Although it was introduced quite some time ago and has been available in Europe for a while, Volkswagen is still delayed in launching the electric ID.Buzz in the United States. When it finally arrives, however, it will not include a seven-seat all-wheel-drive variant.
On Monday, VW provided new details regarding how it will offer this nostalgic van to American consumers. The vehicle will come in three trim levels: Pro S, Pro S Plus, and a special 1st Edition (available exclusively at launch). Customers can choose between rear-wheel-drive and 4Motion all-wheel-drive setups. For rear-drive models, additional seating in the second-row bench allows for a total of seven passengers. Alternatively, customers can opt for second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to six. However, those selecting the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configurations will only have the captain’s chairs option, meaning the seventh passenger will have to arrange their own ride.
Why can’t VW accommodate both options? A representative from Volkswagen North America explained to The Drive that this decision was made to simplify the model lineup and because the company anticipates that most ID.Buzz buyers will prefer captain’s chairs as they upgrade their trim choices.
In essence, VW seems to be aiming to reduce costs by simplifying the ID.Buzz offerings, and possibly considers the seven-seat all-wheel-drive model as less essential. Considering the lengthy process the ID.Buzz has faced in reaching the U.S., it’s also likely that weight played a role in this decision.
Nonetheless, excluding this variant is peculiar since it would likely appeal to many American families. For households with more than two children, an extra seat can be valuable, especially for transporting friends or soccer teammates. Thus, it seems strange that these customers will be left without the safety of all-wheel drive during inclement weather, a priority for many parents purchasing a new vehicle.
VW shared additional specifications for U.S.-bound ID.Buzz models. The rear-wheel-drive version will deliver 282 horsepower, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant will provide 335 horsepower. There are also seven two-tone paint options and three solid colors, along with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, 30-color ambient lighting, and a 700-watt Harmon/Kardon surround sound system.
What VW has yet to disclose is the vehicle’s price or its range on a single charge. It remains unclear why the automaker is delaying such vital information, especially since early adopters of electric vehicles, who have been eagerly anticipating the ID.Buzz, may now consider alternatives. The Kia EV9, for instance, offers an optional seven seats and is sure to look appealing to these potential buyers.
I find the VW ID.Buzz to be a compelling concept. It has a stylish design, ample interior space, and serves as an all-electric tribute to classic California culture. By all accounts, this seems like the ideal electric vehicle for me. However, as a potential EV buyer, the prolonged wait for the ID.Buzz combined with the unusual absence of a likely popular option would be a significant deterrent.
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