UK Drive: Is the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo the ideal urban load-lugger?
The practical ID.Buzz Cargo aims to combine practicality and low running costs, but does it manage it? Jack Evans finds out.
What is it?
The ID.Buzz remains Volkswagen’s key electric commercial vehicle and with the Cargo, it’s been converted to its most practical form. We’ve been testing it out to see what it’s like.
What’s new?
As time has gone on, the ID.Buzz’s rivals have become more numerous, too, with the key competitor now being Kia’s PV5 with its rapid charge rate and cleverly packaged interior.
What’s under the bonnet?
It’ll charge at speeds of up to 170kW, too, which will help to deliver a five to 80 per cent top-up in 30 minutes. You’re looking at an overnight charge to get a full battery via a conventional 7kWh home charger unit, too.
What’s it like to drive?
Where the ID.Buzz does falter is in efficiency. Despite that claimed range, we only saw around 200 miles from a full charge and this falls quickly when you need to travel at speed. As a result, the Buzz feels more suited to local journeys rather than long-distance ones.
How does it look?
It’s all designed with practicality in mind, of course, with the dual-opening rear doors providing good access to the back of the van. Plus, you get sliding doors on both sides of the van, so you’ll always be able to load or unload via the pavement wherever you stop.
What’s it like inside?
Space-wise, this short-wheelbase Cargo brings 3.9 metres cubed of capacity, while the whole car gets a maximum payload of 607kg. The Kia PV5, in contrast, gets a payload of up to 790kg, or 690kg for bigger-battery models.
What’s the spec like?
Standard equipment is decent, though, with a three-seater configuration up front coming alongside climate control, a heated windscreen and a 12.9-inch infotainment screen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included. It’s just a shame that the Buzz doesn’t offer vehicle-to-load, as this feature allows users to power external devices – or charge up tools – using the van’s on-board energy supply.
Verdict
The ID.Buzz Cargo is a very viable option for drivers after a practical and cheap-to-run van. Of course, it’ll appeal mostly to businesses that can take advantage of the tax savings on a vehicle like this, but private owners may also see it as a solid basis for conversion or development.
It’s let down by its range and efficiency, but if you’re doing shorter journeys, then the Buzz Cargo could prove to be a very useful – and stylish – model to choose.