Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo Review, Ultimate Guide to its Range, Payload, Price & Lots, Lots More

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo is also the VW Group's bold attempt to reimagine the humble work van - and they have only gone and made it electric, practical, and rather charming to look at as they do so as well.

As a result, it is part of the new generation of VW ID models, that has been designed from the ground up to be fully electric, and this one’s aimed squarely at tradespeople, couriers, delivery drivers and anyone else who needs a trusty commercial vehicle with a bit of flair.

Now, don’t be fooled by its retro styling - all those nods to the classic VW camper are very intentional - as underneath that funky shell is a modern, well-thought-out electric van built for real-world jobs.

So, whether you are running a small business or looking to make your delivery fleet more eco-friendly, the ID. Buzz Cargo is all about reducing your emissions and reducing your running costs, but without compromising your space, payload or functionality as you do so.

For example, the front of the ID. Buzz Cargo is properly eye-catching, especially for a commercial vehicle.

It’s got this clean, modern look with a hint of retro charm - think classic VW camper vibes, but sleeker here.

Its LED headlights are also slim and futuristic, which are then combined really well with the front badge, which is massive, making sure everyone knows exactly what you are driving.

All of these factors make it very friendly, approachable, and a real head-turner on the high street - that is, without a doubt.

From the side, the van then has a bold yet compact stance, where the body lines are neat and unfussy, giving it a smart, professional look that still feels a bit playful.

The sliding side door is also very practical for quick access to your deliveries, and there’s just enough quirk in the design to make it stand out from your average white van as well, which can really help to improve your brand image to your customers.

The roofline is also high and boxy, but that’s a good thing, as it means you have more headroom inside and better load capacity, which only helps it on its practicality score, we feel.

VW has also kept it fairly simple up top as well, but it still manages to look stylish in doing so.

Then, for those who need roof racks or additional kits, it has also got the height and build here to support your working needs.

Around the back, it is also clean and functional with a nice top-hinged tailgate as well.

Here, your vertical taillights hug the corners very nicely, and the big, wide-opening doors make loading really easy as well.

As a result, there really is no over-the-top styling going on here - just a solid, well-thought-out design that really does keep things practical without it looking dull in the process.

For your wheels, here they will vary depending on your spec, but even the standard alloys have a nice, modern twist.

They’re not just there for show - they are shaped to be aerodynamic too, helping you squeeze out every last mile of that all-important electric range.

If you then opt for the upgraded set, they really do improve your overall look, as well, really easily.

For instance, here you have a few options, such as:

• 01 – 18 inch Black steel wheels with silver wheel trims
  • 8J (front) / 8½J (rear) x 18
  • Tyres: 235/60 R18 103T front, 255/55 R18 105T rear
  • Available on: C
• 02 – 19 inch ‘Tilburg’ bi-colour alloy wheels
  • 8J (front) / 9J (rear) x 19
  • Tyres: 235/55 R19 105T Airstop® front, 255/50 R19 107T Airstop® rear
  • Available on: CP, C
• 03 – 20 inch ‘Stockton’ silver alloy wheels with black plastic wheel trim
  • 8J (front) / 10J (rear) x 20
  • Tyres: 235/50 R20 104T XL Airstop® front, 265/45 R20 108T Airstop® rear
  • Available on: CP
• 04 – 20 inch ‘Solna’ bi-colour alloy wheels
  • 8J (front) / 10J (rear) x 20
  • Tyres: 235/50 R20 104T XL Airstop® front, 265/45 R20 108T XL Airstop® rear
  • Available on: CP

The Buzz Cargo also rolls on tyres with relatively tall sidewalls as well, which is great news for comfort.

This is because they will help to absorb bumps on rougher roads, adding to that smooth, cushioned ride.

Plus, the extra rubber on offer here offers you a bit more protection from kerb knocks, which is really handy when you are nipping round town or squeezing into tight spots.

Now, this is where it gets fun, as the ID. Buzz Cargo comes with some cracking colour choices for you to choose from - everything from classic white and silver to bold yellows and two-tone options that really nod back to its vintage roots.

So, if you are after a van with personality, this one's got it in spades, with the following colour options available without any custom paintwork added:

• Solid paint
  • 01 Candy White | C | CP |
• Metallic paint
  • 02 Lime Yellow | C | CP |
  • 03 Starlight Blue | C | CP |
  • 04 Bay Leaf Green | C | CP |
  • 05 Mono Silver | C | CP |
• Pearl effect paint
  • 06 Deep Black | C | CP |
• Two-tone paint
  • 07 Candy White / Starlight Blue | C | CP |
  • 08 Candy White / Lime Yellow | C | CP |
  • 09 Candy White / Bay Leaf Green | C | CP |
• Upholstery
  • 10 ‘Basket’ cloth Black Soul

Inside, the ID. Buzz Cargo, it also does feel a cut above your typical van.

