Best Volkswagen Electric & Hybrid Cars 2026: Complete ID Range Guide & UK Salary Sacrifice Savings
Source: Volkswagen Newsroom
Volkswagen has positioned itself as Europe's leading electric vehicle manufacturer in 2026, with a comprehensive UK lineup spanning £30,860 to £68,960. The German manufacturer has an ambitious transformation strategy involving $130+ billion (USD) in EV investment through 2028, strategic partnerships with Rivian and QuantumScape, and a pipeline of nine new models by 2027.
Most significantly, VW is preparing to launch its game-changing ID.Polo (formerly ID.2) in early 2026 at approximately £22,000, targeting mass-market electrification while developing next-generation platforms that will underpin 80% of future models. In this article, we’ll take you through the current Volkswagen EV lineup, exploring features, performance, and pricing, plus how salary sacrifice can make these electric and hybrid vehicles more affordable for UK employees.
Overview of VW EVs & ID Strategy
Volkswagen has positioned itself as the people's choice for electric mobility, bringing the same democratic principles that made the original Beetle a global phenomenon to the electric age. The manufacturer's wide ID range has been designed to make electric cars accessible, practical, and desirable for mainstream UK buyers.
Unlike premium brands that focus on luxury segments or budget manufacturers targeting basic transportation, Volkswagen electric cars occupy the sweet spot of reliable German engineering at accessible prices. This approach makes VW particularly attractive for UK families and businesses looking to transition to electric vehicles without compromising on quality, practicality, or value.
The ID naming strategy reflects VW's approach - simple, memorable designations that clearly communicate each model's position and purpose. However, VW is now returning to traditional model names, with the ID.2 becoming the ID.Polo in 2026, signalling a shift towards familiar branding whilst maintaining ambitious affordability targets.
VW's Mass-Market Electric Vision
Volkswagen's electrification strategy centres on the belief that electric cars should be for everyone, not just early adopters or luxury buyers. The ID range reflects this philosophy through careful market segmentation, with each model targeting specific customer needs whilst maintaining the quality and reliability associated with German engineering.
From the family-focused ID.4 and the lifestyle-oriented ID.Buzz, every vehicle in the range serves a distinct market segment whilst sharing the same fundamental platform benefits. This mass-market focus has positioned Volkswagen as a natural choice for UK businesses implementing electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes.
The combination of mainstream appeal, strong residual values, and a wide dealer network support makes VW ID models ideal for employee car schemes where reliability and broad appeal are essential. Current UK market performance shows all five ID models available for immediate delivery with competitive government grant eligibility, making VW the most accessible premium electric brand for UK buyers.
VW Compact EVs (ID.3, ID.Polo Coming)
Volkswagen ID.3: The Electric Golf
Starting from £30,860
The ID.3 is a great example of Volkswagen's vision of the electric family hatchback, designed to be as significant to electric mobility as the Golf was to conventional cars. This compact EV has plenty of spare room through its dedicated electric platform, offering Golf-sized exterior dimensions with Passat-level interior space.
What you get:
ID.3 Pure Essential: 170hp with up to 263 miles of range, now from £30,860
ID.3 Pro: 201hp with up to 346 miles of range
ID.3 Pro S: 201hp with up to 361 miles of range
Other trims include: Pure Match, Pro Match, Pro S Match and the GTX Performance
385-1,267 litre boot space and 120kW fast charging
New 52kWh battery options and GTX Fire & Ice special edition delivering 326PS
The Volkswagen ID.3 proves that electric cars can be both practical and engaging. With its rear-wheel-drive layout delivering balanced handling and efficient packaging that maximises interior space, it provides the perfect introduction to an EV for families transitioning from conventional hatchbacks.
Volkswagen ID.Polo: Coming 2026
Expected from £22,000
The upcoming ID.Polo will complete Volkswagen's mass-market electric goals, bringing German engineering to the affordable electric car segment. Originally known as the ID.2, VW has confirmed the production model will be called ID.Polo, marking a return to traditional VW naming.
Expected features:
Target range of 280 miles
Sub-£22,000 starting price, making it competitive with budget petrol cars
Compact dimensions perfect for city or town driving
Entry point to VW's electric ecosystem with full MEB platform benefits
ID.Polo GTI variant is becoming the first electric GTI model
The ID.Polo shows Volkswagen's commitment to democratising electric mobility, meaning that cost-conscious buyers aren't excluded from the electric transformation. Production testing has already begun, with launch expected in early 2026.
