The ID. Buzz Problem: Great EV, Wrong Price, Bad Timing

Volkswagen teased us for years with hints that a modern version of its VW Bus would come to the marketplace. Finally, the automaker introduced the motoring public to the ID BUZZ, a pure-electric take on its iconic vehicle. However, with a sticker price starting over $60K, it quickly became a cult icon priced out of reach—a luxury EV that thrills and frustrates, and a contract manufacturer betting big on batteries—this one threads the real story of where electric mobility stands right now. The Volkswagen ID Buzz should have owned family EV nostalgia, but ran into U.S. pricing, tariffs, and demand headwinds. Skipping the 2026 model year isn’t surrender; it’s a hard reset that only works if VW aligns content and cost with the $40–50K sweet spot and clears dealer inventory without draining brand heat.