For example, the seats are firm yet comfy, and the dashboard has a very smart, modern finish to it as well.

While some plastics are on the harder side, overall quality impresses us a lot here, especially when compared to other commercial vans - it definitely feels more car-like than utilitarian, a proper step up in refinement in our view.

The front seats, for example, are properly supportive as they can come with a driver's bucket seat design, have a good view of the road, and have lots of adjustments for you to get things just right.

They are also designed with your long days in mind, regardless of whether you are driving around town or off on longer routes.

Plus, there is also plenty of room to stretch out, with a light and airy feel, thanks to that wide windscreen in front of you here as well.

The ID. Buzz Cargo also makes comfort a priority for your passengers as well.

For instance, here, your passengers get a comfy seat too, with a light and airy cabin feel.

This is then supported further with clever storage for them as well, and an overall thoughtful layout that makes the space work well for both them relaxing in between jobs, and getting the job done - even on those longer drives.

In the back, though, which is part of a fixed cabin partition, it is all about business.

Here, you will get a generous load area with up to a 707 kg Payload capacity that’s flat, wide, and easy to access through the rear and side doors.

So, whether you are carrying tools, parcels, or a kit for the job, there really is more than enough room to get stuck in here.

VW’s also been clever with adding lots of cubby holes and storage options up front for all the bits and pieces you need as well.

For instance, here, the three-seater layout includes a two-person bench next to a comfy heated driver’s seat, and you can also get a two-person passenger seat that’s a one-piece unit and fixed in place as well, depending on your preferences for what you are after.

Then, behind the cabin, you get a generous cargo area with plenty of load volume to work with - ideal for deliveries, tools, or stock.

But, what is more, it also comes with a wooden floor and multi-layered door pockets - that, in our view, has clearly been built to last as well.

Another key area that we really like is that its connectivity is spot on, with USB-C ports, wireless charging, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration as standard.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay keep you well connected on the go as well, and there is even built-in internet capability on higher trims, which is perfect if you are always on the move and need to stay in the loop at all times.

Driver comfort has then clearly been a big priority as well.

The seating position here, for instance, feels natural - everything’s within reach and visibility, which is brilliant. Furthermore, here you also get active-safety features to help to keep you safe, dual-zone climate control, and multi-layered door pockets, and a large glove box for easy storage in front of you as well.

The vans' quiet electric motor also means that you get less noise and more relaxation, even in stop-start traffic. With climate control, heated seats, and a well-insulated cabin, it’s the kind of place you’ll happily spend all day in - something we can’t say for every van in this class.

With wide-opening power-latching sliding doors and rear doors, plus a low step-in height, it really is super easy to access the load space - which for a van of this class is kind of important.

The flat dash-top storage and large glovebox also add a lot of practical convenience, and the steering column is adjustable to give you maximum comfort as well.

The ID. Buzz Cargo is also packed with handy storage spots - from deep door bins to clever dash compartments and overhead shelves.

There’s even space under the seats for tools or paperwork, as everything has been designed to keep your gear tidy and close to hand for when you need it - making it a brilliantly organised space for work or longer journeys alike due to this.

The ID. Buzz Cargo also gives you power through its rear wheels, giving it a confident, balanced feel on the road in our view.

This rear-wheel-drive setup will then help you with traction, especially when the van’s loaded up, as it grips well in corners in our opinion.

One of the things that really impressed us was that this van had more car-like handling, which was such a surprise!

Thanks to its rear-wheel drive layout and a seriously tight turning circle of just 12 metres, it really is nimble in town and easy to reverse, making it a great city van.

Plus, we also noted that the suspension is well sorted, giving you a charming ride comfort, even on bumpy city roads.

Here, the suspension feels wonderfully pliant, as it easily soaks up the bumps with ease, making daily drives and loaded trips smooth and fuss-free. For instance, here you and your cargo aren’t being bounced about on every little bump, and it feels more like driving a comfy car than a rattly old van, for example.

Lastly, here, we should note that its acceleration is brisk for a medium van, and it also has regenerative braking that really helps extend your range.

Furthermore, you also get different drive modes, and the adaptive cruise control with Intelligent Speed Assist really makes motorway driving a total breeze here as well.

VW claims an official range of over 250 miles, but with real-world range tests under a full load, you should expect closer to 210–220 miles, with 80% range getting back from a DC charge in 30 minutes - which is still very decent for an electric commercial vehicle.

For instance, here, it sips power at a smart 15.6kWh / 100km fuel consumption rate, too - which will help to reduce your running costs and give you more range per charge as well.

