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

[R1TVT]

I see what some of you are saying... There is a subset of SUV buyers out there that really don't "need" an SUV. They just buy the SUV b/c it is big, looks cool and has a 3rd row?

In that case, and for that group, I could see a subset of buyers potentially considering a Buzz.

I also do agree that range may be a limiting factor for those longer mini van trips to Wally World, or to see Cousin Eddie's farm in KS.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

I’m not claiming it’s not competitive because I’ve never researched whether it is or not. I just do not agree with vehicle pricing these days. If that’s how much the current production and technology actually costs, I guess it just may be a case of me personally not being willing to pay that much for it. I can wait around for prices to come down or I’ll stick to the used market or better yet I can keep my trusty current vehicle. I may not be the only one as I hear of many dealer lots with new 2023s still in their inventory.

EDIT: I forgot to note that me “not seeing it” was in response to a Buzz with an MSRP of $72,900.00 mentioned earlier in the thread.

 

[J Alynn]

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.

But nobody thinks of the original bus or the buzz as a reasonable off roader either. I’m not saying most SUV buyers are all going off roading but they can-and car manufacturers sell the “can” not the reality. I also don’t see vw vans pulling trailers or boats. For those reasons I’d call them Vans-mini is optional

 

[CarTechGeek]

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

I wouldn't include the EQB. At 185" long, it's closer the size of a Rav4 not a 3 row like the Highlander. Making EQB 3rd Row a total joke.

While the Buzz has a very roomy third row, being 197" long and not wasting much length in a hood either, you can put 6 foot tall people in every row in comfort.

EV9 is even longer, and has reasonable third row, though not as generous as the Buzz since some of that length is in the hood.

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.

Launching high trims first is basically the norm now in the car industry. Base trim is what will be $60K when it arrives, so don't expect another even more base trim below that. How many cars have you ever seen roll back MSRP??

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

But nobody thinks of the original bus or the buzz as a reasonable off roader either. I’m not saying most SUV buyers are all going off roading but they can-and car manufacturers sell the “can” not the reality. I also don’t see vw vans pulling trailers or boats. For those reasons I’d call them Vans-mini is optional

To me an ideal vehicle that would meet most of my needs would be a 320-400 mile range all-electric, AWD minivan (flat floor, sliding doors, removable seats) with a towing capacity of 8,000 pounds.

 

[chucchinchilla]

But nobody thinks of the original bus or the buzz as a reasonable off roader either. I’m not saying most SUV buyers are all going off roading but they can-and car manufacturers sell the “can” not the reality. I also don’t see vw vans pulling trailers or boats. For those reasons I’d call them Vans-mini is optional

I don't think anyone is expecting to capture the whole pie, but a slice for sure. At least where I live, there are tons of 3 row SUVs that never leave the pavement and don't have trailer hitches installed.

 

[chucchinchilla]

I wouldn't include the EQB. At 185" long, it's closer the size of a Rav4 not a 3 row like the Highlander. Making EQB 3rd Row a total joke.

While the Buzz has a very roomy third row, being 197" long and not wasting much length in a hood either, you can put 6 foot tall people in every row in comfort.

EV9 is even longer, and has reasonable third row, though not as generous as the Buzz since some of that length is in the hood.



Launching high trims first is basically the norm now in the car industry. Base trim is what will be $60K when it arrives, so don't expect another even more base trim below that. How many cars have you ever seen roll back MSRP??

Like I said it's simply a list of 3 row EV SUVs, it's not meant to be a like for like.

 

[LastDayScout]

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.

I rented a Pacifica when my family went to Utah to visit Bryce and Zion. It was fantastic and my kids loved it. Minivans definitely have their place. I have no clue why airport car services use Suburbans an Expeditions.

Regarding the Buzz, that is really expensive. If they are just trying to hit the demographic that remembers the OG Bus, Westy and Vanagon they may find a little success as that group technically should have more available money just based on age. But, if they are trying to entice young families too they may have a problem. With housing cost, grocery cost, etc. a cool retro $75k minivan may not be in the budget for that demographic.

 

[CarTechGeek]

Like I said it's simply a list of 3 row EV SUVs, it's not meant to be a like for like.

And I'm simply pointing out, it isn't in the same class. There are bunch of EVs near 200" and then one at 185". It's Not in the same class. Tesla Model X that you missed would fit, the EQB does not.

