VW ID Buzz Cargo review

Until now, the electric van market has been pretty staid. There’s just a handful of models available and they’re all based on legacy platforms shared with diesel models or converted by third parties.

Volkswagen is changing that with its new ID Buzz Cargo. It’s the first commercial vehicle to launch under the German brand’s ID electric sub-brand and, as such, uses bespoke underpinnings designed specifically for electric powertrains.

Based on its size and price, the Buzz sits in the medium van segment and competes alongside Stellantis models such as the Citroen e-Dispatch as well as VW’s own Transporter. It provides a fresh take on an otherwise conservative segment, bringing a combination retro styling and cutting-edge technology.

For fleet decision-makers, the Buzz creates a bit of a conundrum. In some regards it’s the best in class, but in others it’s quite the opposite.

Let’s start with range – a key consideration for any fleet that wants to switch to electric vans. The Buzz is fitted with a 77kWh battery pack that enables it to cover 256 miles on a single charge, according to WLTP.

In our experience, it can manage at least 200 miles with no bother and close to 300 miles in purely urban settings. That firmly puts the Buzz ahead of any current electric van. For comparison, the similarly-priced Stellantis offering manages little more than 100 miles from its 50kWh battery, while the more expensive 75kWh version can only manage around 180 miles in real-world use.

Then there’s the performance. The Buzz uses a single 204PS motor that powers the rear wheels. It sets a new benchmark for electric vans, not only with its potent acceleration but also in the way it delivers its power. There’s no jolting, surging or wheelspinning, like you’ll find in other vehicles. It gets up the road like a well-sorted electric car and takes corners with similar aptitude.

Refinement is also exceptional, in this class. There’s very little noise intrusion in the cab, the motor is silent and comfort levels are high. After you’ve driven the Buzz, any other electric van is going to feel archaic.

From a driver’s perspective then, the Buzz is going to tick all the boxes. It has good range, it’s great to drive and its effortlessly cool. Desirability is probably the least relevant factor for fleet buyers, but for those that are struggling to win driver buy-in to make the switch, the Buzz might be the answer to all your prayers.

There are some considerations that make the Buzz a little less appealing, however. Despite having a similar footprint to the likes of a Vivaro, the Buzz can only carry about the same amount of cargo as a Combo. The loadspace measures 3.9cu m, with a payload of 607kg. A Vivaro-e can carry double the payload and has 5.3cu m of space. If you’re looking purely at carrying capacity, then the Buzz doesn’t appear to offer particularly good value as smaller electric vans can do the same job for around £8,000 less.

The Buzz line-up is limited to a single size and powertrain, but comes in two specification levels. Entry-level Commerce is priced from £38,805 (CV OTR) and comes with black plastic bumpers, steel wheels, front and rear parking sensors, air conditioning, a heated driver’s seat and a central 10-inch touchscreen.

The Commerce Plus comes in full body colour and adds sat-nav, alloy wheels, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control and a heated windscreen.

Volkswagen has set a new bar in the electric van segment, while it may not have the carrying capacity of its peers, the ID Buzz wins back points for its long range, strong residuals and high levels of desirability.