The What Van? Road Test: Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo (2022)

Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Cabin Copy

Interior and equipment

For your money you get satellite navigation, air-conditioning, a reversing camera with reversing sensors, a DAB radio, Bluetooth compatibility and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Virtually all the functions are controlled by a user-friendly 10in colour touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard. It is at the heart of the Discover Pro navigation and infotainment system with Streaming
and Internet.

VW has unfortunately also fitted its annoyingly fiddly audio and ventilation control touch sliders, which it would do well to scrap.

Useful facilities include a 12V power point and a USB socket. You will find two more USB ports on the smartphone tray to the left of the height-adjustable leatherette-wrapped steering wheel – the heated driver’s seat is height-adjustable too – plus one on the passenger door.

Our demonstrator was additionally equipped with an optional 230V socket on the passenger seat frame.

A dashboard display gives you the remaining range and the level of charge left in the battery.

Electric windows and heated, power-adjustable and power-folding exterior mirrors are fitted and the parking brake engages and disengages automatically.

There isn’t really enough space for three seats in a cab of this size.

The middle passenger’s legroom is limited and shoulder room is restricted for everybody when all three seats are occupied. When no passengers are being carried, however, it is easy for the driver to slide across the cab and step out on the pavement side in safety.

Storage facilities include a large, deep shelf on top of the fascia split into three sections, a roomy lockable glovebox with a shelf above, and two bins in each of the doors.

One of the bins on the driver’s door played host to a miniature removable waste bin. Or dare we suggest it is really meant to be an ashtray?

You’ll find a cup holder at each end of the fascia while a cup holder on a shelf at the bottom of the middle of the dashboard helps ensure that the centre passenger won’t go thirsty.

The ID. Buzz Cargo gets the latest version of Travel Assist, which combines Adaptive Cruise Control with a speed limiter and Lane Keep Assist. The list of safety systems also includes Intelligent Speed Assist, Driver Alert System, and Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Monitoring.

Other intelligent functions include Car2X, which warns of hazards you might encounter on your journey. Driver and passenger front, side and curtain airbags provide some protection if there is a collision.

Available too – if you wish to register for them – are We Connect and We Connect Plus, which connects your smartphone with your van when you are some distance away. Our van came with optional wireless smartphone charging.

Services provided by We Connect include the ability to see where your
van is parked. Opt for We Connect Plus and you can set a departure time to ensure your plugged-in vehicle is charged up prior to your first job of the day.

The ID. Buzz Cargo Commerce Plus sits on 19in-alloy wheels shod with different sizes of Continental EcoContact 6Q tyre front (235/55 R19) and back (255/50 R19). It’s the first time we’ve ever encountered such a set-up on a light commercial and we’re not sure we’re keen on it.

The tyres are watched over by a pressure monitoring system, and an inflator and sealer are provided in case there is a puncture.

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