Fixed List:

Kia EV9: $55K
VW ID Buzz: $60K
Hyundai Ioniq9: $62K
Rivian R1S: $77K
Tesla Model X: ~$80K
Volvo EX90: $81K

 

[Scoutsie]

And I'm simply pointing out, it isn't in the same class. There are bunch of EVs near 200" and then one at 185". It's Not in the same class. Tesla Model X that you missed would fit, the EQB does not.

Fixed List:
Kia EV9: $55K
VW ID Buzz: $60K
Hyundai Ioniq9: $62K
Rivian R1S: $77K
Tesla Model X: ~$80K
Volvo EX90: $81K

I reread this whole thread to see if I missed context, but I’m just not following… apart from them all having three rows and all being electric, these are SUVs. I don’t understand why you’re putting the Buzz here? It’s a minivan or a light commercial vehicle. Why is this comparison needed? Wouldn’t it make more sense to compare the pricing against the Pacifica or the Sienna?

 

[CarTechGeek]

I reread this whole thread to see if I missed context, but I’m just not following… apart from them all having three rows and all being electric, these are SUVs. I don’t understand why you’re putting the Buzz here? It’s a minivan or a light commercial vehicle. Why is this comparison needed? Wouldn’t it make more sense to compare the pricing against the Pacifica or the Sienna?

What's the real difference between modern Unibody SUV and a minivan, that would make people not cross shop them?? Do you think people are buying a Tesla Model X, or Kia EV9 to go rock crawling in Moab?

Big three row EVs like X/EV9 are the soccer Mom/Dad mobile with the same exact role as minivans, just some people seem worried about being seen in a minivan styled like a minivan, so we now have SUV styled minivans to rescue their egos.

Price should be compared to other big 3 row EVs... Because big EVs still have big price premiums.

In case you haven't noticed the new Scouts will start at about $60K, while ICE counterparts start around $40K.

https://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/
$38,710

https://www.ford.com/suvs/bronco/
$39,630

So Scout's overpriced by $20K, because we should be comparing to ICE counterparts?

 

[J Alynn]

I think we should just accept this run of commentary as done. It seems people are still going to see SUVs as one vehicular form and vans as another. I don’t know anyone who cross shops ICE mini vans with ICE SUVs and I dont see it happening in the EV market either. It was well stated that there are perceptions about mini vans. Love riding in them-will NEVER buy one. My wife hates them too. Ironically, I had an Acura sport wagon back in the day. My dealer said they couldn’t even get women to use them as a loaner-it was a 95% male oriented car. I never understood why-it was the best of all worlds as we only have one child-it solved everything. Ironically-my wife hated it
We can compare all day but the gist of this was initial pricing seems pricey for a family van-3 row or not. Perhaps we all just need to agree to disagree on the Buzz.
After all-this is the Scout Motors forum anyway!

 

[Scoutsie]

What's the real difference between modern Unibody SUV and a minivan, that would make people not cross shop them?? Do you think people are buying a Tesla Model X, or Kia EV9 to go rock crawling in Moab?

Big three row EVs like X/EV9 are the soccer Mom/Dad mobile with the same exact role as minivans, just some people seem worried about being seen in a minivan styled like a minivan, so we now have SUV styled minivans to rescue their egos.

Price should be compared to other big 3 row EVs... Because big EVs still have big price premiums.

In case you haven't noticed the new Scouts will start at about $60K, while ICE counterparts start around $40K.

https://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/
$38,710

https://www.ford.com/suvs/bronco/
$39,630

So Scout's overpriced by $20K, because we should be comparing to ICE counterparts?

Wait, what? I didn’t ask any of this.

 

[CarTechGeek]

Wait, what? I didn’t ask any of this.

No, I'm asking it, because your statements lack foundation.

You are insisting we can't compare a Buzz and an EV9 for example? Why not? How are they different? How are the use cases different?

Even worse, you insist we should compare Buzz pricing to ICE counterparts, which is hypocrisy if you don't also apply that same reasoning to the Scouts...

It makes a LOT more sense to compare the pricing of large three row EVs to other large three row EVs (regardless of styling), than it does to compare them to the ICE version, unless that is the metric you are always applying.

