There are now more ways to get a buzz from van driving with a range of power and new style options as I found when taking two Volkswagen contrasting choices on the roads in recent weeks.
Over a year ago I had the opportunity to test drive and report on Ford’s then new Transit Custom, a van range that has transformed Ford’s van success in Ireland since then.
Volkswagen has partnered with Ford for the design and production of this van and now Volkswagen’s Transporter, built in the same factory, has been more recently released to the market.
Both the Transporter and the Transit Custom are built at the Ford Otosan factory in Turkey. The aim of the partnership between Ford and Volkswagen is to lower costs, enabling the mid-size van to better compete in what is seen as a crowded segment. But Volkswagen’s offer is coming much later to the market.
Mid-size van sector
Volkswagen’s more unique offer in the mid-size van sector is the ID Buzz Cargo, which is smaller in capacity than the Transporter, bigger than the Volkswagen’s Caddy and is, more importantly, an all-electric powered option only. They are two entirely contrasting offers and while that does not mean that they can be compared, more an issue of being considered in terms of van choices.
The Volkswagen Transporter is powered by a 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine that’s economical and delivers 2.3 tonne towing ability.
That’s why for this week I’ve looked at this unique Volkswagen van offering as I’ve driven both models in recent weeks. The offer is a new diesel Transporter van option or the more modern all-electric ID Buzz Cargo van.
The contrasts give a hit at the wide range of the Volkswagen van offering; it’s a case that there should be something for everyone.
The more traditional Volkswagen Transporter is still available with a 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine and in this case, it was matched with an automatic gearbox where there is a strong Volkswagen input.
On all of the specification details there is little to separate it from the Transit Custom previously mentioned.
The dimensions are identical, the performance is very similar, while there are a few extras of unique features that Volkswagen offers over the related Ford.
The dash layout on the new Volkswagen Transporter is almost identical to that of the Ford Transit Custom, with some minor differences.
Relative to the older Transporter 6.1, this new van is marginally (146mm) longer to give slightly more internal load space.
The first of the Volkswagen distinct offers is a unique Transporter deal called the Volkswagen 5+Promise. This includes five years’ servicing, five years’ warranty and roadside assistance. The cab interior styling is noticeably different from the previous Transporter but is very similar to the Ford offer.
Good driving
What’s to be liked about this new Transporter van is the styling, good driving position, even if it did mean a significant step up without a grab handle, and the support package on offer from Volkswagen Ireland.
The Transporter delivered excellent fuel economy for me, over 1,000km of test driving, even if the fuel filler flap is a shade fragile. When you need a van for work, that five-year Volkswagen support means a lot.
One of the more recent Volkswagen van options that I’ve had on the road was the all-electric ID Buzz Cargo, a neat van version of the ID Buzz, one of Volkswagen’s all-electric offerings, which in itself has been a head turner.
The dash layout on the Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo is clear with a large central screen and great seat position.
The ID Buzz Cargo is a fully fledged van with commercial vehicle identification and taxation status. The van is a step above Volkswagen’s Caddy in terms of load space, while it is two steps ahead in terms of styling and driving position.
The ID Buzz Cargo has all of the driving feel and performance of the passenger version of the ID Buzz.
In styling terms, it was a little understated in the fact the test van was black in colour, compared with the two-tone colouring of the passenger version that I had on the road more than a year ago.
What’s to be liked about the ID Buzz Cargo is the comfort, performance, lovely driving position and ease of use. This is a mid-size electric van that’s easy to drive and relatively easy to live with based on its range.
It has the capacity to carry two euro pallets and comes with two sliding side doors. But like everything in life there can be some compromises.
Work needs
Van choices are about work. You need to spec out a van to meet your work needs, whether its for farming or agri support sectors. And the important features are range for rural users, load space and towing ability.
This latter feature is important because many vans come with towing performance levels that now exceed those of some 4x4s.
Just make sure that you specify the towing pack when buying any van, because retrofitting towbars to modern vans has become an issue, impacting on their re-sale value.
The towing ability of the Transporter is still more than double that of the ID Buzz Cargo and that too can be a deciding factor
Electric power is also still pricey, and the ID Buzz Cargo is more expensive to buy than the Transporter. It is also more expensive than the traditional Volkswagen Caddy van. You need to know your range needs and also how cost-effective you can make your electric van charging programme. You’ll have no such thoughts with the Transporter, while there is an electric version on offer.
The towing ability of the Transporter is still more than double that of the ID Buzz Cargo and that too can be a deciding factor.
And then there is the payload differences, probably not helped by the fact that the ID Buzz Cargo battery means that it has a kerb weight of 2.4 tonnes, before you load it.
The new Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo is an all-electric mid-size van that’s modern and comfortable to drive. Entry prices are expensive at €47,550 or £48,421 in N Ireland, both prices including VAT.
On balance, the ID Buzz Cargo may deliver plenty of pluses in a modern world, but for rural van drivers, the Transporter will be the leading choice.
And you’ll have to consider the Ford Transit Custom as the most obvious alternative at that point.
