We hired an electric Belingo last week, whilst away. Rather impressed by its bike swallowing ability (ok 2x medium sized road bikes not full sus). But did help the seats laid flat. Inside of that Buzz looks nice though.😍🤩 This place needs more pictures of bikes in cars
Does the E-Berlingo have 20" Rims or smaller? As far as I can see the Buzz only comes with these silly big wheels unless I'm missing something. My current EV (Leaf) eats tyres like no other vehicle I've owned, even a 300hp Saab Turbo! but luckily 17" tyres are cheap to buy. 20+ on the other hand are not. It seems all EVs are coming with gigantic hoops these days? Mate bought an ex demo Ioniq 5 a few weeks ago and it had 21" wheels on what is basically a city car, total insanity.
Edit - Berlingo comes with 17" wheels, much better idea for a utility vehicle. I might seriously check those out
Edit Edit - ahhh 52kwh battery. I'm oot.
The seating doesn’t seem as flexible as in the t7 multivan, I wonder why?
took a multivan out last year for a demo, it was parked next to buzz’s either side and we noted that they have had very different design briefs, esp on the interior. The multivan just “looked” bigger too and the van’s interior space felt vast.
i don’t know why at this high price point neither of VW’s bus models come with seats that fold flat into the floor. You have to manhandle them in & out to really adjust the interior config. And the front swivel seat isn’t light, as I did remove it, it’s all ok but I wouldn’t want to be doing it all the time.
Must take a buzz out this year for a demo.
if you look at the old sharan with seats flat - the 5 seater model had a big step up in the boot floor (or a false floor) which was level in the 7 seater (as the rear row of seats took up the space when folded flat). Either way they're not as clever as seats in GM products - I suspect they may have a license issue.
I suspect this will be the outcome for the 7 seater/lwb jobbie, but its still a bit disappointing. It would be nice to imagine that with a flexible battery layout you could stagger things to the boot floor was naturally higher, but the floor under the rear seats was lower allowing them to fold completely flat
found a vid of the 7 seater. ~6.30 in for the details
“manhandle”
pah. If only..
That video makes it smell like the 7 seater's rear seats come out, but not necessarily the middle row. It's looking more tempting though.
That video makes it smell like the 7 seater’s rear seats come out,
am I missing out on some features by not having youtube premium?
found a vid of the 7 seater. ~6.30 in for the details
is the LWB buzz coming to the uk ? Or the gtx version
is the LWB buzz coming to the uk ? Or the gtx version
both are afaik, the US isn't getting the SWB version so I guess there might be a delay in us getting the LWB till demand there quietens down
It’s not a van though, it’s an MPV.
Neither was the Sharan/Galaxy thing I had around 2010.... Seats out and completely flat load area.
I find two things baffling about the spec choices …
1) lack of removable rear seats (this would stop me buying if I was in the market for a new car of this form).
2) only the long wheelbase version can be specced with 7 seats (2/3/2) despite the short wheelbase version having the room for it.
So, a fail for people who want to lug things and sit up front… and also a fail for people who want to carry as many family members about as possible without going big… as an MPV, those are poor choices on VWs part. My old Touran manages all that.
We hired one abroad and struggled to get two bikes in them fibreglass traveling boxes and one in a cut down cardboard box into the back whilst still allowing one person to sit in the back. It was fine with just the three bikes upside down and front wheel off.
fail for people who want to lug things and sit up front
Fail is harsh. As per my OP I’m not sure if there is anything new/newish on the market in petrol or (>200 mile range) electric car with comparable capacity. ICYMI it’s massive inside 
Fail is harsh
Okay… missed opportunities then. 7 seats, and removable seats, make MPVs far more versatile… why not give people that?
Photo genuinely helpful for seeing what’s what though. Thanks.
Mainly white interior and bikes…. yikes.
GTX version getting dark interiors, including the roof linings… but again, why only on the most expensive builds? Why not offer the practical option on the more affordable versions? Like not offering 7 seats on short wheel base… the spec choices reduce the practicality of what could have been VWs most practical car.
missed opportunities then.
feels like that to me. Caddy Maxi Life owner here and I thought the id buzz would be the ultimate “sport utility” e-vehicle. But it fails pretty badly. Seats should have been removable to create a flat floor. Or at least rollable forward. Practical sides with luxury seating (not just dark in what looks like base spec). Whil3 none of the other small electric vans yet have a decent range (I get why - the “small van” segment isn’t driving long trips)
the cargo version has a flat floor, but as yet no “combi” cargo with seats.
these continue to look like practical bike vehicles, but no electric options yet
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/tourneo-connect
And they’ve made this look brilliant - echos of a matra rancho
It’s like it is because there is more money in selling a fancy fashion van. With more practical design and plain paint and fabrics it wouldn’t get the lifestyle crowd who’ll pay a premium for the look, which has high margin.
edit: I’d be intrigued to see how the bike fits upright. What size is it?
