Volkswagen has begun pre-sales in China for the ID. ERA 9X, the company's first extended-range electric vehicle. Starting at 329,800 yuan ($47,715), the 5.2-meter SUV arrives on April 25 with a 1.5-liter turbocharged range extender under the hood. Yes, Volkswagen is building a car with both a combustion engine and electric motors specifically because the Chinese market demanded it.
Three trims are available: Pro AWD at 329,800 yuan, Max AWD at 359,800 yuan, and Ultra AWD at 379,800 yuan ($54,950). All come standard with dual-motor all-wheel drive.
The EREV Equation
The base powertrain pairs a 51.1 kWh battery with dual electric motors producing 370 kW (496 hp). Pure electric range hits 347 km on the CLTC cycle. When the 1.5L EA211 range extender (105 kW / 141 hp) kicks in, total mixed range stretches to 1,611 km. Fuel consumption sits at 4.57 L/100 km.
The Ultra trim bumps the battery to 65.2 kWh, extending EV range to 406 km and mixed range to 1,651 km. Total system output rises to 380 kW (510 hp). The 0-100 km/h sprint takes 5.6 seconds, which is reasonable for a 5.2-meter, six-seat SUV but won't worry any performance crossovers.
Built for China, by China
SAIC-Volkswagen produces the ID. ERA 9X at its Anting plant. The EA211 range extender is manufactured locally. The LFP battery comes from a CATL-SAIC joint venture. Momenta supplies the R7 autonomous driving system with NOA capability, backed by a 192-line LiDAR, 12 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, and millimeter-wave radar. This is about as localized as a foreign brand gets in China.
Dimensions are 5,207 x 1,997 x 1,810 mm on a 3,070 mm wheelbase. The six-seat (2+2+2) layout competes directly with the Li Auto L9 and the SAIC-backed IM LS9. Drag coefficient is 0.253 Cd with a turning radius of 4.85 meters.
Interior Excess
The cabin features dual 15.6-inch screens plus a 21.4-inch ceiling-mounted display for rear passengers. Audio comes from a 27-speaker "Era Sound" system. Trunk space is 210L standard, 1,014L maximum.
VW adopting the EREV format in China is a concession to local consumer preferences, where range anxiety still drives purchase decisions more than brand loyalty does. Li Auto proved the business case. BYD's DM-i lineup scaled it. Now VW wants a piece. Market entry is April 25, one day after Auto China 2026 opens.
