We may have gotten the better deal this time around.
The American-spec VW ID. Buzz is finally here, and it looks like VW knocked it out of the park. It seems to be almost everything we were hoping for, and now we also get a better idea of how it shapes up against the version available to our European counterparts, and we're pleased to say we may have received the better end of the stick this time. Yes, both versions, at first glance, feature the same lovable retro styling and general proportions, but the long-wheelbase (LWB) version was developed specifically with Americans in mind and now packs a few important new features that make the vehicle even better.
1) 3-Row Seating
The first and most obvious difference is the addition of 10.6 inches to the LWB derivative, allowing for either seven seats standard or six seats with two captain chairs. While a two-row model is available elsewhere (the LWB is only an option), we only get maximum space and maximum seating.
The short overhangs on both are the same, meaning VW hasn't just tacked on an extended body but has actually extended the wheelbase, resulting in genuine interior space without compromising on anything.
2) Bigger Battery
Under the… van, there's a larger battery pack housed within the lengthier wheelbase: 91 kWh vs. the SWB's 82 kWh. This may not seem like a significant increase, but it's around 10% larger in capacity, which will greatly add to its usable driving range and help counter the additional weight of an extra row of passengers. Despite being longer and having extra weight from the larger battery, we expect a slight increase in range over the SWB variant's WLTP estimated 258 miles.
3) More Powerful Motors
To use all that extra juice, the LWB Buzz is also getting improved motors. In Europe's shorter Buzz, a motor placed on the rear axle generates 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. We don't want to call it underpowered, but it definitely pales in comparison to what even ICE vans produce here in the US. VW clearly acknowledged this, which is why the RWD version of the US-spec Buzz gets a new-generation motor shared with the ID.7 with a healthier 282 hp and up to 406 lb-ft. Those are big numbers, but the cherry on top is the inclusion of an optional dual-motor AWD setup that will produce about 330 hp and an undisclosed amount of torque. Is this the GTX version we've heard about? Probably, although the US is unlikely to get the GTX nomenclature; the ID.4 GTX in Europe for example, matches US dual-motor variants for power, with the only differentiator being styling.
4) Higher Top Speed
Power's no good if you can't use it, so it's pretty nice that our version has a higher top speed of 99 mph. Most people will probably never need to get up this high in their day-to-day driving, but the 90 mph V-max the Euro models are limited to is a different story. Passing at highway speeds can sometimes push close to 90 mph, so it's great we'll have that little extra room to work with.
5) New Colors
Finally, to add insult to injury, three new colors have been announced for the LWB ID. Buzz: Cabana Blue, Metro Silver, and Indium Grey. Two of the three may be shades of grey, but it's always nice to have extra choice when you're plopping down your hard-earned cash. We don't know what the ID. Buzz will cost yet, but it's not going to be cheap, and it won't be eligible for EV tax credits. That probably doesn't matter, though, because Americans are most likely going to scoop them up no matter what it costs.
Keyword: 5 Ways The American ID. Buzz Is Better Than The European Version