US Dealer Slaps $20,000 Markup On VW ID. Buzz

[CarTechGeek]

I think the big problem for the VW Buzz is the Range. If I needed a big 3 Row EV in that price Range. I'd pick a Kia EV9 or Ioniq 9 with about 300 miles of range.

VW at just ~230 miles is a hard sell IMO.

If it had equal range, I think it would be even more desirable than the Kia/Hyundai...

 

[RebelliousPeasant]

It's a relatively large 3 Row EV. What would you expect it to cost?

I would have expected it to cost closer to the EV9 which it more or less competes with.

 

[CarTechGeek]

I would have expected it to cost closer to the EV9 which it more or less competes with.

It costs $5K more, but the VW is bigger with a much more usable 3rd row. So I don't see it being much of an issue.

It's really the range, that is the major issue.

Give them equal range, and I think plenty would choose the VW...

 

[Scoutsie]

It costs $5K more, but the VW is bigger with a much more usable 3rd row. So I don't see it being much of an issue.

It's really the range, that is the major issue.

Give them equal range, and I think plenty would choose the VW...

I’ll be curious to see if its aesthetically pleasing looks outweigh the drawbacks of the range. If you live in a place with a good charging infrastructure and/or are actually buying this because you’re a surfer, you’re probably fine. 250 miles isn’t nothing.

I’m not looking to buy one, but it’s awfully cute. I like the colors and I like how peppy and optimistic it is. It’s not a total drag. If I needed a minivan, I’d want this.

 

[chucchinchilla]

Another one spotted. This is absolutely ruining the launch.

 

[Chaz26]

Hopefully people refuse to pay these markups and they just sit on dealer lots until they bring the price down to MSRP.

 

[J Alynn]

Another one spotted. This is absolutely ruining the launch.
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Wow. $15K mark up. Just ridiculous.
And dealers wonder why everyone hates them

 

[CarTechGeek]

Hopefully people refuse to pay these markups and they just sit on dealer lots until they bring the price down to MSRP.

People keep paying just to "have it now" or "first" which is why they keep doing it.

 

[R1TVT]

Are these limited production vehicles? A Honda Oddysey or Toyota Sienna are priced around $45-50K new (I think?). I would have expected this VW mini van to be priced in that range, or perhaps slightly higher, because it does look cooler and does have a much nicer retro vibe to it.

$75K for a mini-van seems like complete lunacy for a very basic & purposefully utilitarian family hauler - particularly when comparing to a rugged, extremely capably and incredibly well equipped vehicle like a Scout.

I'll be the first to say I know nothing about Buzz minivan, so maybe there are features and unknown items to support that HEFTY mini-van price tag?

 

[Chuckles]

Are these limited production vehicles? A Honda Oddysey or Toyota Sienna are priced around $45-50K new (I think?). I would have expected this VW mini van to be priced in that range, or perhaps slightly higher, because it does look cooler and does have a much nicer retro vibe to it.

$75K for a mini-van seems like complete lunacy for a very basic & purposefully utilitarian family hauler - particularly when comparing to a rugged, extremely capably and incredibly well equipped vehicle like a Scout.

I'll be the first to say I know nothing about Buzz minivan, so maybe there are features and unknown items to support that HEFTY mini-van price tag?

It's electric. Every other minivan is gas or hybrid. Plus, it's made in Germany and doesn't qualify for the $7,500 tax credit. We also get a long wheelbase model that is well equipped. Europe offers a more affordable shorter one.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

I’m not seeing it. Even the MSRP is lunacy to me. Admittedly I am not down with current vehicle prices in general though as I just don’t think the value is there in most cases.

 

[R1TVT]

I’m not seeing it.

Me neither, even if it is an EV... Maybe my mind would be changed if I were in the market for a mini van, but I don't think owning a $75K mini-van was ever anyone's aspiration

 

[CarTechGeek]

Me neither, even if it is an EV... Maybe my mind would be changed if I were in the market for a mini van, but I don't think owning a $75K mini-van was ever anyone's aspiration

All else being equal, lot of people would likely prefer the Buzz to yet another generic SUV... So lets just focus on the pricing:

It starts at $60K. Look at other large 3 Row EVs:

R1S starts at ~$76K - Going by your username, I think you would be aware...
Tesla Model X starts at ~$80K.
Kia EV9 starts at ~$55K - While the "bargain" of the field, the VW is only $5K. more.

