The long waits are just about over. Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz and ID. 7 are expected to go on sale later this year here in the U.S. EV Rider got up close looks at both at the 2024 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
2024 is the year that Volkswagen’s U.S. lineup gets a full slate of EVs in three of the automotive industry’s biggest segments.
First up, the ID. Buzz is finally scheduled to begin U.S. deliveries later this year. Volkswagen brought the U.S. version of the ID. Buzz to The Amelia where it garnered plenty of interest.
Jim Reynolds is the general manager at Jacksonville, FL’s Tom Bush VW, where they’re already accepting preorders. “So what this [U.S. spec ID. Buzz] will be is a little longer wheelbase and then tailored for the American market.” Jim says to look for the U.S. version to have things like captain’s chairs in the middle or bench seating and generally more room to stretch out or haul things than the European short-wheelbase version.
The ID. Buzz is expected to be the first consumer full-EV minivan available in the states and is expected to be available with a choice of 282-hp single-motor rear-wheel-drive setup or a 330-hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain.
The official battery size and EPA range ratings weren’t available at the time of this post’s publication but it will probably have at least 260 miles of range.
While U.S. preorders are now being accepted it’s a little too soon to say exactly when deliveries will begin. “We’ve got our fingers crossed. [Deliveries will] probably begin by the end of the year. So fall, winter, or something like that,” Jim said.
ID. 7 Will Be VW’s 1st EV Sedan
Volkswagen is also going after the heart of the sedan market with its new ID. 7. It’s likely to start somewhere around $50,000, according to Car and Driver. It will challenge EVs like the BMW i4, Hyundai Ioniq 6 and of course the current benchmark, Tesla’s Model 3.
“This segment is going to heat up. Cars have sort of been overlooked for all these years, and Tesla’s done a good job in that market. But if you notice, BMW’s really penetrating that market well, and we needed a a sedan to compete in that market as well,” Jim said.
Final pricing, range, trim levels and specific details for the ID. 7 hadn’t been released at the time of this video’s publishing but were expected at any moment since like the ID. Buzz, the ID. 7 is expected to go on sale in the U.S. before year’s end.
Jim sums up what he thinks the ID. 7’s greatest strengths will be. “I think it’s the looks. The car looks amazing, when the batteries, of course, are so low. The car handles like a dream.”
He adds that VW will be bringing the heat when it comes to marketing, volume and dealer support. “Being the biggest car company in the world, Volkswagen is going to do everything they can. They’re going to throw all their tools at it in terms of battery capability, price point, supply; all those kind of things. So I think we’re gonna have a good shot at it.”
Fluffy’s Review Of The VW ID. Buzz
Back to the ID. Buzz, one of the most famous U.S. celebrities that’s already driven the EV minivan is comedian Gabriel Iglesias, who is commonly known as “Fluffy.”
For his hot take on the ID. Buzz, watch this episode of EV Rider and if you enjoy it please subscribe to the EV Rider YouTube channel.