There are now more ways to get a buzz from van driving with a range of power and new style options as I found when taking two Volkswagen contrasting choices on the roads in recent weeks.
Over a year ago I had the opportunity to test drive and report on Ford’s then new Transit Custom, a van range that has transformed Ford’s van success in Ireland since then.
Volkswagen has partnered with Ford for the design and production of this van and now Volkswagen’s Transporter, built in the same factory, has been more recently released to the market.
Both the Transporter and the Transit Custom are built at the Ford Otosan factory in Turkey. The aim of the partnership between Ford and Volkswagen is to lower costs, enabling the mid-size van to better compete in what is seen as a crowded segment. But Volkswagen’s offer is coming much later to the market.
Mid-size van sector
Volkswagen’s more unique offer in the mid-size van sector is the ID Buzz Cargo, which is smaller in capacity than the Transporter, bigger than the Volkswagen’s Caddy and is, more importantly, an all-electric powered option only. They are two entirely contrasting offers and while that does not mean that they can be compared, more an issue of being considered in terms of van choices.
The Volkswagen Transporter is powered by a 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine that’s economical and delivers 2.3 tonne towing ability.
That’s why for this week I’ve looked at this unique Volkswagen van offering as I’ve driven both models in recent weeks. The offer is a new diesel Transporter van option or the more modern all-electric ID Buzz Cargo van.
The contrasts give a hit at the wide range of the Volkswagen van offering; it’s a case that there should be something for everyone.
The more traditional Volkswagen Transporter is still available with a 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine and in this case, it was matched with an automatic gearbox where there is a strong Volkswagen input.
On all of the specification details there is little to separate it from the Transit Custom previously mentioned.
The dimensions are identical, the performance is very similar, while there are a few extras of unique features that Volkswagen offers over the related Ford.
The dash layout on the new Volkswagen Transporter is almost identical to that of the Ford Transit Custom, with some minor differences.
Relative to the older Transporter 6.1, this new van is marginally (146mm) longer to give slightly more internal load space.
The first of the Volkswagen distinct offers is a unique Transporter deal called the Volkswagen 5+Promise. This includes five years’ servicing, five years’ warranty and roadside assistance. The cab interior styling is noticeably different from the previous Transporter but is very similar to the Ford offer.
Good driving
What’s to be liked about this new Transporter van is the styling, good driving position, even if it did mean a significant step up without a grab handle, and the support package on offer from Volkswagen Ireland.
The Transporter delivered excellent fuel economy for me, over 1,000km of test driving, even if the fuel filler flap is a shade fragile. When you need a van for work, that five-year Volkswagen support means a lot.
One of the more recent Volkswagen van options that I’ve had on the road was the all-electric ID Buzz Cargo, a neat van version of the ID Buzz, one of Volkswagen’s all-electric offerings, which in itself has been a head turner.
The dash layout on the Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo is clear with a large central screen and great seat position.
The ID Buzz Cargo is a fully fledged van with commercial vehicle identification and taxation status. The van is a step above Volkswagen’s Caddy in terms of load space, while it is two steps ahead in terms of styling and driving position.
The ID Buzz Cargo has all of the driving feel and performance of the passenger version of the ID Buzz.
In styling terms, it was a little understated in the fact the test van was black in colour, compared with the two-tone colouring of the passenger version that I had on the road more than a year ago.
What’s to be liked about the ID Buzz Cargo is the comfort, performance, lovely driving position and ease of use. This is a mid-size electric van that’s easy to drive and relatively easy to live with based on its range.
It has the capacity to carry two euro pallets and comes with two sliding side doors. But like everything in life there can be some compromises.
Work needs
Van choices are about work. You need to spec out a van to meet your work needs, whether its for farming or agri support sectors. And the important features are range for rural users, load space and towing ability.
This latter feature is important because many vans come with towing performance levels that now exceed those of some 4x4s.
Just make sure that you specify the towing pack when buying any van, because retrofitting towbars to modern vans has become an issue, impacting on their re-sale value.
The towing ability of the Transporter is still more than double that of the ID Buzz Cargo and that too can be a deciding factor
Electric power is also still pricey, and the ID Buzz Cargo is more expensive to buy than the Transporter. It is also more expensive than the traditional Volkswagen Caddy van. You need to know your range needs and also how cost-effective you can make your electric van charging programme. You’ll have no such thoughts with the Transporter, while there is an electric version on offer.
The towing ability of the Transporter is still more than double that of the ID Buzz Cargo and that too can be a deciding factor.
And then there is the payload differences, probably not helped by the fact that the ID Buzz Cargo battery means that it has a kerb weight of 2.4 tonnes, before you load it.
The new Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo is an all-electric mid-size van that’s modern and comfortable to drive. Entry prices are expensive at €47,550 or £48,421 in N Ireland, both prices including VAT.
On balance, the ID Buzz Cargo may deliver plenty of pluses in a modern world, but for rural van drivers, the Transporter will be the leading choice.
And you’ll have to consider the Ford Transit Custom as the most obvious alternative at that point.
SHARING OPTIONS