VW Electric SUVs
Volkswagen ID.4
Starting from £36,995
The ID.4 delivers on Volkswagen's promise of practical electric mobility for families, combining the elevated driving position and versatility that UK buyers love in SUVs with efficient electric performance. This mid-size SUV represents the sweet spot of the electric market - large enough for family duties yet efficient enough for daily commuting.
What you get:
ID.4 Pure Match: 170hp with up to 297 miles of range, now from £39,550 following £3,090 price reduction
ID.4 Pro: 201hp with up to 346 miles of range
ID.4 GTX: 299hp all-wheel drive with 320 miles of range
543-1,575 litre boot space and 125kW fast charging
Ergonomic interior design with sustainable materials and ambient lighting
The ID.4 proves that family electric cars don't require compromise - with generous interior space, a commanding driving position, and range capabilities that handle the school run and weekend adventures equally well.
Volkswagen ID.5: Stylish Family Alternative
Starting from £41,090
The ID.5 provides the same fundamental practicality as the ID.4 but with a more distinctive coupe-SUV silhouette for buyers who want their family car to make a style statement. This model demonstrates VW's understanding that electric car buyers increasingly want emotional appeal alongside rational benefits.
What you get:
Same powertrain options as ID.4 with up to 339 miles of range
Distinctive sloping roofline without significant compromise to rear passenger space
Premium interior appointments and enhanced technology features
549-1,561 litre boot space maintains family practicality
The ID.5 shows that family electric cars can be both sensible and desirable, appealing to buyers who want their vehicle choice to reflect their personal style.
Premium EVs (ID.7 & ID.7 Tourer)
Volkswagen ID.7
Starting from £51,005
The Volkswagen ID.7 delivers executive-class comfort without the executive-class complications. This spacious saloon combines an impressive range with sophisticated design, making it a smart choice for business users and families who want space, efficiency, and style in one package.
What you get:
ID.7 Pro: 286hp with up to 386 miles of range
ID.7 Pro S: 286hp with up to 430 miles of range
532-1,586 litre boot space and 175kW rapid charging
15-inch touchscreen with augmented reality head-up display
The ID.7 shows that electric saloons can go further and feel better than their petrol equivalents. With its sleek design and spacious interior, it turns every journey into a comfortable, quiet experience that saves you money while helping the environment.
The new Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
Starting from £51,795
The Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer gives you everything great about the ID.7 saloon, plus the boot space your family actually needs. While the standard ID.7 offers 532 litres of boot space, the Tourer extends this to a massive 605 litres, expanding to 1,714 litres with the rear seats folded - that's significantly more cargo capacity than most electric SUVs. The Tourer also features a longer, more practical body design that makes loading easier while maintaining the same impressive range and refined driving experience.
What you get:
ID.7 Tourer Pro: 286hp with up to 372 miles of range
ID.7 Tourer Pro S: 286hp with up to 424 miles of range
ID.7 Tourer GTX: 340hp all-wheel drive with 357 miles of range
605-1,714 litre boot space and rapid charging up to 200kW
The ID.7 Tourer proves you don't have to choose between practicality and sustainability. With generous loading space and excellent electric range, it's the estate that makes electric driving work for real family life.
VW Electric MPVs
Volkswagen ID.Buzz: The Icon Reimagined
Starting from £59,135
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz brings the classic microbus into the electric age, combining nostalgic style with modern practicality. This unique MPV offers flexible seating and generous space, making it perfect for families who want to stand out while doing their bit for the planet.
What you get:
ID.Buzz Life: 286hp with up to 283 miles of range (5-seat)
ID.Buzz Long Wheelbase: 286hp with up to 293 miles of range (7-seat)
ID.Buzz GTX: 340hp all-wheel drive for enhanced performance
5, 6, or 7-seat configurations with up to 2,469 litres of space
170kW rapid charging and optional two-tone paint finishes
The ID.Buzz shows that electric vehicles can be both practical and full of character. With its unmistakable retro design and adaptable interior, it's the MPV that makes every school run feel special while saving you money on running costs.
Volkswagen Plug-in Hybrid Range
Volkswagen’s plug-in hybrid range gives you the freedom to drive on electric power for most everyday journeys, with a petrol engine ready whenever you need extra range. A PHEV offers a smooth, reassuring step into low-emission motoring.
