Last year was not an easy one for the Volkswagen Group, as it was for many automakers. The company’s operating profit fell 53 percent compared to 2024, largely due to factors such as tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, costs related to adjustments to Porsche’s product strategy, and more.
With 2025 behind us, the German giant is looking to bounce back in 2026—starting with product. More than 20 new or updated models are expected across the Group’s brands, and the focus will be on small cars, a segment that has long had a strategically important position in Europe.
Here’s what will happen.
Small Car, But Mighty
Volkswagen ID 2026. Polo prototype
Photo by: Volkswagen
Let’s start with a new family of small models expected to appear in 2026. Several Volkswagen Group brands are developing their products, including the Volkswagen moniker itself. The company is preparing to reveal the ID. Polo — electric version of the gas-powered Polo.
The electric Polo has a complicated development story. It was first previewed in 2021 with ID. The concept lived on, but was later reworked after receiving a lukewarm response. The original design was deemed too unconventional, so the new version will take a more conservative approach, with a familiar style and easily recognizable name.
The car will be built on the MEB+ platform designed for B-segment vehicles and configured for front-wheel drive (the standard MEB architecture is rear-wheel drive). Volkswagen is also planning to introduce ID. Cross, a small crossover roughly the size of a T-Cross.
Skoda will use a similar strategy with the Epiq, which will be the Czech brand’s smallest EV. Meanwhile, the Cupra Raval is expected to be a traditional compact car measuring around 13.0 feet (about 4 meters) long.
- Cupra Raval
- Skoda Epiz
- ID Volkswagen. Polo
- ID Volkswagen. Cross
Of course: More SUVs
ID Volkswagen. Tiguan rendering by Motor1
Photo by: Motor1.com
It’s no surprise that SUVs remain at the center of the market, and the Volkswagen Group is preparing a long list of updates in this segment. The most important one is already on sale: the new Volkswagen T-Roc, the next generation of the compact SUV that, for the first time, offers a full-hybrid powertrain.
Another big launch from Wolfsburg is the next ID.4. Models are expected to change their names—to ID. Tiguan—and received a comprehensive redesign in both styling and technology.
Photo by: Motor1.com
The SUV range will be further expanded with the Skoda Peaq, an electric three-row SUV due for release later this year, along with the new Audi Q7 and Q9. The Q9 will effectively take over as the brand’s flagship from the A8, which is expected to be discontinued.
Audi is also preparing a mid-cycle refresh for the Q4. Meanwhile, Seat’s Arona will get a facelift; it’s been revealed and will go on sale from €22,500. For Porsche, 2026 will bring the new electric Cayenne with a maximum output of 1,156 horsepower.
- Audi Q4
- Audi Q7
- Audi Q9
- Porsche Cayenne EV
- Arona Chair
- Skoda Peaq
- Volkswagen T-Roc
- ID Volkswagen. Tiguan
Everything Else
2026 Audi A2 E-Tron renderings by Motor1
Photo by: Motor1.com
The Volkswagen Group’s plans for 2026 include several additional models. One of them is the new Audi A2—an electric reinterpretation of an early 2000s model, built on the MEB Group platform.
Staying with Audi, the RS5 has just been launched, and attention now turns to the next RS6. This performance wagon is expected to retain the V8 engine while adding a plug-in hybrid system to push output even higher.
Photo by: Audi
2027 Audi RS6 Avant rendering by Motor1
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
On the Volkswagen side, 2026 will also bring a hybrid version of the Golf using the same full-hybrid powertrain as the T-Roc, along with an updated ID.3.
Apart from the Cayenne, Porsche could finally reveal the 718 Boxster and electric Cayman in 2026, after reports of their cancellation were denied. Bentley’s next SUV will also be fully electric—which was previously revealed in early images—while Lamborghini is said to be preparing the Urus SE Performante.
- Audi A2
- Audi RS5
- Audi RS6
- Bentley Urban SUV
- Lamborghini Urus SE Performante
- Porsche 718 EV
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Volkswagen Golf