Given what other large 3 row EVs cost, ~$60K is more or less expected...

 

[R1TVT]

I guess so, but its still not a SUV, its a legit mini-van, so I (personally) would compare the pricing to a hybrid mini-van before SUV's.

I guess my mini van demographic mindset goes to a place where there is a young, new family with smallish children looking for solid, convenient, safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation... And maybe a dad in Teva's with socks.

 

[CarTechGeek]

I guess my mini van demographic mindset goes to a place where there is a young, new family with smallish children looking for solid, convenient, safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation... And maybe a dad in Teva's with socks.

Not everyone is threatened by driving a Minivan. They have more room than those "manly" SUVs...

 

[R1TVT]

No doubt, I find them super utilitarian (not threatening at all)... You can even slide MTB's into the back when removing rows of seats... Those removable rows of seats are killer. I just don;t need one... And I cannot get this video from 10 years ago out of my head

 

[Scoutsie]

Not everyone is threatened by driving a Minivan. They have more room than those "manly" SUVs...

I’m not in his head, but I don’t think he’s talking about minivans as being emasculating, I think he’s being facetious. I’M right now talking about them being a drag and that this one is priced pretty steep for something that doesn’t even seem to have the internal conveniences of most American minivans at 20K more than the typical asking price. The bonus is that it looks cool on the outside. I can see how that would annoy someone. It annoys me that the ID.Buzz website doesn’t give you a lot of detail about what the interior has to offer but lots about how you can customize the exterior with decals and such (which I goofed around with a lot last night). Knowing what there seems to be available to know, it seems cute and impractical. As it is, I think minivans are more enjoyable for passengers than the drivers, at least in my own personal experience.

And nobody should wear socks with sandals. I don’t care what Gen Z says: they’re wrong.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

If there were a fully electric minivan available a year ago, we would be driving that instead of the Lightning.

I have to laugh at people who are afraid of minivans. The Sienna we owned was the most useful, comfortable road trip and utility vehicle I've ever driven.

Cars dot com shows some dealers marking the ID.Buzz up to $92k. That behavior and their 4-hour hard sell foolishness is why I am excited that Scout will be skipping the dealership model entirely. Can't wait for the dealers to become irrelevant entirely.

 

[Scoutsie]

No doubt, I find them super utilitarian (not threatening at all)... You can even slide MTB's into the back when removing rows of seats... Those removable rows of seats are killer. I just don;t need one... And I cannot get this video from 10 years ago out of my head

I cried when they got to the Dockers

 

[chucchinchilla]

I’m not seeing it. Even the MSRP is lunacy to me. Admittedly I am not down with current vehicle prices in general though as I just don’t think the value is there in most cases.

I would argue it's competitive. Mind you Volkswagen isn't looking to capture traditional minivan customers but rather 3 row SUV customers as a fun alternative. For the record I do buy this argument because I feel our 1967 VW Bus is a vintage SUV alternative in some ways. Inside you've got an upright seating position sitting at or higher than most SUVs out there, 3 rows, tons of room for stuff, and while yes it's ultimately a van the cool looks offsets that. I could see 3 row SUV customers coming to similar conclusions.

With that in mind here's how it stacks up against 3 row EV SUVs...

Mercedes EQB: $54K
Kia EV9: $55K
VW ID Buzz: $60K
Hyundai Ioniq9: $62K
Rivian R1S: $77K
Volvo EX90: $81K

IMO the only thing not competitive about it is the 230mi range which may not matter to some and is the same as the base EV9. Also note VW is [stupidly] launching with only loaded models (Pro S Plus, Pro S) presumably saving a proper base Pro or S trim later on so I would expect an eventual low-mid $50's base price.