Here’s a clear guide to every Volkswagen plug-in hybrid available for UK drivers now!
Volkswagen Golf GTE
Starting price from £28,895
The Golf GTE blends familiar Golf practicality with plug-in hybrid efficiency, making it an easy step into electrified driving. It’s ideal if you want electric power for most short trips, but still need petrol flexibility for longer journeys or holidays.
Specifications:
Battery: 13 kWh
Power: 245 PS
Electric-only range: up to 43 miles (WLTP)
Charging: ~2.5 hours on a 7 kW home wall box
Comfortable, responsive, and efficient, the GTE suits commuting as well as weekend drives. It keeps the typical Golf feel but adds meaningful savings on fuel and running costs, especially for salary sacrifice users.
Volkswagen Passat Estate eHybrid
The latest Passat eHybrid offers long electric range and impressive practicality, making it a great fit for families and business drivers alike. Its spacious estate layout means plenty of room for luggage, while the efficient plug-in system handles most daily journeys in EV mode.
Specifications:
Battery: 19.7 kWh
Power: 204 PS or 272 PS
Electric-only range: up to 62 miles (WLTP)
Charging: 11 kW AC
Refined and comfortable on long trips, the Passat eHybrid offers one of the most usable electric ranges in the PHEV estate segment. It’s a smart, cost-effective choice for high-mileage users who want space and lower running costs without moving to a full EV.
Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid
The Tiguan eHybrid brings plug-in performance to VW’s most popular family SUV. With a strong EV range and an updated cabin, it’s ideal for drivers who want a practical, elevated SUV feel while still benefiting from low everyday driving costs.
Specifications:
Battery: 19.7 kWh
Power: 204 PS or 272 PS
Electric-only range: up to 62 miles (WLTP)
Charging: 11 kW AC
Smooth, quiet, and versatile, the Tiguan eHybrid handles school runs, commuting and weekend trips with ease. The long EV-only range keeps fuel use low, while the petrol engine gives you full confidence for longer journeys.
Volkswagen Tayron eHybrid
Replacing the Tiguan Allspace, the Tayron eHybrid adds optional seven-seat practicality to VW’s latest plug-in hybrid setup. It’s built for families who need extra room but still want the ability to drive electric for most daily journeys.
Specifications":
Battery: 19.7 kWh
Power: 204 PS or 272 PS
Electric-only range: up to 62 miles (WLTP)
Charging: 11 kW AC
Spacious and family-focused, the Tayron eHybrid gives you the flexibility of seven seats with the efficiency of a modern PHEV. It’s a great option if you want more room than the Tiguan without stepping into a full-size SUV.
Volkswagen Touareg eHybrid / Touareg R eHybrid
The Touareg eHybrid offers luxury SUV comfort with plug-in efficiency, while the R eHybrid adds strong performance for drivers wanting extra power. Both models provide a refined driving experience with reduced fuel use in day-to-day journeys.
Specifications:
Battery: 14.3 kWh
Power: 381 PS (eHybrid) / 462 PS (R eHybrid)
Electric-only range: around 28–30 miles
Charging: AC home charging
Comfortable, well-equipped, and powerful, the Touareg eHybrid suits drivers who want a premium SUV without relying solely on petrol. It’s ideal for long-distance travel, towing, and family life, with the bonus of cleaner, quieter short-distance performance.
Many Volkswagen models also offer mild hybrid (MHEV) or self-charging hybrid drivetrains. These help improve fuel economy, but cannot drive on electric power alone.
Only PHEVs (plug-in hybrids) qualify for The Electric Car Scheme. You cannot lease mild hybrids or standard hybrids through salary sacrifice.
VW Electric Technology & MEB Platform
Volkswagen's MEB (Modular Electric Drive) platform underpins the entire ID range, delivering consistent benefits across all models whilst allowing for diverse body styles and applications. This dedicated electric architecture represents a fundamental advantage over manufacturers adapting conventional car platforms for electric use.
Current MEB Platform Benefits:
Optimised battery packaging delivering flat floors and maximised interior space
Rear-wheel-drive architecture with optional all-wheel-drive for improved handling balance
Standardised charging capabilities with 125kW+ fast charging across the range
Over-the-air update capability with updates every 12 weeks
Shared component architecture reduces engineering costs and supports competitive pricing
Next-Generation Platform Evolution
The MEB+ platform launches in 2026, bringing substantial improvements including cheaper LFP battery chemistry whilst maintaining range and performance. This enhanced architecture will support the ID.Polo and updated versions of existing models.
