Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo Review 2024

Vans aren’t usually bought by the heart rather than the head, but for business owners who want to get themselves noticed, there are a few stand-outs. The Volkswagen ID.Buzz is one. The passenger version was launched first, but does it work as a van? Find out in our full Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo review.

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo is a full fledged electric van – there’s no plug-in hybrid or conventional engine alternative – and it has just a single motor for now, although this will evolve in time as longer-range models with larger batteries are planned.

As it stands, it uses a 77kWh battery and a 204PS electric motor powering the rear wheels. 

The 77kWh battery gives a range of up to 258 miles, which is well beyond what cheaper electric vans such as the Citroen e-Berlingo and the Vauxhall Combo Electric are offering.

The flip-side is that although the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo may appear much bigger than those rivals, it isn’t.

It will only carry one Euro pallet and the payload of 607kg is actually less than that of the Citroen e-Berlingo. A Vauxhall Vivaro Electric will carry twice as much.

Those models are purely functional though. In contrast, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo is a van that will turn heads everywhere it goes, and for sole traders and small businesses that’s a massive benefit, as it’s guaranteed to get you noticed. 

Underneath, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz uses the same platform as electric cars such as the Volkswagen ID.4 and while this explains its payload limitations, it does also give the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo impressive handling – it’s fast, agile and car-like to drive.

The interior is also extremely smart, well made and supremely refined. 

The van is surprisingly keenly priced, too – not cheap, by any stretch, but equally not sold at such a premium that it becomes unappealing as a business purchase. 

Two models are available – the entry-level Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo Commerce 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 Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo Commerce Plus adds body-coloured bumpers, alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control and a heated windscreen, among other features.

Where the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo scores over most rival vans is in its satisfying, car-like handling.

It's unlikely that you’re going to be hurling into corners with the enthusiasm of a racing driver, yet it will surprise you with its agility, grip and sharpness. But then, that’s largely because it’s a car with a van body.

Sharing a base that has to be good enough for the Volkswagen ID.3, Volkswagen ID.4 and Volkswagen ID.5, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo delivers a supple ride even unladen and the 204PS electric motor is eager enough.

Visibility is good all-round, although it is a deceptively large vehicle, almost as long and wide as a Range Rover.

The battery pack has a usable capacity of 77kWh, with a rear-mounted 204PS electric motor driving the rear wheels. The torque output is 310Nm and it’s quick enough for most – just don’t expect it to take off like a Tesla.

Cargo models are three-seaters, but the layout is a bit cosier than in most mid-sized vans with fewer storage cubbies. It’s no Ford Transit up front, but it’s functional enough, while those car origins mean an ergonomic layout.

Safety kit comprises lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with Intelligent Speed Assist, automatic emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection as standard.

You lose adaptive cruise control on the entry-spec Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo Commerce, though.

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo has a load space of 3.9 cubic metres, which is acceptable but not substantially bigger than that of a Vauxhall Combo or Citroen e-Berlingo, along with a maximum payload of 650kg.

The latter is perhaps the biggest downfall for an otherwise brilliant vehicle - the smaller Citroen e-Berlingo has a 751kg payload, and from a functionality perspective it’s probably the better van.

However, that somewhat devalues the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo’s USP, which is its sheer presence and character. There are no other vans on the market with anything like the personality or image.

And if you’re operating in an urban area and want a van that turns heads and generates interest in your business, then it’s a vehicle with a huge amount going for it. 

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz isn’t the ideal machine for heavy-duty work, though –  for that, stick to the Volkswagen Transporter. But for light-to-medium duties and marketing your business, it’s hard to beat.

That said, it’s functional, with good access from both side loading doors and via the barn-style rear doors, while the load bay is low and flat with multiple lashing points.

In addition, a useful tech feature found on the Volkswagen ID.Buzz is bi-directional charging, like you get on Kia and Hyundai EVs.

This allows you to use the car’s battery to power household electrical devices, slow-charge other EVs in an emergency and even (with the right wallbox) power your home if you’re caught in a power cut.