It’s been more than two decades, but the Volkswagen camper is finally back on the road in the United States. The upcoming launch of the all-electric ID. Buzz not only marks the return of the much-missed VW camper to the U.S. market, but it also helps fill a void in compact, affordable mini camper options in general. With a starting price of under $75,000, the first American ID. Buzz camper proves to be a welcome departure from the $100,000 camper prices common across the country.
Two weeks ago, Peace Vans announced its first plans for the American-market ID. Buzz camper van we’ve seen. It released its own initial pricing information, but there was no official price tag for the ID. Buzz. Potential buyers were still speculating on how much a full VW camper would cost.
Volkswagen announced pricing for the ID. Buzz this week, announcing that the van will start at $59,995 before the $1,550 destination charge. Unfortunately, Volkswagen’s e-van won’t be eligible for federal tax credits because it’s built outside the U.S. at Volkswagen’s Hanover plant in Germany. That means buyers will have to foot the full bill of $61,545 for the entry-level Pro S model.
Peace Vans’ Buzz Sleeper starts at $10,995, making it the first available ID. Buzz camper for the U.S. market with a starting price of $72,540. The kit promises to include a fold-down double bed and a sliding tailgate kitchen complete with a single-burner stove, sink, and electric refrigerator. It requires removing the third row of seating and installing it behind the second row, allowing the ID. Buzz to serve as an everyday MPV without swapping out the camper box for a third row.
Peace Vans
We confirmed with Peace that their kit will be compatible with any ID. Buzz trim that Volkswagen has announced. Those looking for a more capable four-wheeler won’t yet find the off-road support that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has, but they will be able to buy a Buzz with 4Motion all-wheel drive from the factory. Buyers will have to step up to the Pro S Plus trim for this option, and will pay a base price of $69,545 including destination for the Pro S Plus 4Motion.
This means that an AWD camper with the Peace Sleeper kit will come in at a base price of $80,540. This is particularly interesting because none of the mid-size commercial vans previously available on the U.S. market (such as the Mercedes Metris and Ford Transit Connect) had all-wheel drive or AWD options. Those vans are no longer available, and both AWD and RWD ID are available. The Buzz campers mostly compete with rare minivan conversions like the Toyota Sienna (available with AWD) and the Kia Carnival (FWD only).
The ID. Buzz is stamped with an official EPA-estimated range of 234 miles (377 km) for the rear-wheel-drive model and 231 miles (372 km) for the all-wheel-drive version. That’s certainly better than the 108-mile (166 km) maximum range we saw on a larger Ford E-Transit camper concept, but Ford has since increased the high-roof Transit’s range to an estimated 148 miles (238 km). The Buzz falls short of the 270-mile (435 km) range that Grounded is currently advertising on its BrightDrop Zevo-based electric camper.
Volkswagen
The ID. Buzz’s limited range restricts the open-road freedom that Volkswagen camper vans love so much, but drivers will find the van well-equipped to enjoy zero-emission miles. The base Pro S model offers a wealth of interior features and amenities, including a 12.9-inch infotainment screen with wireless App Connect; 12-way power heated and ventilated front seats with dual armrests, massage and memory; heated second-row outboard seats; three-zone Climatronic automatic climate control; a nine-speaker audio system; and Volkswagen Car-Net with Wi-Fi.
The Pro S also reduces the stress that comes from spending long periods behind the wheel with driver assistance features such as the IQ.Drive package, Park Assist Plus with Memory Parking, front and rear Park Distance Control and Headlight Assistant.
Volkswagen
The Pro S Plus package adds a head-up display, a surround-view camera, a 700-watt 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, dual power-sliding rear doors and tailgate that open and close easily, and a manual-retractable tow hook. The optional Flexboard extends the flat floor directly to the tailgate when the seats are folded, making it a good option for those looking to camp in the Buzz without spending money on an additional camping package.
Volkswagen will start the launch with a special ID. Buzz 1st Edition. Based on the Pro S, this vehicle will feature two-tone exterior paint, special badging and interior trim, roof rail crossbars, special 20-inch wheels, and an electro-chromic glass roof that will serve as a spectacular vanlife display of the night sky. It also includes a Harman Kardon sound system, easy-open and close doors, Flexboard, and Area View. Prices start at $67,045 for RWD and $71,545 for 4Motion AWD.
As initially announced, the US-market ID. Buzz will only be offered as a three-row long-wheelbase model, measuring a still-small 195 x 78 x 75 inches (495 x 198 x 191 cm, L x W x H). All models will feature a 91 kWh battery, and the RWD model will have a 282-horsepower single-motor drive, while the AWD model will have a 335-horsepower dual-motor drive.
Peace Vans
Peace Vans plans to begin installing camper kits on customer vans in November. Along with the aforementioned Sleeper kit, it will also offer a tailgate-only kitchen called the Buzz Box and a more full-on, fixed camper floor plan called the Buzz Camper. The Buzz Box will retail for $7,995, but pricing for the Buzz Camper has not yet been finalized.
Sources: Volkswagen, Peace Vans