Looking further ahead, the SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) represents VW's long-term vision, planned for 2028-2029 debut with the electric Golf. This next-generation platform will feature 800V charging capability and software-defined vehicle features developed through the $5.8 billion Rivian partnership.
Advanced Battery Technology
PowerCo's unified cell technology now supports 80% of VW Group EVs, whilst six European gigafactories will deliver 240GWh capacity by 2030. Solid-state battery development continues through the expanded QuantumScape partnership, targeting commercial deployment in the late 2020s.
Charging Infrastructure Integration
Volkswagen has invested heavily in charging infrastructure partnerships through IONITY's network expansion and Elli's access to 600,000+ charging points across 27 European countries, ensuring ID owners have practical long-distance travel capabilities.
Volkswagen Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Benefits
Volkswagen electric cars represent an ideal choice for employees considering salary sacrifice schemes, combining the practical benefits that make electric cars work for daily use with the financial advantages that make them affordable through pre-tax salary arrangements.
Why VW Works for Salary Sacrifice:
Mainstream appeal makes VW electric cars suitable for diverse employee populations
A range of models means suitable options for different roles, families, and budgets
German engineering reputation provides confidence for first-time electric car users
Financial Benefits Through Salary Sacrifice:
The combination of low Benefit-in-Kind tax rates for electric vehicles and Volkswagen's competitive pricing makes ID models particularly attractive through salary sacrifice arrangements. Employees can access German engineering quality whilst saving 20-50% compared to conventional purchase or personal lease arrangements.
For employers, providing Volkswagen electric cars through salary sacrifice schemes demonstrates commitment to environmental responsibility whilst providing genuine value to employees. The practical nature of VW's electric range points to high uptake rates and employee satisfaction, supporting both retention and recruitment objectives.
Salary Sacrifice Breakdown:
A 40% taxpayer who chooses to lease a Volkswagen for 4 years (driving 10,000 miles per annum) through salary sacrifice could achieve monthly savings of several hundred pounds compared to personal leasing.
| Savings breakdown | Volkswagen ID.4 Match Pure | Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Match Pro | Volkswagen ID.Buzz Life Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average monthly salary sacrifice (inc VAT | £630 | £825 | £896 |
| Employee income savings | -£252 | -£330 | -£358 |
| Employee national insurance savings | -£13 | -£17 | -£18 |
| Average benefit-in-kind tax over term | £72 | £94 | £108 |
| Net cost/You pay | £438 | £573 | £628 |
These savings, combined with reduced fuel costs and maintenance requirements, makes driving an EV more accessible for many.
The ID range proves that electric cars can be both sensible and desirable, providing German quality and engineering excellence at prices that make electric mobility accessible to mainstream UK buyers. Through salary sacrifice schemes, these benefits become even more accessible, demonstrating why Volkswagen electric cars represent the democratic choice for Britain's electric future.
If you're a company looking to implement an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, you can book a demo to learn more about The Electric Car Scheme. Or, if you're an employee interested in accessing these savings, you can calculate your potential monthly costs and tax benefits using our quote tool.
Are you an employer?
BOOK A DEMOAre you an employee?
SEE AVAILABLE CARSECS GUIDES AND ADVICE
Ready to Go Electric? Your Guides and Tools to a Smooth Switch
-
How the Scheme WorksFind out how salary sacrifice can work for you or your business.
-
The Charge SchemeSave 20-50% on all charging costs through salary sacrifice - at home, the office, or in public..
-
Complete Employer ProtectionAll employers and drivers are protected from day 1.
-
Used Electric CarsDiscover the most affordable way to drive electric. Cars delivered in 14 days.
You might also like…
Last updated: 11/05/2025
Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms; 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme’s terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions; England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
Copyright and Image Usage: All images used on this website are either licensed for commercial use or used with express permission from the copyright holders, in compliance with UK and EU copyright law. We are committed to respecting intellectual property rights and maintaining full compliance with applicable regulations. If you have any questions or concerns regarding image usage or copyright matters, please contact us at marketing@electriccarscheme.com and we will address them promptly.