Did look at Tourneos as per my OP but the (man) maths doesn’t work. Electric salary sacrifice lease deals seem incredibly good value atm. Oddly those Tourneos don’t seem to have seats that fold into the floor either. I wonder if there’s a modern safety standard that prevents 3 rows of seats passing NCAP unless they are longer?
TBH for my needs Berlingos, Tourneos and Maxi Caddy are more van than I need for a couple of bikes, an air tent and stuff. The slight bit of additional refinement an mpv has works well for me too but as with this whole topic ymmv.
btw, in case it helps anyone else only the base spec ID Buzz can have a dark interior, and has smaller 19” wheels as standard atm 🤷
edit: I’d be intrigued to see how the bike fits upright. What size is it?
it’s a medium 29er, but there was bags of room. It was a demo car (again, not a van!), had to give it back the other day sadly. I think it would fit upright but my default is to put them in upside down!
only the base spec ID Buzz can have a dark interior,
if they’ve used the same materials as in the Caravelle then I wouldn’t worry. The fallout from a nuclear holocaust might tarnish a Velle interior and carpet, but pretty much nothing else will. Even having an engine fall off a pallet and dump its oil all over the carpet failed to mark ours.
Seats should have been removable to create a flat floor.
if you have the multi board fitted, you get a flat floor when the seats are folded. Albeit 200ish mm higher than the “actual” floor
btw, in case it helps anyone else only the base spec ID Buzz can have a dark interior, and has smaller 19” wheels as standard atm
Still has a light roof liner. Dark roof liner is reserved for the GTX only so far. Mountain bikers like dark roof liners, we’re clumsy idiots after a big day.
Any way… like many I’m a hopefully second hand buyer long down the line… we’ll get what others specced… so spec the cheaper wheels/tyres and dark seats please people.
🙏🏼
The SWB GTX looks to have the option of 6 seats, so my theory on NCAP is wrong and the rear two are removable.
Dark interior, massive window in the roof so more height for bikes, and glass is tougher than roof liner. 4 wheel drive & bigger battery too. Nice.
LWB version has all rear seats removable according to this https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/seven-seat-volkswagen-id-buzz-lwb-unveiled/
(though bizarrely it’s described as a seven seater but the image shows only six seats. )
The SWB GTX looks to have the option of 6 seats, so my theory on NCAP is wrong and the rear two are removable.
Dark interior, massive window in the roof so more height for bikes, and glass is tougher than roof liner. 4 wheel drive & bigger battery too. Nice.
@thebunk I shudder to think how much this fully loaded model buzz will cost. VW will definitely push the price envelope with this, after all they do have to pay for their dieselgate fees and fines somehow.
I do still want one though, but doubt it’ll be in budget.
"You lot will be buying them in about 3 years…"
At £60k, I can assure you I most definitely will not be.
If I'm spending that sort of ££ I'll get a Land Crusier. AND a dog.
though bizarrely it’s described as a seven seater but the image shows only six seats
Both 2/2/2 & 2/3/2 options are supposed to be coming when LWB gets to the UK. Not seen anything from VW suggesting the middle seats are removable though… but let’s hope they are.
This is the LWB from the YouTube video showing the 3rd row removed. but the back of the second row and the other floor gubbins between the seats definitely look like some flexibly mount/removal options. Although I'm guessing even if not removable they'd need to tip forward to allow the third row passengers to get out of the side doors.
Its a hell of an awkward/complex mounting system for the third row seats - on the Caddy maxi Life the third row bench goes on 4 simple studs on the floor (you can see them on the pic below between the lashing points.
I shudder to think how much this fully loaded model buzz will cost. VW will definitely push the price envelope with this, after all they do have to pay for their dieselgate fees and fines somehow.
I was toying with the idea of waiting for the new versions , mainly for the bigger battery options and the pan roof ( i loves a big pan roof ). I like my vehicles fully specced and the SWB buzz I have was £72K rrp ( i got it as a pre-registered with 10 miles on the clock and a 3 year warranty for £57K ). By the time the new models hit the road , all the incentives to buy EV for business will have gone so I went for it. I think they are going to be up in the £75-£80k range for a fully loaded one
Yeah, the GTX and LWB versions are going to be mad expensive. Lease schemes do some magic due to high residuals so even though book price on these are more than a lot of other cars, they are cheaper to lease.
Either way, it would be nice if some of the new stuff trickles down to the other levels on release.
Let’s hope some of the practical options make their way down the range (and later onto the second hand market).
Oh, worth noting that if you look at the van and the LWB seating options… VW should be able to offer an 8 seater… 3/3/2… if they choose to.
anyone know what the LWB weighs and its GVW?
At £60k, I can assure you I most definitely will not be.
they appear to lose £20k in value in the first 5,000 miles. If that level of depreciation keeps up they might be a bargin in 3 years time
they appear to lose £20k in value in the first 5,000 miles. If that level of depreciation keeps up they might be a bargin in 3 years time
Puts them more in budget, still pricy for a small bus. Even at that rate of depreciation I might never afford the gtx version, when I’ve just read the gtx variant could be pushing 90-100k !
