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BMW iX1 vs VW ID.Buzz Cargo
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX1 leads on value for money, motorway range and running costs, while the VW ID.Buzz Cargo leads on family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW iX1 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the VW ID.Buzz Cargo if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW iX1 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBMW
BMW
6.4
VW
5.2
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.9
VW
2.8
FamilyVW
BMW
7.4
VW
8.6
ChargingVW
BMW
4.1
VW
5.8
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9.3
VW
1.8
City DrivingBMW
BMW
4.6
VW
1.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
- £7,156 cheaper
- 118 miles more WLTP range
- 0.7 m tighter turning circle
- 2 more seats
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,065 (better) | £44,221 |
| Official range | 320 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| Boot space | 490 L | Not available |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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BMW iX1
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Length
BMW iX14,500mm-212mm
VW ID.Buzz Cargo4,712mm
Width
BMW iX11,845mm-140mm
VW ID.Buzz Cargo1,985mm
Height
BMW iX11,616mm-283mm
VW ID.Buzz Cargo1,899mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,712 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,845 mm (better) | 1,985 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,104 mm (better) | 2,211 mm |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,899 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.9 m (better) | 12.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 555 mm spare (better) | 415 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 (better) | 3 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L | Not available |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1495 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 1,000 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport |  VW ID.Buzz Cargo Commerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.50m | 4.71m+212mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.99m+140mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | 2.21m+107mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.90m+283mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.99m+297mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L | Not available |
| Boot (seats down) | 1495L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 (better) | 3 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.9m (better) | 12.6m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,288kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,000kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64.7kWh (better) | 59kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi (better) | 202 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 185kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 (better) | £44,221 |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) | £44,221 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Van |
| Available | 2023+ | 2022+ |
* BMW iX1: 11 kW AC is standard; 22 kW AC was an option.
* BMW iX1: Rating from the BMW X1 (2022), which covers the iX1. An extra pole test on the iX1 showed weak chest protection, without changing the stars.
* BMW iX1: Current figure, after a March 2026 efficiency update. Earlier cars: xDrive30 259-270 miles WLTP, eDrive20 268-296 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles (better) | 168 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 185 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh (better) | 59 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | Not available |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 125 kW |
| Torque | 247 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - VW ID.Buzz Cargo Commerce 59 kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant84%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist73%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
Owners love
- Owners rate the cabin quality, design and technology highly, and find the BMW app reliable
- Agile and enjoyable to drive for its size, with good visibility from the raised seating position
- Real-world range of around 220-260 miles in mild weather is commonly reported with sensible driving
Watch out for
- Winter and fast motorway driving cut range noticeably, with some owners seeing under 200 miles
- Many features were in paid option packs, so two cars of the same trim can be very differently equipped
- Some owners find the ride firm and road noise intrusive, and the seats less comfortable than rivals
Owner tips
- The front-wheel-drive eDrive20 goes further on a charge; the xDrive30 is quicker but rarely needed
- Check which option packs a car has, especially Technology Plus for adaptive cruise
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Commerce 59 kWh
Owners love
- Excellent real-world range of 250-280 miles on a single charge, sufficient for typical weekly commercial and personal use
- Fast charging capability at 170-180kW enables 5-80% charges in approximately 30 minutes
- Smooth, car-like driving experience with nimble handling, strong acceleration, and minimal cabin noise
Watch out for
- Very limited payload capacity and 1,000kg towing limit significantly restrict commercial use compared to traditional vans
- Electronics and infotainment system suffer from poor usability, unintuitive menus, and touchscreen-only climate controls lacking physical buttons
- Regenerative braking doesn't bring vehicle to complete stop, auto hold feature causes grabby/difficult low-speed maneuvering, and brakes occasionally groan
Owner tips
- Verify real-world range expectations against actual conditions when fully loaded or towing, as winter driving and cargo weight significantly reduce efficiency
- Enable 'B' mode regenerative braking and auto hold by default to improve driving feel and prevent rolling on hills
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX1
- £23,7132023Car360View
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW ID.Buzz Cargo worth the extra £7,156 over the BMW iX1?
The VW ID.Buzz Cargo costs £7,156 more than the BMW iX1. For that premium it adds 55 kW faster peak rapid charging. The BMW iX1 is not just cheaper - it also offers 118 miles more WLTP range and 2 more seats (5 versus 3). On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW iX1 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX1 or the VW ID.Buzz Cargo?
The BMW iX1 is £7,156 cheaper to buy. The BMW iX1 is cheaper to charge, roughly £136 a year versus £200 for the VW ID.Buzz Cargo, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BMW iX1 comes out roughly £7,476 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW iX1 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 267 miles for the BMW iX1 and 168 miles for the VW ID.Buzz Cargo - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW iX1 goes roughly 98 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX1 or the VW ID.Buzz Cargo?
The BMW iX1 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 140 mm narrower than the VW ID.Buzz Cargo. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 555 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX1 and about 415 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.Buzz Cargo. The BMW iX1 also turns in a 0.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW iX1 or the VW ID.Buzz Cargo?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX1 and 84% for the VW ID.Buzz Cargo. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
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More BMW iX1 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW iX1 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW iX1 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW iX1 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)Where the BMW iX1 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £15,000 (UK)
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .