Skip advert
Advertisement

Electric Van of the Year 2023: Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo is the 2023 Auto Express Electric Van of the Year, with the Ford E-Transit and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric commended

The arrival of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo has injected some much-needed style into the electric van class. Here’s a work vehicle that, with its striking Type 2-inspired looks, turns heads wherever it goes, which could be ideal if you
want your company to stand out from the crowd.

However, this is an electric van that backs up its style with plenty of substance. Under the skin, it uses the same platform and running gear as Volkswagen’s ID.3 and ID.4 EVs, and thanks to its size, the ID. Buzz Cargo packs the largest 77kWh battery that VW has to offer. That means a driving range of 260 miles is easily achievable, making this a long-distance champ in the electric van market.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Sure, a cargo capacity of 3.9 cubic metres means the ID. Buzz Cargo doesn’t offer the largest cargo bay for its size, but a one-tonne payload is offered, and the car-like dynamics make up for it.

Our choice

VW ID. Buzz Cargo Commerce Plus £44,610 (ex. VAT)

There are just two trim options on offer, but Commerce Plus justifies its extra cost with sharper looks and a suite of standard-fit safety and driver-assistance tech. Even better, strong residuals mean that monthly finance rates are very competitive when compared with electric van rivals.

Commended

Ford E-Transit

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

In the large electric van class, nothing comes close to last year’s electric van winner. The E-Transit delivers all of the space offered by the standard model, while a 68kWh battery provides nearly 200 miles of range. The Pro Power Onboard system means the drive battery can be used as a power source for tools, too.

Vauxhall Vivaro Electric

If your priority is practicality over head-turning looks, then the Vivaro Electric (or similar options from Citroen, Fiat, Peugeot and Toyota) is still a top choice. A 75kWh battery offers a WLTP range of up to 205 miles, while car-like manners mean that this is a model that’s relaxing to drive.

Advertisement - Article continues below

You’ll find all the information on our New Car Awards 2023 winners and the reasons why we chose them on these pages. Just follow the links below to read more…

New Car Awards 2023: the winners

Special edition of Auto Express

Auto Express Issue 1,787

Subscribe to Auto Express magazine

You can buy individual issues of Auto Express or subscribe for even bigger discounts on the print magazine cover price. You can also subscribe or download individual issues of our digital edition direct to your desktop, phone or tablet as well.

Stay right up to date with the latest from the world of cars in 2024 and beyond, subscribe to our email newsletter and follow us on social media...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior test editor

Dean has been part of the Auto Express team for more than 20 years, and has worked across nearly all departments, starting on magazine production, then moving to road tests and reviews. He's our resident van expert, but covers everything from scooters and motorbikes to supercars and consumer products.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best 7-seater cars to buy 2026
Best 7-seater cars - June 2026 update, header image

Best 7-seater cars to buy 2026

We pick the best seven-seater cars for family life across a wide range of price points
Best cars & vans
1 Jun 2026
Volkswagen ID. Buzz review
Volkswagen ID. Buzz - main image

Volkswagen ID. Buzz review

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an expensive but highly practical and enjoyable modern take on a classic
In-depth reviews
27 Apr 2026
Three-car garage: used Ford Mustang, MINI Cooper and Volkswagen ID. Buzz for £90k
Three-car garage for £90,000 - header image

Three-car garage: used Ford Mustang, MINI Cooper and Volkswagen ID. Buzz for £90k

Renault’s Twingo is the latest retro name to make a return. Here we’ve picked three other successful comebacks that you can buy used on our Marketplac…
Features
2 Apr 2026
Best electric vans 2026
Best electric vans - header image, March 2026

Best electric vans 2026

We reveal the best electric vans to buy or lease in the UK right now
Best cars & vans
26 Mar 2026

Most Popular

New Land Rover Defender Sport: baby SUV hedges bets with EV and hybrid power
New baby Land Rover Defender render - watermarked

New Land Rover Defender Sport: baby SUV hedges bets with EV and hybrid power

The new Land Rover Defender Sport will sit below the existing Defender in both size and price, and our exclusive image previews how it could look
News
17 Jun 2026
New Honda Super-N 2026 review: little EV is fun and full of character
Honda Super-N and Richard Ingram

New Honda Super-N 2026 review: little EV is fun and full of character

Honda's quirky Super-N is compromised on paper, but in reality it's a fun and efficient small EV
Road tests
19 Jun 2026
New BMW i3 on sale now: electric 3 Series finally ready to take on Tesla Model 3
BMW i3 50 xDrive - front 3/4

New BMW i3 on sale now: electric 3 Series finally ready to take on Tesla Model 3

Are you watching Tesla, Polestar, Audi and Mercedes? The new BMW i3 is here setting new standards with its huge 563-mile range
News
18 Jun 2026

Find a car with the experts