The Volkswagen ID.Buzz Freestyle: A Retro Electric Van for Less, but With Some Trade-Offs
Affordable Volkswagen ID.Buzz Freestyle, What You Gain and What You Lose, Is Volkswagen’s Cheapest Electric Van Right for You?
Volkswagen has recently introduced a more affordable version of its retro-styled, all-electric minivan, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Freestyle, in Europe. While the U.S. is just getting its hands on the stretched version of the ID.Buzz, Europeans have had it for years, and now they can opt for an even cheaper version—the ID.Buzz Freestyle. But with that reduced price tag come some compromises. Let’s dive into the details to see if this entry-level electric minivan is worth it.
ID.Buzz Freestyle: Budget-Friendly but with Trade-Offs
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz Freestyle is Volkswagen’s attempt to make the quirky, zero-emission minivan more accessible to a broader audience. While it’s great that VW is offering a more affordable option, it’s important to note that this version strips down a lot of the features and luxuries found in higher trims. In exchange for a lower price tag, you’ll need to make some serious sacrifices in both style and performance.
One of the most noticeable changes is in the wheels. The Freestyle trim comes with 18-inch steel wheels, which is a rarity in today’s market, especially for an electric vehicle. While they might evoke some nostalgia, they feel outdated compared to the more stylish alloy options. For an extra €2,500 (around $2,800), you can upgrade to 19-inch alloy wheels, but that’s a considerable price bump for those trying to keep costs down.
In terms of color options, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Freestyle offers very little flexibility. The base Candy White is your only no-cost option, and if you want to opt for the more attractive Moon Silver metallic, you’ll need to fork out an additional €1,035 ($1,150). Unpainted bumpers are another notable downgrade, giving the Freestyle a dated look reminiscent of cars from the 1980s.
Interior: Basic and Bland
The interior of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Freestyle doesn’t fare much better. Expect basic cloth seats, which might remind some of older VW models like the Golf Mk4. There’s no luxurious leather here—just the bare essentials. However, VW hasn’t completely abandoned tech. You’ll still find a 12.9-inch display that supports both wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so at least you won’t be missing out on connectivity features.
Other standard features include height-adjustable front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control, but overall, the Freestyle’s interior feels stripped down compared to more premium trims.
| Feature Comparison | ID.Buzz Freestyle (Europe) | Base ID.Buzz (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €49,997 (approx. $55,663) | $61,000 |
| Wheels | 18-inch steel | Alloy wheels |
| Battery Capacity | 59-kWh | Larger battery |
| Max Horsepower | 170 hp | Higher horsepower (GTX available) |
| Top Speed | 90 mph | Higher top speed |
| Charging Time (10-80% on DC) | 24 minutes | Similar |
Power and Performance: Slow and Steady
Under the hood (or rather, under the floor) of the ID.Buzz Freestyle lies a 59-kWh battery pack that powers a rear-mounted electric motor. This motor produces 170 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. While that’s enough to get you from A to B, it’s far from impressive in the world of electric vehicles. The Freestyle takes a sluggish 10.7 seconds to go from 0 to 62 mph and tops out at 90 mph.
The Freestyle trim, with its single-motor setup, is focused more on affordability than performance. If you’re looking for more power and speed, you’d need to upgrade to the GTX trim, which doubles the horsepower but also increases the price significantly.
Given the van’s hefty weight of 5,300 pounds, the ID.Buzz Freestyle feels more like a leisurely cruiser than a zippy electric vehicle. For reference, Tesla’s Model Y offers much better acceleration and performance, but, of course, at a higher price point.
Charging and Range: Decent for the Price
One area where the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Freestyle doesn’t disappoint is charging time. Using a DC fast charger, the Freestyle can go from 10% to 80% in about 24 minutes. That’s a respectable time for a vehicle in this price range. However, with a 59-kWh battery, the range is modest, especially compared to other electric vehicles on the market.
If you’re doing short city commutes or weekend trips, the Freestyle’s range should suffice. But if you’re planning long-distance road trips, you might want to consider a higher-trim model or even a different EV with a larger battery.
The Price Advantage: How Much Will You Save?
The main selling point of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Freestyle is its affordability. Priced at €49,997 (around $55,663) in Germany, it’s over €4,000 cheaper than the previously base Pure trim. When compared to the U.S. market, it’s nearly $6,000 cheaper than the base ID.Buzz, which starts at around $61,000.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that the price difference is somewhat skewed due to the 19% VAT (Value Added Tax) in Germany. So while it may seem like a great deal, the price gap isn’t as significant when you remove the tax differences.
Should You Buy the ID.Buzz Freestyle?
The ID.Buzz Freestyle is an attractive option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly, electric minivan with VW’s iconic retro styling. However, to achieve that lower price, you’ll need to accept some notable compromises, especially in terms of performance, luxury, and aesthetics.
If you don’t mind the stripped-down features, slower speed, and basic interior, the Freestyle can be a practical choice for city commuting or weekend family trips. But if you’re after more luxury, power, and range, you might want to explore higher trims or consider other EVs in this price range, such as the Tesla Model Y or even the Kia EV6.
For buyers in Europe, the Freestyle offers a way to own the beloved ID.Buzz without breaking the bank, but it’s not for everyone. If you can stretch your budget a bit further, the GTX trim or U.S. version might offer a more well-rounded experience.
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