 

[R1TVT]

Taking any possible issues with a buyer's ego out of the equation, my guess is that Drivetrain can be a big factor for those purchasing trucks and SUV's (for real demands of doing truck and and SUV "stuff" ) and if you live in more temperate or more mountainous regions with snow and ice and mud (as one example), you may want a true SUV. If you are concerned with ground clearance and live on a dirt road with freeze/thaw, or if you tow a boat and need to get the boat up a ramp at low tide, you might want a 4X4 truck.

If we are comparing a Buzz for cross-shopping purposes, it may not make sense to compare the lower-priced RWD model... The model to compare would be that higher priced variant with AWD which does have a few more HP.

I scraped this off an Inside EV's article:

2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Review: Where’s The Vision?​

BUZZ: $61,545 for a base model with monotone paint, $65,045 for the volume Pro S Plus, $69,545 if you want AWD and $71,545 for the AWD First Edition

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

No, I'm asking it, because your statements lack foundation.

You are insisting we can't compare a Buzz and an EV9 for example? Why not? How are they different? How are the use cases different?

Even worse, you insist we should compare Buzz pricing to ICE counterparts, which is hypocrisy if you don't also apply that same reasoning to the Scouts...

It makes a LOT more sense to compare the pricing of large three row EVs to other large three row EVs (regardless of styling), than it does to compare them to the ICE version, unless that is the metric you are always applying.

I think you need to calm down on the rhetoric.

There are exactly 0 vehicles directly comparable to the ID.buzz, so people who are including it in their shopping comparisons are going to come at it from lots of different spaces with lots of different perspectives. People in this forum, in particular, are a lot more likely to cross-shop ICE, PHEV, and BEV than we might find in other spaces.

 

[Scoutsie]

No, I'm asking it, because your statements lack foundation.

You are insisting we can't compare a Buzz and an EV9 for example? Why not? How are they different? How are the use cases different?

Even worse, you insist we should compare Buzz pricing to ICE counterparts, which is hypocrisy if you don't also apply that same reasoning to the Scouts...

It makes a LOT more sense to compare the pricing of large three row EVs to other large three row EVs (regardless of styling), than it does to compare them to the ICE version, unless that is the metric you are always applying.

You’re putting significantly more energy into this than me. This isn’t worth the investment.

 

[CarTechGeek]

I think you need to calm down on the rhetoric.

There are exactly 0 vehicles directly comparable to the ID.buzz, so people who are including it in their shopping comparisons are going to come at it from lots of different spaces with lots of different perspectives. People in this forum, in particular, are a lot more likely to cross-shop ICE, PHEV, and BEV than we might find in other spaces.

There are no direct comparison, but the only fair price comparison is the other large three row EVs because they have the same large EV production cost penalties.

That is just the reality of current EV production. It's no more fair to expect the Buzz to be priced like a Sienna, than it is to expect the Terra to priced like an ICE F150.

Simply disliking Minivans doesn't make them cost less to produce that other large EVs...

 

[Mousehunter]

This was their concept - about the same length, 270 mile range (at least on this article).

This is a more current picture

I guess it is mostly my fault - I did not look for the production limitations that concept vehicle. The fit of the panels was too tight. The front end being 2 pieces would be one hell of an expensive fix after a collision. Not sure how the side doors would have opened over the wheel wells. Not 100% why they ditched the smoother transition from the hood to the windows, but I guess it would have resulted in too much windshield. Regardless, they removed all the cute. They left, an unattractive, just another mini-van.

 

[R1TVT]

I don't think anyone is here is disliking or hating on mini-vans, rather the debate seemed to be around "who will be the target market?". From this discussion, it sounds like they could be:

1. A subset of 3-ROW SUV buyers (the ones that don't really need a SUV to do SUV things, except maybe to haul cargo)
2. Any mini-van buyer! (ICE, EV, PHEV)
3. Nostalgic, VW van-boomers with extra retirement funds
4. A potentially new & emerging wave of VW Buzz van-fans that think its cool (have disposable income / enjoy festivals like Coachella) - JOKING
5. Small businesses could also jump on the Buzz for some utility and some allure with advertising for their biz? Maybe UBER & local last mile delivery drivers too.

For the buyers coming from category 1 (which is likely most applicable to the discussion here with Scout Motors), it sounds like those buyers aren't looking to air-down and take their "SUV" into the dunes for some fishing or surfing anyway, so this Buzz could be a fine choice for that group.