At £60k, I can assure you I most definitely will not be.
Honestly I was going to ignore the comments about the costs, but maybe posting this will help someone else, so here goes.
It shouldn't make sense to go from a ~£3k 10 year old Zafira to a ~£60K brand new car, and as an owner of 3 Zafiras in a row hopefully you can believe me when I say I am not into cars for the status or whatever. For me family cars are an appliance, a bike transporter and mobile skip, and any money spent on one I view as money I can't spend on bikes, holidays or even my retirement. I'm as surprised as anyone that a Buzz seems like the sensible choice, and it's only due to the place I work introducing an EV salary sacrifice scheme.
With salary sacrifice schemes, there's no initial payment, and the monthly costs include insurance, servicing, tyres, road tax, breakdown cover etc. Basically the monthly payment includes all motoring costs other than electricity.
Depending on your personal tax circumstances (salary, where in the UK you live etc) the amount you end up paying for a lease can be reduced through salary sacrifice by up to (or maybe even more than) 60%. So an ID.Buzz monthly lease with decent annual mileage of around 12K can be had for £300-£500* per month after tax. Again, that's for everything, other than electricity and the initial purchase of a charger if you don't have one. Oh, another benefit of this over leasing privately, is if I get made redundant or leave my job I can give the car back early with no penalty charges. Lastly, do your own sums, the website of the scheme I'm on underestimates how much I can save by £100s a month.
@thebunk, if you’d have listened in the first place and just bought an Octavia, we wouldn’t be having this conversation anyway!
You jest, but comparing to a 4 year old petrol auto estate Octavia, it's close, but the man maths on the STW approved car doesn't quite make sense. I tried but they cost around £13k and then you need to pay for everything else on top.
* Range is vague to try and make it harder for someone to reverse engineer my salary. Even if you can, I'd prefer it if you didn't post about it on here 🙏
Honestly I was going to ignore the comments about the costs, but maybe posting this will help someone else, so here goes.
It shouldn’t make sense to go from a ~£3k 10 year old Zafira to a ~£60K brand new car, and as an owner of 3 Zafiras in a row hopefully you can believe me when I say I am not into cars for the status or whatever. For me family cars are an appliance, a bike transporter and mobile skip, and any money spent on one I view as money I can’t spend on bikes, holidays or even my retirement. I’m as surprised as anyone that a Buzz seems like the sensible choice, and it’s only due to the place I work introducing an EV salary sacrifice scheme.
that is of interest, as I’m about to join somewhere where they have an ev salary sacrifice scheme. Just need to get my head round not owing the car outright and effectively moving to a never ending subscription lease model.
Haven’t looked too deeply into it, but looks like a great way to make what’s an expensive purchase more attainable.
Just need to get my head round not owing the car outright and effectively moving to a never ending subscription lease model.
Sure, but in about 5 years time car owners will be looked down upon much like wood burning stove owners, and we’ll be hailing on demand self driving flying taxi cars anyway right?
Sure, but in about 5 years time car owners will be looked down upon much like wood burning stove owners, and we’ll be hailing on demand self driving flying taxi cars anyway right?
I look forward to it, flying cars have been the dream since seeing blade runner, a loooong time ago.
be hilarious to pilot a flying id buzz.
Hey all. I haven’t read the full thread yet, but this is my Medium Nomad inside my Buzz. I have to slide the double rear seat forward on the track, but it goes in. I can also load my son’s 24” bike next to the Nomad.
the same thing works with my Large YT Decoy MX
Do you have car seat covers on ? If so , which ones have you got and do they fit well ?
That isn’t much smaller than the back of my T5 Kombi from first glance. Interesting!
Would you get another, similar, bike next to it if you put the rear wheel in first? Depending on the length of the bike I can just about do that in my T5 but it looks like it might be as snug in there.
i love the matt black paint job!
With the seats slid forward, the boot is longer than my 2018 SWB Vito. It’s quite a bit narrower though.
There’s no way I’m getting two adult bikes in there with wheels on.
And thanks! The matte black is just on the lower half and looks great
Next question then: 4 adult mountain bikes, all with front wheels off - would they fit in with back wheels against the seats and all the handlebars pointing the same way? I can do that in my van and it would be interesting if it could be done in the Buzz.
LWB version listed as being £500 more than SWB so not too bad. 250mm longer, be interesting to see how that translates on the interior. Slight range increase too due to bigger battery.
SWB gets a 6 seat option for £250.
No price difference for 5,6 or 7 seats on LWB.
Panoramic roof with smart dimming is £2200, and there’s also the £1050 option of a heat pump now (which I can’t quite get my head around the cost/benefit of).
The Style trim also now has black interior options which is good though think it’s still a white headliner.
