Volkswagen has introduced a new entry-level version of its retro-inspired electric minivan, the ID. Buzz, in Europe, designed to make the zero-emission vehicle more affordable. Dubbed the “Freestyle” trim, this model offers an appealing lower price but comes with notable compromises, particularly in its minimalist design and features.
This new ID. Buzz Freestyle trim undercuts the previous base model, the Pure, by over €4,000, bringing the starting price to just under €50,000. However, what you gain in affordability, you lose in luxury. The Freestyle model features 18-inch steel wheels—yes, steel wheels—instead of the more refined alloy options available on higher trims. If you want those alloys, expect to shell out an additional €2,500. On top of that, the vehicle’s bumpers come unpainted, and the available colors are limited, with the no-cost option being the basic Candy White. You can opt for a metallic Moon Silver paint for an extra €1,035.
The interior of the Freestyle model is just as spartan as the exterior. It comes with basic cloth seats that look like they’ve been pulled from an old base model Golf Mk4. While this might not excite the style-conscious buyer, the Freestyle ID. Buzz doesn’t completely skimp on tech. It still includes a 12.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, height-adjustable front seats, and dual-zone climate control as standard.
Under the hood, or more accurately, between the axles, is a 59-kWh battery powering a rear-mounted electric motor that produces 170 horsepower. This is significantly less powerful than the GTX trim, which boasts nearly double the output. The Freestyle’s performance won’t blow anyone away—taking 10.7 seconds to reach 62 mph with a top speed capped at 90 mph—but it’s par for the course for this lower-end trim.
While the Freestyle trim cuts costs, it also underlines Volkswagen’s strategy to meet stringent fleet emissions targets in Europe. With the European market cooling off on EV sales, VW is offering more affordable electric vehicles like the ID. Buzz Freestyle and the sub-€30,000 ID.3 to keep sales buoyant. Additionally, with fleet emissions restrictions tightening further in 2025, these budget-friendly EVs might help Volkswagen avoid hefty fines for exceeding emissions limits.
For now, American buyers are only getting the stretched version of the ID. Buzz, priced notably higher than the European models. However, Volkswagen’s push for affordability in Europe suggests it’s feeling the pressure to adapt to a rapidly shifting automotive market.
In the end, the ID. Buzz Freestyle might not turn heads with its design, but it makes electric family vehicles more accessible, keeping Volkswagen competitive in the face of tightening regulations and a challenging market.
