Volkswagen is developing a more affordable next-generation ID.Buzz as the electric van struggles to gain traction in the U.S. market. U.S. sales fell 82% in 2026, and the automaker skipped the 2026 model year for the vehicle. The upcoming version is expected to bring lower costs, improved range, faster charging and better software, although its arrival date remains uncertain.

What to Expect From the Next Volkswagen ID.Buzz

The current Volkswagen ID.Buzz is expected to return in the first half of 2027, most likely as a 2028 model-year vehicle. Volkswagen has not detailed the changes planned for its return, leaving a substantial gap for a vehicle that first reached the U.S. market for the 2025 model year.

More significant changes are being planned for the second-generation ID.Buzz. In a new interview, Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed that the next-generation model will use the Volkswagen Group’s Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which is set to succeed the current van’s MEB platform.

Speaking to Auto Express at this week’s Paris Motor Show, Schäfer acknowledged the model’s appeal while identifying its pricing as a major obstacle to commercial success.

“The car is iconic, absolutely,” Schäfer said. However, he also acknowledged that the retro-inspired electric minivan faces a cost disadvantage, explaining that it “is on the wrong cost base. That makes it difficult to really be successful and get into volume in the market, unfortunately.”

How Volkswagen Could Make the ID.Buzz More Affordable

The ID.Buzz started at around $60,000 the last time it was available in the U.S., putting it well above gas-powered minivans. Volkswagen’s next-generation model will need a more competitive price to address that gap.

Schäfer pointed to lithium-iron phosphate batteries as one potential way to reduce costs. The SSP platform could also help lower expenses because it is expected to underpin a large number of Volkswagen Group vehicles.

Beyond affordability, the new architecture is expected to bring faster charging, improved driving range and better software to the next ID.Buzz. The van is also expected to adopt the more user-friendly controls found in the new ID.Tiguan.

Volkswagen has not announced when the second-generation ID.Buzz will arrive. Based on the available information, buyers may have to wait until the end of the decade for the redesigned electric van.

Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 Offer Electric Alternatives

With the ID.Buzz facing an extended break and its successor still some way off, the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 are two alternatives for buyers seeking an electric vehicle with three rows of seating.

Both are crossovers rather than minivans, but they offer an experience closer to the ID.Buzz than traditional minivans such as the Honda Odyssey.

The Kia EV9 starts at $54,900, while the Hyundai Ioniq 9 has a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $58,955. Both are less expensive than the most recently available ID.Buzz and offer greater driving range.

• Kia EV9: Starting price of $54,900 and a range of up to 305 miles.
• Hyundai Ioniq 9: Base MSRP of $58,955, with up to 335 miles of range on its most capable trim.
• Volkswagen ID.Buzz: A range of 234 miles.

In a comparison of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Volkswagen ID.Buzz, the Hyundai stood out for its range, usability, performance, comfort and lower price.

The Volkswagen’s primary advantage remains its distinctive character and retro-inspired design. However, that emotional appeal has not been enough to persuade most buyers to choose the electric van.

Can the Next ID.Buzz Compete in the Electric Vehicle Market?

A more competitive starting price closer to $50,000, combined with improved range, could give the next-generation ID.Buzz a better chance of succeeding. Its distinctive design also remains an important part of its appeal.

Volkswagen will face a changing three-row electric vehicle market by the time the redesigned van arrives. Toyota is preparing to launch the Highlander EV, while the related Subaru Getaway is also on the way.

The next ID.Buzz will need to offer more than its cheerful styling to compete with these alternatives. Lower pricing, greater range and improvements to everyday usability will be key considerations as Volkswagen develops the next version of its electric minivan.