Volkswagen Rolls Out ID. Buzz Freestyle With Unpainted Bumpers, Costs €50K

Exclusive to the two-row family hauler rather than the single-row cargo van, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Freestyle isn't particularly affordable either at 49,997 euros and 85 cents. In other words, just around 55,315 buckaroos at current exchange rates, including value-added tax.

Said price would be slightly easier to take in had the Freestyle been equipped better. The most offending detail comes in the form of unpainted bumpers fore and aft, as if the Freestyle is a work-oriented panel van instead of a zero-emission family vehicle. Speaking of which, the most affordable version of the ID. Buzz Cargo is the Pure at 50,824.90 euros. That kind of money could otherwise get you a Transporter Kombi, an Amarok, or a Crafter in panel van flavor.

Beyond the unpainted bumpers, the poverty-spec aesthetic of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Freestyle is further emphasized by the 18-inch steelies framed by silver-painted wheel covers. The only redeeming visual touch is a pair of black decals on the lowermost part of the doors.

Candy White is the only no-cost paint color, while Moon Silver adds 1,035 euros to the final price. Stepping inside reveals cloth upholstery that wouldn't look out of place on the seats of a 10-year-old Golf. The plastics aren't too convincing either, but looking at the glass half full, prospective customers do get 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment.

The system knows how to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard goodies also include Air Care Climatronic dual-zone climate control, manually height-adjustable front seats, traffic sign recognition, keyless start, and emergency braking assistance with pedestrian and cyclist detection. Equipped with contrasting black side mirror caps, the Freestyle also rocks LED exterior lighting.

Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge's build & price tool shows 329 kilometers on a full charge as the WLTP driving range, meaning 204 miles in conditions that can hardly be replicated in real life. Only available with the base 59-kWh battery, the Freestyle uses a rear-mounted electric motor that puts out 170 pferdestarke or 168 mechanical horsepower.

Peak torque is 310 Nm or 229 pound-feet. Also equipped with folding tables on the backrests of the front seats as standard, the five-seat Freestyle needs 10.7 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour or 62 miles per hour. Then again, what did you expect from a single-motor electric van that weighs just shy of 5,300 pounds?

When it comes to charging, Volkswagen's commercial vehicle division highlights 165 kilowatts on direct current at quick-charging stations. That's an advertised 24 minutes from 10 to 80 percent, which is alright for a 400-volt system. The folks at Hyundai and Kia, meanwhile, use an 800V architecture.