Currently reading: New 2021 Volkswagen ID 6 revealed as China-only electric SUV

Largest member of VW's ID family of EVs offers seven seats and an emphasis on roominess

Volkswagen has unveiled the new ID 6, a China-only large SUV with up to seven seats that will go on sale later this year, ahead of the Shanghai motor show.

The new machine is the largest production model yet from Volkswagen’s rapidly growing ID range of electric vehicles, which are all based on the firm’s MEB architecture, so it's positioned above the ID 4 SUV.

As a China-only model, the ID 6 is significant in showing both the versatility of the MEB platform for vehicles of different sizes and Volkswagen’s ability to use it to more cost-effectively produce a region-specific product.

The ID 6 will be offered in China in two different versions, with one built by each of the firm’s two largest joint ventures. SAIC-VW will produce the coupé-styled ID 6 Crozz at Anting near Shanghai, with FAW-VW producing the more rugged ID 6 X in Foshang in southern China.

98 Vw id 6 official images static rear

The ID 6 Crozz and X will be mechanically identical, with both offered with a choice of 58kWh or 77kWh batteries, offering a respective official range of 271 and 365 miles on the Chinese NEDC test cycle.

As standard, the ID 6 will provide rear-wheel drive using a single motor mounted on the back axle, with a choice of 177bhp or 201bhp. A 301bhp twin-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, which will be seen in the UK on the forthcoming ID 4 GTX, will be offered with the larger battery.

In the 4Motion-branded top spec, the ID 6 Crozz will be capable of 0-62mph in 6.6sec, with top speed limited to 99mph. The more boxy ID 6 X is 0.1sec slower on the same sprint.

At 4876mm, the ID 6 is around 300mm longer than the ID 4, which, Volkswagen says, enables it to offer far greater internal space. The wheelbase is 2965mm, while the machine is 1680mm tall. It weighs 2280kg and is offered with 19in to 21in wheels.

97 Vw id 6 official images static aerial

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The extra interior space means the ID 6 is available with a third row of seats. A panoramic glass roof will feature, with an opening sliding roof  an option. 

China is both Volkswagen’s largest market and the largest market for electric vehicles, making it crucial in the firm’s ambitious sales targets for its ID-branded EVs. Including the ID 4 and the two ID 6 variants, Volkswagen says it will offer eight ID models in China by 2023.

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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whalley 22 November 2021

Poke fun if you want, but that much space would sell here too. VW/Audi group would just struggle to fit it into their rest of market offering. If it sold for the China equivelent price here it would destroy the market for ID4 and its Audi / Seat / Skoda siblings. I'll bet Skoda is itching to release a cheap version here though. Ideal for families with pushchairs, baby seats and other stuff to use. Maybe not the market for timed laps round the Ring of course. Sensible. Something has to be.

MrJ 18 April 2021

Dull as ditchwater, about as much visual pizazz as a cupboard on wheels.

Peter Cavellini 17 April 2021

Fridge time, mmmmm, mmmm, yep, as interesting as the white good in your House, it's another SUV.