Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo
How does the panel van version of the popular Volkswagen ID. Buzz stack up? John Kendall finds out
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo
How does the panel van version of the popular Volkswagen ID. Buzz stack up? John Kendall finds out
“We’re just admiring your van”, said a man from a small group of people in a small village on the edge of Somerset. It’s not something that happens every day, unless you are driving a VW ID. Buzz, it seems. It could have been the Lime Yellow Metallic colour (£1,035 to you), but I have a hunch that it was the design that caused them to stop and look. The design basics were first shown as the Microbus concept at the Geneva Show 22 years ago. VW can’t be accused of rushing the ID. Buzz. For older people, there’s enough to provoke memories of the VW Type 2 Transporter from around 1970, the “Bay Window” version, while the rear corners have more than a hint of the later, more angular “Type 3”. However you look at it, it’s just a pleasing piece of design. Throw in the colour and it’s not the vehicle to drive around in if you don’t want to be noticed. In fact, our test van later did service in Liverpool ahead of the Eurovision final with Eurovision 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder at the wheel, entertaining passers-by. We gave Sam time off for the road test, though.
Back in the gritty world of road transport, ID. Buzz Cargo is the load carrying variant of the ID. Buzz, flagship of the VW ID. electric car range. We first sampled the ID. Buzz Cargo at its international launch last year. Its design certainly makes it stand out, but we’re here to assess it as a mode of transport. Standard equipment at the business end includes two sliding side loading doors, symmetrical rear doors or a tailgate and wooden floor covering. Our test van came with twin rear doors, which provides a slightly longer load floor at 2,232mm. Wheel arches do not intrude too much and VW says there is enough space for two Europallets in the back. At 3.9m3 of load space, the ID. Buzz Cargo is marginally bigger than a VW Caddy Maxi (3.7m3) and compared with a Citroën e-Dispatch M, or similar sized Peugeot e-Expert/Vauxhall Vivaro-e or Fiat e-Scudo at 5.3m3, it comes up short. Compare the payload too and the electric Citroën/Peugeot/Vauxhall/Fiat competitors offer around 1,000kg payload, some 400kg more than the VW. They cost less too with starting prices of around £36,000 (ex-VAT and PiVG).
“Being able to complete the journey without re-charging or worrying about remaining range was a big help”
Where the ID. Buzz scores is with its range, with a WLTP combined range of 254 miles. We didn’t see more than around 245 miles on a full charge during the mild weather of our test, but it is more than the WLTP combined range of the Stellantis vans with a 75kWh battery pack – around 195 miles. During our test we travelled to Milton Keynes in the ID. Buzz Cargo for the Great British Fleet Event and Awards – a distance of 120 miles. Being able to complete the journey without re-charging or worrying about remaining range was a big help. It would certainly put most van users in the position of overnight charging without using expensive public chargers.
ON THE ROAD
It is a very pleasant vehicle to drive too. The instrumentation and dashboard layout is a carry-over from the ID. car range with relevant information – speed, range, gear selection etc carried on the screen ahead of the driver. This is fixed to the steering column, so moves with it when the steering wheel is adjusted for reach and rake, ensuring that you can always see it. Like other VW models including the Caddy, the screen in the centre of the dash is designed with the functionality of a tablet computer, with a choice of “Apps” and a home button to take you back to the home page. Heating and ventilation controls are separate from the screen, so there’s no need to start searching through menus to adjust the temperature or turn the standard heated seats on or off. The van feels heavy, even without a load, thanks to the battery pack, but with 310Nm of torque from rest, it’s a sprightly performer and in the tradition of the Transporter, handles well. It’s a comfortable long-distance vehicle too. A reversing camera is a big help with manoeuvring, providing a marked image as well as an audible warning of obstacles. What was not so welcome was an over-sensitive driver assistance system that would slam the brakes on if it sensed that the vehicle was too close for comfort to an obstacle. This included a clump of grass on the edge of my driveway, or the walls around it. There’s a fine line between sensing danger and manoeuvring in tight spaces. Erring on the safe side is understandable, but just a bit annoying at times. There is a great deal to like about the ID. Buzz Cargo. It drives well, the design is a head-turner and it is well thought out. From a fleet perspective, it’s a high price to pay for a van with a modest payload when others can carry more volume and payload for less money. Even so, there’s no doubting its desirability from the driving seat.
