Volkswagen’s new all-electric ID. Polo has won three German awards within a few weeks of its market launch, most recently a Golden Steering Wheel 2026. It is the overall German Car of the Year 2027 and has also topped a readers’ design poll. The small EV is also one of seven finalists for European Car of the Year 2027.

Volkswagen’s ID. Polo has made a strong start in Germany’s award season. The all-electric small car went on sale only recently. Since then it has won three major German awards, and it is still in the running for the European title.

Golden Steering Wheel in the sub-€25,000 class

The most recent award came on the evening of 10 November. The ID. Polo was given the Golden Steering Wheel 2026 in the Best car under 25,000 euros category. The awards are run each year by the trade magazine AUTO BILD and the newspaper BILD am SONNTAG, and this one was an editorial prize. According to Volkswagen, the judges praised the car’s overall package. They also highlighted that the ID. Polo brings electric driving into a price bracket that many drivers can afford.

Thomas Schäfer accepted the award. He is CEO of the Volkswagen brand, Head of the Brand Group Core and a member of the Group Board of Management.

“Three big awards within a few weeks, and now also the Golden Steering Wheel: the ID. Polo has made a dream start. Above all, however, customers, readers and experts confirm exactly what we wanted to achieve with this car, namely building true Volkswagen cars once more. Affordable, high-quality, suitable for everyday use and easy to operate. In fact: 100-per-cent Volkswagen. The fact that this has been recognised so quickly makes me proud of the entire team”.

German Car of the Year 2027

The week before, the ID. Polo took the German Car of the Year 2027 title. It first won the Budget car category, which covers vehicles with a starting price below 25,000 euros. That category win put it into the vote for the overall award. After two days of testing, it beat the four other category winners to take the top title. The jury was made up of 47 German and international motoring journalists.

Design recognition from readers

Readers of auto motor und sport also backed the car. In the magazine’s Autonis readers’ poll 2026, the ID. Polo came first in the small car category. Volkswagen won other categories in the same poll. The new T-Roc took the Small SUV/Crossover category and the Multivan won the Vans category. Volkswagen says this is the first award for its new “Pure Positive” design language. The company describes it as a clear-cut shape with a likeable look and surprising details.

European Car of the Year finalist

The ID. Polo is also one of seven finalists for European Car of the Year 2027. For the first time in the award’s history, every car on the shortlist is fully electric. The international jury will carry out more test drives and a final evaluation. The winner will be announced on 8 January 2027 at the Brussels Motor Show.

What it means

The awards back up the role Volkswagen has given the ID. Polo: an affordable, practical electric car for a wide range of buyers. In Germany, prices start at 24,995 euros. That keeps it below the 25,000-euro limit used in two of the award categories it won. Volkswagen quotes a WLTP range of up to 454 km (282 miles) for the most range-efficient version. Luggage space reaches up to 1,240 litres with the rear seat backs folded.

Facts: Volkswagen ID. Polo

  • Powertrain: All-electric
  • Power (stated version): 155 kW
  • Combined power consumption: 14.7–13.4 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
  • Range: up to 454 km (282 miles) WLTP, most range-efficient version
  • Luggage capacity: up to 1,240 litres (rear seat backs folded)
  • Price from: 24,995 euros (Germany)
  • Awards: Golden Steering Wheel 2026 (Best car under 25,000 euros), German Car of the Year 2027, Autonis 2026 (small car category)

The ID. Polo is already on sale. The European Car of the Year 2027 winner will be named on 8 January 2027.

Source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com