When we at Road & Track first tested the Volkswagen ID. Buzz a couple of years ago, we enjoyed the retro styling, spacious interior, and overall good vibes, but the high starting price and relatively short driving range put a damper on the experience. However, according to a report by Auto Express, Volkswagen is planning to address those specific shortcomings with the next-generation ID. Buzz.
It didn’t always seem like a given that VW would even give the ID. Buzz another chance. Sales have been disappointing since the start, and are continuing to fade; Q3 2026 U.S. ID. Buzz sales are down over 82 percent compared to the same period last year. In fact, with just 432 units moved in the U.S. between July and September, the ID. Buzz is the worst-selling vehicle in the VW lineup. But when Auto Express asked VW CEO Thomas Schäfer about the future of the retro-styled EV, he said that “they’re working on it.”
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That is great news for fans of the quirky van, but what does “working on it” actually mean? Well, that’s where the news gets even better. VW is reportedly making updates to the current model, but the big news is that an all-new second-generation is planned, and expected to use VW’s more advanced Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) architecture. That should translate to a longer driving range, faster charging, and more advanced software compared to the current MEB platform-based ID. Buzz.
But what about the price? Schäfer admits that the current price for the ID. Buzz is not competitive, telling Auto Express that the ID. Buzz “is on the wrong cost base. That makes it difficult to really be successful and get into volume in the market, unfortunately.” The new SSP architecture is expected to be shared across many Volkswagen Group models—and that, combined with the possible adoption of lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, could help make the new ID. Buzz more affordable. We’ll find out more, presumably, as the clock rolls on towards the new generation.