The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is lastly right here—properly, technically, it has been right here, however solely in Europe in its customary wheelbase configuration. Now it is lastly coming to the States. Forward of that, Volkswagen revealed the pricing and preliminary specs for the U.S. market this morning.
There’s only one downside: folks aren’t precisely completely happy in regards to the worth of VW’s iconic van.
At a beginning worth of $59,995, persons are undoubtedly anticipating fairly huge issues. In spite of everything, that worth is not precisely low-cost—not for minivans, and positively not for electrical autos. Plus, the Buzz was considered one of two halo automobiles for the ID nameplate that the automaker has been promising for years, so in fact it’s going to be full of options for the cash. (The opposite halo automotive, by the way in which, was alleged to the ID.7 sedan, however that has since been “indefinitely postponed” and presumably canceled for the U.S. market.)
However options aren’t the priority right here.
Vary and efficiency to cost are the first downside for many critics.
From its single 282-horsepower electrical motor, the VW ID. Buzz is barely capable of provide 234 miles of EPA-estimated vary in rear-wheel-drive type. With an additional motor, it bumps the AWD model of the bus to 330 horsepower however right down to 231 miles of all-electric vary.
It isn’t like VW gave the Buzz a tiny battery, both. The Germans stuffed a 91-kilowatt-hours of cells into the van, giving it tons of juice to sip on whereas placing round city. However 230 miles is not sufficient at that worth level, in keeping with critics.
“I knew it was gonna be costly, however that is an excessive amount of for these miles,” wrote one person on Reddit. “Was a enjoyable thought for a bit.”
Initially, many people had been anticipating VW to not less than obtain round 260 miles of vary out of the ID. Buzz. Whereas nonetheless not glorious, it feels not less than a bit extra in-line with one thing drivers will take out for road-tripping—and that is one thing spacious just like the ID. Buzz would really feel proper at residence doing.
Actual-world freeway miles are being introduced into be query as properly. These figures will not be seen till it is truly in some palms, however between chilly climate, an extended wheelbase than Europe’s mannequin, and the shape issue of a clean brick, it is possible that drivers might see properly under 180 miles of real-world vary on highway journeys pushed at freeway speeds.
Many window customers are placing the ID. Buzz up in opposition to the Kia EV9. Kia’s electrical flagship SUV begins at $54,900 with 230 miles of vary. Its Mild Lengthy Vary RWD mannequin catapults to 304 miles of vary for $59,200—just below the bottom worth of the Buzz. Nonetheless, Kia can be providing $7,500 in Buyer Money for the automobile, plus 0% financing for 48 months, which carry the SUV down significantly in worth.
Nonetheless, it is not precisely a direct competitor to the ID. Buzz.
All of it comes again right down to brass tacks; the sticker worth. It will get worse while you choice out Buzz in larger trims, contemplating that the Professional S Plus comes out to $67,045 after vacation spot fees. It is arduous to justify simply 231 miles of vary at that eye-watering quantity with out even the possibility of the federal EV tax credit score being utilized resulting from its last meeting location in Hanover, Germany reasonably than the U.S.
“A bit expensive for the vary,” stated one other Redditor. “Hoped the vary can be about 280-300 mile vary. And that worth can be about $55k-65k. It’s completely priced if the $7,500 tax credit score was in impact for it, however sadly, it’s not.”
“That is much more than I believed it might be. I suppose I am out, however will probably be enjoyable to observe.” wrote one other. “It’s like VW did not be taught something from all its earlier makes an attempt to overprice a automotive.”
Again in 1974, a Volkswagen Sort 2 Kombi price proper round $4,000. That is a hair below $27,000 in 2024 bucks when accounting for inflation. The low worth of the Bus was one of many causes that it was such successful—to not point out that it low-cost to take care of and intensely spacious. This new ID Buzz not less than ticked two of these packing containers, however low-cost to purchase it’s not.
Will the ID. Buzz be an amazing van? Most likely. It is truly bought plenty of redeeming options. There is a very minimal hit for all-wheel-drive of simply 3 miles, it seems to be infinitely cooler than the rest available on the market (of which, nothing else appears to be a direct competitor), and It is mainly storage on wheels. With all of its house, it appears to be the right “solely automotive” for households of 5 or extra to haul stuff round every single day for work, the children to sports activities observe, and nonetheless make room for an impromptu journey to the grocery retailer.
Sadly, that additionally makes it an amazing road-tripper, which is nullified by its sub-par vary.
“I predict a large miss right here within the US. Any EV being produced that’s sub-250 mile vary—with nearer to 210 being actuality with load and real-world driving—is just unacceptable in 2025 and past,” wrote Kevin Corridor, a member of an ID. Buzz Fb group. “And people worth factors for a van? I’m an enormous ID. Buzz fan, however as soon as the early adopter buzz’ of the oldsters having to have the primary ones wears off, I predict that they are going to turn into a dream for incentive-laden leases.”
The fact is that Volkswagen wants a win within the U.S. market. The Buzz might have been that win, and if nothing else it’s going to function some free Cybertruck-esque advertising and marketing that convinces people to take a look at the ID household of autos even when they do not purchase the ID. Buzz.
I am actually rooting for VW right here, however the actuality of this explicit mannequin pulling the automaker out of an EV gross sales hunch feels fairly low.
So, pricey readers, what’s your opinion on the VW ID. Buzz? Will or not it’s a distinct segment hit with those that actually desire a fashionable VW Bus, or will it flop over the value? Let me know within the feedback.