New Volkswagen ID Buzz vs Volkswagen Multivan: costs
Everyone’s buying big SUVs these days, so why not stand out from the crowd? These two versatile Volkswagens will carry a growing family in style, whether you prefer hybrid or electric power...
Buying and owning
Costs, equipment, reliability, safety and security
If you’re a company car driver paying benefit-in-kind tax, the Volkswagen ID Buzz will be way cheaper. However, there’s only £4 a month in it if you’re signing up to a PCP finance agreement, and although the Volkswagen Multivan is £3250 cheaper to buy after dealer discounts (you won’t get a penny off the Buzz), that’s more than wiped out by its faster predicted depreciation and higher running costs. In fact, if you tot up the bills of three years of ownership, the Buzz works out around £2k cheaper for those with the wherewithal to pay cash.
That’s assuming you don’t add any options, of course – a temptation you probably won’t be able to resist. The two-tone paint both of our test cars were adorned with adds a hefty £2790, and you might be tempted by the 230V interior plug socket in the Buzz (£410). The list of options on the Multivan is as long as the car itself; you can even add an auxiliary heater (£1518) to keep the interior warm when you’re parked up.
Both cars are reassuringly safe; despite the Multivan’s looks and slightly rudimentary driving manners, it’s actually based on the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen Golf, while the Buzz shares much with the Volkswagen ID 4 SUV. Once you realise that, it’s easier to understand the fivestar Euro NCAP safety ratings that both cars were awarded.
What’s more, both cars scored top marks for their ability to protect kids in child seats, with the Buzz performing a bit better for adult occupant safety. Both have loads of active safety aids to prevent you from having a crash in the first place, too.
The Buzz can accept up to 170kW of power from a public CCS charger, for a 10-80% top-up in around half an hour. From a 7kW wallbox at home, expect to wait around 12 hours for a 0-100% charge in the Buzz and 3hr 40min in the Multivan.
