Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo Edges Out Ford Pro E-Transit For 2023 International Van Of The Year Honors

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo, the commercial version of VW’s ID. Buzz minivan, has been crowned International Van of the Year (IVOTY) for 2023.

A panel of judges made up of 24 van experts awarded the Buzz Cargo 110 points, putting it 10 points clear of its Blue Oval rival, the new Ford Pro E-Transit. The final position on the podium was shared by the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, Nissan Townstar Zero-Emission and Mercedes-Benz eCitan, which are all based on the same platform and EV running gear.

That means the first three places in this year’s competition were awarded to electric vans, a reminder that the EV revolution isn’t only radically changing the passenger car market, but the panel van market too. Contrast this year’s result with last year’s when the combustion version of the Renault Kangoo and Mercedes eCitan jointly took home the crown.

“It’s not too often that a totally new van concept comes around and immediately enters the marketplace,” IVOTY chairman, Jarlath Sweeney said of the ID. Buzz Cargo at the presentation of the award in Hanover, Germany.

Related: New VW ID. Buzz Unveiled As A Delicious Microbus EV In Both Passenger And Cargo Van Flavors

“Congratulations to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle‘s design team on creating this unique vehicle that’s perfect for the environmentally conscious urban environment. It certainly makes a statement with its futuristic and slick styling, yet harks back to the original Transporter T1, from 70 years ago, with its V shaped bonnet, prominent VW badge, and short overhangs.”

The ID. Buzz Cargo rides on the same Volkswagen Group MEB electric platform as the ID.3 hatch, ID.4 crossover and ID. Buzz minivan, but is configured for panel van duties. Launch models feature one 150 kW (201 hp / 204 PS) electric motor driving the rear wheels that can get the unladen hauler to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 10.2 seconds and provide around 250 miles (400 km) of electric driving. Max out the 1,420 lbs (648 kg) payload, of course, and you can expect to see a sizeable reduction in that range.

Unfortunately for North American VW van fans, the company has no plans to bring the ID. Buzz Cargo to the U.S, although a long-wheelbase version of the regular ID. Buzz minivan will cross the Atlantic in early 2024.