Volkswagen has teased us with an electric successor to the iconic Type 2 Microbus for literally decades. Although European customers have been driving the new ID.Buzz for a couple years, it’s only now reaching American shores. But with a price tag rivaling – and exceeding – offerings from Tesla, Hyundai, and even Mercedes-Benz, it’s far from a value proposition. Will shoppers be willing to think with their hearts rather than their wallets?
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ID.Buzz starts at $60,000 but all-wheel drive adds almost $10K
With a base MSRP of $59,995 before destination fees, the VW ID.Buzz was never in danger of being called “budget-friendly.” But if you want all-wheel drive, your only option is to step up to the ID.Buzz Pro S Plus with 4MOTION (that’s the full name), which commands $67,995. Colors not named black or silver cost another $995. Finally, if you want the fancy “smart-glass roof,” you’re out of pocket another $1,495. Your total – before touching the many, many accessories listed on VW’s website – is $72,035.
The top trim level does get you quite a few features that you can’t get otherwise. Although, at this price point, you might expect some of them to be standard features.
Along with all-wheel drive you get a head-up display, trick retractable trailer hitch, a 360-degree camera, and some additional storage space. Surely the limited-run ID.Buzz 1st Edition has more excitement built in?
ID.Buzz 1st Edition offers some savings and special equipment
If you don’t think the funky bus is special enough as-is, VW is happy to sell you an ID.Buzz 1st Edition. Rear-wheel drive versions start at $67,045 and all-wheel drive versions require $71,545. It’s essentially a fully-loaded car (including the glass roof) with unique 20-inch wheels and some different badging. No special paint. No unique interior. No plaques or commemorative swag. Not exactly what you were hoping for? Us either. I guess we’ll take the – albeit meager – savings where we can get it.
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There are lots of family-friendly EV alternatives
The ID.Buzz can currently tout that it’s the only electric minivan on the market. But does that really matter? Minivans are already a dying segment, and there are a whole mess of SUVs that are more affordable and better performers than the ID.Buzz. Kia’s three-row EV9 starts at around the same price as the ID.Buzz and holds the same number of passengers, while offering 70 miles more of range in the Light Long Range RWD version.
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And if, by chance, you aren’t looking to take advantage of the van’s seven-seater capabilities, the many mainstays in the electric SUV segment all offer dramatically better value. Tesla Model Y offers 100 miles more range and similar straight-line speed. Luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz even offer more affordable solutions, like the Mercedes-Benz EQB – which tops out at around where the ID.Buzz starts. It’s a similar story with vehicles like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and even the Rivian R1S and Model X aren’t far from the top-trim price point.
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Final thoughts
We’ll admit: there is no direct competitor for the ID.Buzz. If you are only shopping for a fully-electric minivan – and nothing else – you’ve found your vehicle.
Otherwise, choosing to buy one is an emotional decision based on (admittedly pretty cool) looks and lifestyle. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, it may have been an easier ask if the van’s pricing was at least remotely enticing. The original Type 2 Microbus was a success thanks to its relative simplicity, affordability, and space. The new one appears to be coasting.
About the author
Steven Paul
Contributing Writer, Autoblog