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Mercedes-Benz VLE vs VW ID.Buzz
Selected trim300Change trim397 mi · 115 kWh · Not available
At a glance
In this comparison, Mercedes-Benz VLE leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the VW ID.Buzz leads on value for money.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Mercedes-Benz VLE if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the VW ID.Buzz if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Mercedes-Benz VLE wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueVW
Mercedes-Benz
0
VW
6.1
Motorway RangeMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
8.5
VW
5.9
FamilyMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
10
VW
9.1
ChargingMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
9
VW
7.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz VLE300 | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not available | £60,005 |
| Official range | 397 miles (better) | 282 miles |
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 7.6 sec |
Size Comparison
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Mercedes-Benz VLE
VW ID.Buzz
Length
Mercedes-Benz VLE5,200mm
VW ID.Buzz4,712mm-488mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz VLE1,930mm-55mm
VW ID.Buzz1,985mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz VLE1,900mm-25mm
VW ID.Buzz1,925mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz VLE300 | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,200 mm | 4,712 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,930 mm (better) | 1,985 mm |
| Height | 1,900 mm | 1,925 mm |
| Turning circle | Not available | 11.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 470 mm spare (better) | 415 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz VLE300 | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 8 (better) | 5 |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Mercedes-Benz VLE
- Built on an 800 V architecture, one of 2 MPVs we track with a 700 V+ battery system.
- 397 mile WLTP range, longer than 100% of MPVs we track.
- At 5,200 mm, longer than 95% of MPVs we track.
VW ID.Buzz
- 282 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of MPVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 185 kW, faster than 85% of MPVs in our catalogue.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz VLE 300 |  VW ID.Buzz Life 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5.20m | 4.71m-488mm |
| Width | 1.93m | 1.99m+55mm |
| Height | 1.90m | 1.93m+25mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.43m | 2.99m-441mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | Not available | Not available |
| Seats | 8 (better) | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | Not available | 11.1m |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 115kWh (better) | 79kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 397 mi (better) | 282 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 315kW (better) | 185kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | £60,005 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | MPV | MPV |
| Available | 2026+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz VLE300 | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 397 miles (better) | 282 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 331 miles (better) | 235 miles |
| Max rapid charge rate | 315 kW (better) | 185 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 115 kWh (better) | 79 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz VLE300 | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 7.6 sec |
| Power | 200 kW | 210 kW (better) |
| Torque | 480 Nm | 560 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Mercedes-Benz VLE
300
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
VW ID.Buzz
Life 5-seat SWB
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Mercedes-Benz VLE
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
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 - VW ID.Buzz Life 5-seat SWB
Tested 2022
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 | Mercedes-Benz VLE300 | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz VLE
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.Buzz
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Mercedes-Benz VLE
No active listings.
VW ID.Buzz
- £50,4992025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
What are the Mercedes-Benz VLE and VW ID.Buzz like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 331 miles for the Mercedes-Benz VLE and 235 miles for the VW ID.Buzz - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz VLE goes roughly 96 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz VLE or the VW ID.Buzz?
The Mercedes-Benz VLE is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 55 mm narrower than the VW ID.Buzz. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 470 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz VLE and about 415 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.Buzz.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Mercedes-Benz VLE or the VW ID.Buzz?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Mercedes-Benz VLE and 84% for the VW ID.Buzz. 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.
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
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
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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 Mercedes-Benz VLE and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best family EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz VLE and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz VLE and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz VLE and VW ID.Buzz rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz VLE and VW ID.Buzz rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz VLE and VW ID.Buzz rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
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 .