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Tesla Model 3 vs VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Selected trimRWDChange trim332 mi · 60 kWh · £37,990
At a glance
In this comparison, Tesla Model 3 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 Tesla Model 3 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 1.8p 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 Tesla Model 3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueTesla
Tesla
6.4
VW
5.2
Motorway RangeTesla
Tesla
5.5
VW
2.8
FamilyVW
Tesla
7.1
VW
8.6
ChargingVW
Tesla
2.3
VW
5.8
Cost Per MileTesla
Tesla
8.8
VW
1.8
City DrivingTesla
Tesla
4
VW
1.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
- £6,231 cheaper
- 130 miles more WLTP range
- 83 kW more power
- 1.0 m tighter turning circle
- 2 more seats
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,990 (better) | £44,221 |
| Official range | 332 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| Boot space | 682 L | Not available |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.2 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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Tesla Model 3
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Length
Tesla Model 34,721mm
VW ID.Buzz Cargo4,712mm-9mm
Width
Tesla Model 31,933mm-52mm
VW ID.Buzz Cargo1,985mm
Height
Tesla Model 31,440mm-459mm
VW ID.Buzz Cargo1,899mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,721 mm | 4,712 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,933 mm (better) | 1,985 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,088 mm (better) | 2,211 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,899 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.6 m (better) | 12.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 467 mm spare (better) | 415 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 (better) | 3 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 682 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 1,000 kg (better) |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Tesla Model 3
- 2nd-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 682 L.
- At 4,721 mm, shorter than 90% of saloon EVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 130 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of saloon EVs we track.
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Tesla Model 3 RWD |  VW ID.Buzz Cargo Commerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.72m | 4.71m-9mm |
| Width | 1.93m | 1.99m+52mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.09m | 2.21m+123mm |
| Height | 1.44m | 1.90m+459mm |
| Wheelbase | Not available | 2.99m |
| Ground Clearance | 137mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 682L* | Not available |
| Seats | 5 (better) | 3 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.6m (better) | 12.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,772kg (better) | 2,288kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,000kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60kWh (better) | 59kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 332 mi (better) | 202 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 175kW | 185kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,990 (better) | £44,221 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Van |
| Available | 2024+ | 2022+ |
* Tesla Model 3: Tesla publishes 682 L as total cargo volume (boot + frunk, measured to roof) — not directly comparable to standard VDA figures used by other brands.
* Tesla Model 3: Not published by Tesla; verified from multiple independent sources.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 332 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 229 miles (better) | 168 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 175 kW | 185 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | Not available | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 130 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 57.5 kWh | 59 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3RWD | VW ID.Buzz CargoCommerce 59 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.2 sec | Not available |
| Power | 208 kW (better) | 125 kW |
| Torque | 340 Nm | Not available |
| 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.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
8.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- Electrifying.com9/10
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Commerce 59 kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 - Tesla Model 3 RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users89%
Safety Assist87%
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 | Tesla Model 3RWD | 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.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
Owners love
- Excellent driving dynamics with responsive steering, handling, and smooth one-pedal regenerative braking
- Superior touchscreen interface that is intuitive, responsive, and readable in sunlight
- Growing Supercharger network offers reliable charging infrastructure with competitive pricing
Watch out for
- Removal of physical stalks for wipers and turn signals creates safety concerns and requires constant touchscreen interaction while driving
- Automatic windshield wipers frequently malfunction in light rain and drizzle due to camera-based Tesla Vision system
- Unreliable indicator stalk (on older models with stalks) frequently malfunctions or doesn't respond consistently
Owner tips
- Test drive the specific model configuration before ordering to experience controls, door handles, and touchscreen usability in real driving conditions
- Use home charging with EV-specific energy tariffs to maximize cost savings; home charging is significantly cheaper than public chargers
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
Tesla Model 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Tesla Model 3
- £32,6462025Car360View
- £30,2992025Car360View
- £29,6992025Car360View
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW ID.Buzz Cargo worth the extra £6,231 over the Tesla Model 3?
The VW ID.Buzz Cargo costs £6,231 more than the Tesla Model 3. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The Tesla Model 3 is not just cheaper - it also offers 130 miles more WLTP range, 83 kW more power and 2 more seats (5 versus 3). On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Tesla Model 3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Tesla Model 3 or the VW ID.Buzz Cargo?
The Tesla Model 3 is £6,231 cheaper to buy. The Tesla Model 3 is cheaper to charge, roughly £144 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 Tesla Model 3 comes out roughly £6,511 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Tesla Model 3 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 229 miles for the Tesla Model 3 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 Tesla Model 3 goes roughly 61 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Tesla Model 3 or the VW ID.Buzz Cargo?
The Tesla Model 3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 52 mm narrower than the VW ID.Buzz Cargo. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 467 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model 3 and about 415 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.Buzz Cargo. The Tesla Model 3 also turns in a 1.0 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Tesla Model 3 or the VW ID.Buzz Cargo?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 92% battery health for the Tesla Model 3 and 84% for the VW ID.Buzz Cargo. That gives the Tesla Model 3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Tesla Model 3's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the VW ID.Buzz Cargo's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. 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
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Tesla Model 3 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 Tesla Model 3 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Tesla Model 3 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among the best city EVsWhere the Tesla Model 3 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Tesla Model 3 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Tesla Model 3 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)Where the Tesla Model 3 and VW ID.Buzz Cargo rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £15,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .