen at the centre of the dashboard. Both screens sit on the same horizontal line, keeping information clear for the driver.

Backlit buttons placed below the screen control temperature and volume, while a new rotary dial near the cup holders handles media. The redesigned steering wheel also includes direct, physical buttons for driver assistance systems.

Volkswagen has also added a heritage touch through a special “Secret Sauce” display mode. The digital cluster can switch to a Retro Mode inspired by the 1980s Golf I, showing analogue-style speed and battery dials.

The infotainment screen adds a tape-deck style animation, linking the brand’s past with its electric direction through software rather than hardware changes.

Production will take in Spain as it shifts from petrol Polo output to these new 2026 electric models.