This week on the channel +376K views this week

Real buttons return in Jonny Smith's electric Polo review

The Late Brake Show's only new upload finds practical appeal in Volkswagen's EV, but Jonny would spend his own money on a Renault 5.

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The Late Brake Show Story of November 4, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The channel's weekly summary: what went up this week, what is drawing views now, and where the channel stands among similar channels.

NEW VW I.D Polo Full Review - ID Crisis or has Volkswagen got its classless mojo back?

Things we can learn from the video

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3:36Jonny tries the infotainment system, questioning ChatGPT's usefulness while enjoying the retro Mk1 Golf dashboard display.
5:37An acceleration test leads into his assessment of ride comfort, handling and suspension.
20:00The deep boot impresses Jonny, who compares its capacity with the petrol Polo and Golf.
21:44Physical cabin buttons earn approval, alongside stitching details that remind him of older Audis.
24:08Driving modes and regenerative braking get a test on winding country roads.
33:25Jonny rates the Polo as practical and well engineered, but his personal preference remains the Renault 5.

The buttons get a welcome. Jonny Smith reaches the electric Volkswagen ID. Polo's front cabin and greets its physical controls with an audible "And hark!" After trying the integrated ChatGPT assistant earlier in the drive, he has rather less enthusiasm for that particular addition.

"NEW VW I.D Polo Full Review - ID Crisis or has Volkswagen got its classless mojo back?" was The Late Brake Show's only upload this week, reaching about 123,000 views. It is comfortably the channel's busiest video by daily views, taking Jonny from acceleration tests and country roads to the less glamorous business of sitting behind his own driving position.

That practicality gives the review its character: a deep, two-level boot, decent rear-seat room and a retro Mk1 Golf dashboard display all get attention. The video includes a sponsored drinks segment. Jonny's eventual verdict separates admiration from desire: he rates the Polo's engineering and usefulness, but would choose the Renault 5 himself.

Viewers are discussing the return of window switches and steering-wheel buttons, whether an ordinary-looking EV is exactly what's needed, and the merits of that Renault alternative. One particularly observant thread concerns Jonny closing the boot using its inside handle without touching the paintwork.

Across the channel, subscribers were unchanged over the week, while today's viewing is well below its usual daily level. Jim's Automotive Machine Shop had a much busier week among similarly sized motoring channels; Autocar was quieter. Behind the Polo, Jonny's visit to Thatcham Research to explore changing car-theft methods remains his next-busiest upload, followed by the saved-from-scrap Discovery featured here last month.

Published on Trari

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A different discovery todayVideo taking off 70x its usual first dayTalarico, Ossoff and North Carolina's flip run through AP's election-night streamThe Associated Press put its race calls and balance-of-power maps on a single live feed, with cameras inside campaigns in Texas, Michigan and Georgia.Channel: Associated Press · Story of November 4, 2026

What viewers say

Can you believe that it's 2026 and instead of having flying cars we have to celebrate real window buttons.
@sotirbgSee it on YouTube
This normal looking car is what makes normal people buy an EV.
@lokis7230See it on YouTube
20:30 now that is a man of culture. Closing a boot with the inside handle with the perfect force to close without slamming or touching the paintwork. The time I've spent trying to teach my friends how to do this with my car 😭
@chrisogrady28See it on YouTube

6 more comments

Was starting to think you had stopped doing new car reviews! Really enjoyed this. Personally too small for my needs but it’s a nice looking car.
@KiltedBaklavaSee it on YouTube
The GTI is what I'm waiting for. That thing looks awesome. Love the wheels.
@cdangersSee it on YouTube
It has one big advantage over the R5, and that is the usable back seat.
@bibliotek42See it on YouTube
I’m okay with the lower portion of the door being a harder plastic because I won’t be touching it regularly. Double + happiness for no piano black trim to show fingerprints and getting scratched.
@kaboombox1581See it on YouTube
I like that they made the satnav outline curved like a CRT television, subtly retro
@DakarFourByFourSee it on YouTube
I would spend my money on the French offering, purely for looks and excitement. While I think the I.D Polo will have its appeal to a wide audience, I can't fathom why they partnered up with Open AI. Is there a way to permanently disable Chat GPT in this car?
@drink4711See it on YouTube