In this week’s post:
- We (finally) about to get the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Hippy van in the USA – but is it worth the wait?
- The Polestar 4 has no rear windows – and is it okay?
The first question comes from a Volkswagen ID.Buzz Hippy Van fan, who hates it when he’s called a “hippy.”
Q (AskNathan@TFL.com): Don’t call me a hippy, but I love the ID. Buzz van and I want to know if it’s worth the wait.
I work with your brother nearly Berkley, but I’m not a hippy! My partner and I own two EVs, a ID.4 and a Leaf + but we’re ready to upsize to something more accommodating. My partner prints tee shirts, but he’s not a hippy. It would be cool if we could get a cargo version to make his business more visual. Maybe a psychedelic wrap around it, but not like a hippy.
My question to you Mr. Nathan is if the Volkswagen ID.Buzz is worth the wait, or is there something better worth waiting for? Do you think it is something that will be an improvement over our ID.4’s operations systems? It can be a pain.
Thank you for not making fun of our hippy-ness!
Blessings!
– Kevin from San Rafael, CA
A: I am also looking forward to getting my hand on this van.
Unfortunately, we’re not getting the cargo van version of the Buzz. At least, not right away. The first units, which should be coming out within the next few months, will be 7-passenger vehicles. There is no word on the rear-drive, cargo-van coming here – yet. There will be a Pro S and Pro S Plus trims, but the first models will be the loaded-to-the-gills Launch Editions.
You can learn about the available trims here. Oh, and I promise not to make fun of the ID. Buzz Hippy Van, or you.
We’ve (Alex and Kase) have driven the European version of the van, while Tommy and I have had a look-around with static and concept versions of the ID.Buzz. There are a lot of quirks with this vehicle, and it still uses a lot of the same tech as the ID.4. Still, some of the frustrating operating systems have been improved, somewhat.
We are STILL waiting on official range, pricing and specific delivery dates on this vehicle. I can say, we expect decent range with the larger 91 kWh battery setup, over the 82 kWh battery currently used in the ID.4, despite the extra heft of the Buzz.
You mentioned using it for a work van, and I think it would definitely get attention. Just so you know, the rear seats cannot be removed from the van. You can flatten the two rear rows, having a flat surface to work with. Still, it’s not like minivans here that hav rear seats that fold into the floor, and that have removable seats.
Finally: you asked if there was anything else worth looking at. Nothing in this class looks as cool as the Buzz. So, no – there’s nothing the compares. With that being said, you might want to consider a Toyota Sienna hybrid minivan. It will hold more, get outstanding mileage, and they are available right now.
Hope that helps!
– N
The last question comes from a viewer who caught wind of Polestar’s removal of the rear glass, and they are not amused.
Q: (Via: NathanAdlen@X/Twitter) Roman, Nathan, Tommy and Andre! How can Volvo, Geely and Polestar be so STUPID!?
The first thing I did when I taught each one of my four kids to drive is to look over their shoulder. Even though they have backup cameras in their cars I had to make sure that they made sure the coast was clear. Only relying on cameras is a stupid and dangerous thing to do. And how is light supposed to get in with no rear glass?
Isn’t Volvo the “SAFETY” company? How is this safe or smart? Explain it to me like I’m 7 because I just don’t understand.
— XC6676_Bro
A: Honestly, I don’t get it either.
Polestar says it allows the designers make the unique shape, while being accommodating for rear passengers. When you look at the rear of the car, it sure looks like you could still include some glass back there.
Sorry my man, but I don’t have a solid reason this exists. I mean, what happens if the cameras are obscured, covered in show, or dust?
If you watch the video below, you’ll see Roman give you a fairly concise pre-embargo walkaround of the 2025 Polestar 4!
– N
