VW is pushing back the ID. Buzz’s return to the U.S. to 2027
Volkswagen will reintroduce the ID. Buzz in the U.S. only in the first half of 2027 as part of the 2028 model year. With this further delay, it will be the second consecutive model year without the vehicle being available there.
Image: Volkswagen
In May 2026, VW had announced the return of the electric van for the 2027 model year. According to the automaker, the new model lineup was supposed to be gradually made available starting in August 2026 and by early 2027, with the ID. Buzz arriving in fall 2026 per industry outlet Automotive News.
As reported by Automotive News, Volkswagen of America informed its dealers on September 24, 2026, about a new timeline. The day before, VW had listed the 2027 model year ID. Buzz in a press release regarding the in-car gaming feature AirConsole.
In a statement, VW describes the 2028 model year as a package of various improvements. The changes announced for the skipped model year are set to remain in place. These include charging via NACS through an adapter, one-pedal driving, physical buttons on the steering wheel, and the Tourer trim line aimed at camping enthusiasts. According to VW, the Tourer is based on the European Good Night Package. New additions include an updated software, a vehicle-to-load function, and integration of a digital key.
The revised steering wheel controls and Vehicle-to-Load function are not entirely new in the ID. Buzz. For Europe, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles announced a comprehensive update for April 2026. It includes push buttons replacing the criticized touch surfaces, along with V2L capability that can power devices up to two kW through an adapter at the charging port. VW has not specified what power output the U.S. version will offer. The manufacturer also remains silent on whether there will be any changes to the drive system, battery, or range.
Troublesome Market Launch
The ID. Buzz, which was manufactured exclusively at VW Nutzfahrzeuge in Hannover, launched in the U.S. in November 2024. At launch, it offered an EPA range of 234 miles, roughly 380 kilometers, with a starting price of just under $60,000. According to Automotive News, it was the most expensive model in VW’s U.S. lineup. High prices and range limitations constrained its appeal, industry sources cited analysts as saying.
In its first full year of sales in 2025, the ID. Buzz saw 6,140 deliveries. According to Automotive News, two sales pauses reduced volumes, compounded by two recalls and high U.S. import tariffs in effect since spring 2025. InsideEVs reported that the $7,500 federal tax credit was never available for the ID. Buzz, but its end contributed to a decline in the overall U.S. electric vehicle market. After assessing market conditions, VW confirmed in December 2025 that it would skip the 2026 model year for the U.S. without completely abandoning the model there.
In the first half of 2026, Volkswagen sold another 2,481 units. The sales of the 2025 model year appear nearly complete, according to Automotive News: Cars.com lists only 38 new ID. Buzz vehicles available nationwide.
Limited Electric Vehicle Options in the U.S.
The delay hits VW at a time when the brand’s electric lineup in the U.S. is already shrinking. In April 2026, U.S. CEO Kjell Gruner stated that new electric models would not be introduced to the U.S. until toward the end of the decade, a plan confirmed by headquarters in Wolfsburg. According to a VW spokesperson, this decision is based on the future electric platform SSP. Until then, the ID.4 and ID. Buzz should remain the focus.
In the same month, however, VW halted production of the ID.4 at its Chattanooga plant in the U.S. to focus there on the second generation of the gasoline SUV Atlas. According to VW, the inventory from the 2026 model year will meet demand for the ID.4 through 2027. The manufacturer had indicated a future version for North America in May 2026. In Europe, the successor to the ID.4 will make its world debut next month and is expected to be named ID. Tiguan. Whether this model will also make its way to the U.S. remains unclear.
Regarding the ID. Buzz, VW is clearly committed to it. A VW spokesperson told the U.S. website InsideEVs that the ID. Buzz will remain an important part of the company’s U.S. portfolio, and they are committed to its future in that market. The manufacturer plans to reveal more details about the 2028 model year in the coming months.