To further help you with range here, you have also got multiple regen levels, so you can one-pedal drive through town when you need to.

If you then combine that with the van's Eco mode, you will stretch your mileage even further here - which we really liked.

• ‘Basket’ cloth seat upholstery
• Decorative trims, black
• Heated front seats
• Illuminated mirrors in sun visors, with airbag label on sun visor and B-pillar
• LED load compartment lighting
• Manual height adjustment for driver
• Multifunction steering wheel with touch control
• Robust floor covering in cab
• Steering wheel, dashboard and central controls in black
• 3 seats – Driver’s seat and 2 seaters front passenger bench seat

• App-Connect including App-Connect Wireless for Apple CarPlay and ‘Android Auto’
• DAB digital radio receiver
• Ready 2 Discover infotainment system including ‘Streaming & Internet’ with 12.9-inch colour touch-screen and 2 full-range loudspeakers
• We Connect¹ preparation
• 2 x USB-C ports in the dashboard and 2 USB-C charging sockets in front

• 1-zone Climatronic with enhanced air filter and stationary air conditioning
• Charging cable mode 3 type 2, 32 A (6 metres length)
• Glovebox, lockable
• Operating voltage 12 V
• Power adjustable and heated door mirrors
• Sliding door on the left and right
• Surround lighting on rear
• Windshield wiper intermittent control
• 11 kW AC charging power (alternating current)

• Anti-theft alarm system, interior monitoring in cab, back-up horn and towing protection
• Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Monitoring²
• Central locking system with Keyless Start, without SAFELOCK
• Cruise control system with speed limiter and Intelligent Speed Assist²
• Driver Alert System
• Driver and front passenger airbags with front passenger’s airbag deactivation
• Dynamic Road Sign Display
• eCall emergency system
• Electronic engine sound
• First aid kit with warning triangle and safety vest
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Keyless Advance with SAFELOCK
• Seat belt reminder, electric contact in buckle
• Side and curtain airbags for driver and front passenger
• Tailgate latching without unlatching function from inside
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• 3-point seat belts in front, with pre-tensioner and height adjustment

• Black bumpers
• Heat reflecting glass
• LED headlights
• LED rear combination lights
• Rear wing door without window aperture
• Unique ID. Buzz’ badging

• Black steel wheels, 8J x 18 front, 8.5J x 18 rear with silver wheel trim
• 19" ‘Tilburg’ bi-colour alloy wheels – 4MOTION only
• Tool kit & Tyre Mobility Set: 12-volt compressor and tyre sealant
• Tyres 235/60 R18 103T in front, tyres 255/55 R18 105T in rear

• Fixed bulkhead

• Wooden floor covering in load compartment

• Discover Pro navigation and infotainment system including ‘Streaming & Internet’

• Gloss Black electrically heated, adjustable and folding door mirrors, with front passenger lowering function
• Heated windscreen
• Surround lighting with logo projector

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) stop & go with speed limiter²
• Central locking system with keyless locking and starting system
• Keyless Advanced with SAFELOCK
• Park Assist Plus with Memory function
• Rear-view camera
• Side Assist
• Travel Assist with Lane Assist and Emergency Assist

• Body-coloured bumpers
• Illuminated door handle recesses

• Tool kit (not including Tyre Mobility Set)
• 19" ‘Tilburg’ bi-colour alloy wheels
• Airstop tyres 235/60 R19 105T on front, 255/50 R19 107T on rear

From autonomous emergency braking to lane assist, the Buzz Cargo aced its Euro NCAP safety tests. It’s smart, safe, and always watching out for you.

Adaptive cruise control keeps you comfy on the motorway, while rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and front and rear parking sensors make tight spots and parking spaces a total doddle - more like a large family car or electric SUV than a traditional delivery van, some would say.

It packs in curtain airbags, pedestrian detection, and loads of clever tech - all built to keep you and your cargo safe, whether you’re on the school run or heading off on a cross-country delivery

The Ford E-Transit is a solid option with loads of cargo space and similar electric powertrain cleverness.

But where the Buzz Cargo wins in our view is in style, turning heads with its funky looks and modern interior.

The Ford might win on raw maximum payload, but the VW has far more character and is better suited for tight city streets and zero-emission zones as well.

The eVito is also another practical van, no doubt, but the VW Buzz Cargo takes the edge in our view in terms of driver’s seat comfort and infotainment tech.

Then, when you add in the extra charm from those two-tone paint options, it's an easy win for design-led businesses wanting something unique here due to this.

It also competes strongly for people looking for other light commercial vehicles, such as the:

• Ford transit
• Renault Kangoo E-Tech
• Citroen e-Berlingo
• Citroen e-Dispatch
• Citroen Dispatch
• Maxus eDeliver