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The What Van? Road Test: Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo (2022)
Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Operating
The ID. Buzz Cargo is protected by a three-year/100,000-mile warranty, with breakdown assistance for the entire duration. An eight-year 100,000-mile warranty covers the battery.
The paintwork is warranted for three years and the vehicle is covered by a 12-year anti-perforation corrosion warranty.
Service intervals are set at two years, with no mileage limit. It is worth noting that software updates for the infotainment, battery charging and driver assistance systems can be uploaded over-the-air without the need to take the van to a dealership.
LEDs are used to illuminate the load area and both they and the LED headlights and rear lights should last a long time.
Our test van was optionally equipped with intelligent headlights under the IQ.Light banner. LEDs are automatically activated to deliver the best light for the prevailing conditions in a split second, providing for example a wide beam with the focus on the sides if the van is being driven through a city centre.
At the same time, however, VW has neglected something more basic. There are no side rubbing strips to protect the body from minor damage; a pity given that our van was finished in a fetching shade of metallic yellow.
Metallic paint is an extra-cost option. VW should really include it without charge given the van’s high price.
Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo Commerce Plus
Price (ex VAT) £43,875**
Price range (ex VAT) £39,625-£43,875**
Gross payload 592kg
Load length 2232mm
Load width (min/max) 1230mm/1732mm
Load bay height 1276 mm
Load volume 3.9m3
Loading height 623mm
Rear door aperture 1,217mm x 1,257mm
Side door aperture 756mm x 1,092mm
Gross vehicle weight 3000kg
Braked/unbraked trailer towing weight 1,000kg/750kg
Residual value 41.1%*
Cost per mile 58.05p
Engine size/power 150kW (204hp) electric motor
Torque 310Nm
Gearbox 1sp
Range (WLTP combined) 254 miles
Battery 77kWh
Warranty 3yrs/100,000 miles (battery 8yrs/100,000 miles)
Service intervals 2yrs/unlimited mileage
Insurance group TBA
Price as tested £46,755.83
* After 48 months/20,000 miles p.a – source – KWIKcarcost
** Basic price before VAT, On The Road costs, and government Plug-in Van Grant
Options
Metallic paint £862.50
IQ.Light package £1,340
Charging cable, mode 2 Type 2 (10A) £158.33
Wireless charging for mobile devices £180
230V outlet on passenger seats £340
Rivals
Maxus eDeliver 3
Price range from (ex VAT) £34,000**
Load volume 4.8m3
Gross payload 865-905kg
Electric motor 90kW
Verdict: A little larger than the ID.Buzz Cargo, and offering customers the choice of two different battery packs, the eDeliver 3 is imported as a chassis cab as well as in panel van guise. Well worth a look if you need more cargo space than the VW offers, and the 200-mile-plus range predictions made by the manufacturer seem to be accurate.
Peugeot e-Partner
Price range (ex VAT) £32,385-£34,840**
Load volume 3.3-3.8m3
Gross payload 751-803kg
Electric motor 100kW
Verdict: Sensibly-conceived for the most part, it rides and handles well, but is a little
behind some of its key rivals so far as range between recharges is concerned. Bear in mind that the same model is marketed by Citroën as the e-Berlingo, by Fiat Professional
as the E-Doblo, by Vauxhall as the Combo-e and by Toyota as the Proace City Electric.
Renault Kangoo Van E-Tech
Price range (ex VAT) £30,600-£33,100**
Load volume 3.3-4.2m3
Gross payload 608-764kg
Electric motor 90kW
Verdict: Not long revivified under the E-Tech banner, the battery Kangoo features many of the upgrades found on conventionally-powered versions of this revamped Renault. It also delivers more power and a better range between recharges than the previous model thanks to increased battery capacity. Both Mercedes-Benz’s Citan and Nissan’s Townstar use the same platform.
The Final Verdict
Design 9/10 – Unique is an overused word, but appropriate in this case. There’s nothing quite like it
Cabin 7/10 – Fiddly heating and ventilation controls are a real annoyance
Ride 7/10 – Choppy when unladen but steadily improves the more weight you put on board
Refinement 9/10 – Eerily quiet and nothing squeaks or creaks thanks to exemplary build quality
Load area 8/10 – Easy to access with plenty of tie-down points, but payload capacity is modest
Handling/performance 8/10 – Better steering feedback would be appreciated but the van packs plenty of punch
Engine/transmission 8/10 – Range delivered makes this van a good proposition for local and medium-range trips
Standard equipment 9/10 – Commerce trim gives you most of what you will need, with a stress on safety
Operating costs 7/10 – Long service intervals and a decent warranty help counterbalance price
What Van? subjective rating 8/10 – A lot to like in this distinctive package, but front-end invoice may make buyers wonder
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