The Volkswagen ID.Buzz leans into nostalgia so much that the EV minivan was introduced without cupholders. You know, just like the OG Type 2 Microbus! I kid. The U.S.-market ID.Buzz actually came with three built-in drink cubbies… for eight people. But the fight for frappés ended this month when VW quietly added a cupholder accessory for the second row — for 100 bucks.
This is ridiculous.
In other parts of the world, the ID.Buzz is outfitted with fold-down trays integrated into the front seatbacks. They’re similar to what you’d find in an airplane cabin, except the VW ones have a convenient drink slot and don’t come with weeks-old crumbs.
In North America, however, not only was the EV van launched two years after the Europeans got it, but Stuttgart’s superiors also decided to delete the tray from the U.S. build. Not even available as an accessory across the Atlantic, ID.Buzz 2nd-row passengers were shafted on the tray tables and, subsequently, the cupholders. This meant (EV) vanlife would include fewer PSLs (the van went on sale here last fall).
But VW apparently had a change of heart (or was deafened by the complaints), as part number 1T3061129 is now in the ID.Buzz catalog. The “Cup Holders for Second Row (Set of 2)” are exactly as described and more! (H/T to reader Richard Chen for the tip.)
Available in black to match the seat base, the cupholder pair appears to simply slide into a gap between the plastic seat base and the seat bottom cushion. And the VW cupholder accessory works with both the 2nd-row bench and the Captain’s chairs. There also looks to be a secondary pocket to use as a phone holder. Wow, such flexibility.
Downsides are that the part is $98 (plus shipping), and you can only fit two on the bench seat. But, if you’re thirsty or just want more storage options, the accessory fits on either side of the Captain’s chairs for a potential of four cupholders for the second row. But then it’s $196 plus shipping for something that should have been built into the car.
This is ridiculous.
Not because I like PSLs (I don’t; I’m a boba kind of girl), but because the base ID.Buzz Pro S starts at $61,545. Sixty grand for an EV that has about 230 miles of range (be gentle). Yes, its design is a headturner, and the vehicle is an overall conversation magnet, here and abroad. But it’s a van, so it’s supposed to be practical and utilitarian, not some elitist coffee table book on wheels. And if you opt for the premium ID.Buzz 1st Edition AWD, you pay another $10,000 for the same risk of spilling a hot drink on your lap.
Oh, wait, per the parts description: “Do not place hot beverages in the cup holders.” Not for your precious Stanley support tumbler either, because it’s not “suitable for large, insulated containers, glass or ceramic cups.” But you know what might fit that? The $440 removable ID.Buzz Box that fits between the Captain’s chairs, plus a $68 ID.Buzz Box Organizer, which sits on top of the Box and offers another possible drink spot.
Is this the price of convenience? Shouldn’t be. This is a lot of trouble and money for, again, an accessory that shouldn’t be an accessory in the first place. Volkswagen was contacted for comment, but was unavailable at the time. This story will be updated should they send a response.
Top graphic images: Volkswagen
It should have just been the ID.Bust. Or the ID.DOA for that matter. VW keeps on proving they are the most tone-deaf company on the planet. I used to be a VW owner and a VW fan but I’m finding it very difficult to see any reason for them to continue in the U.S. market, what do they offer that nobody else does better?
People really, really, really love the Golf R. But other than that I got nothing.
I dunno, man. But around here you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting an Atlas.
What a stupid design. Cost benefit analysis likely said it would be cheaper and then people will buy our accessories. Instead people don’t buy the van.
I didn’t need any more reasons to never ever buy a VW again but damn it they just keep coming. I feel like they could really streamline the ownership experience at this point. Just give customers an oversized tablet with a light up VW on the back and haptic buttons that breaks within six months. then shuttle them to the dealership in an ID Buzzzzzzzzzz without cup holders where a service advisor will kick them directly in the nuts a few times and send them home.
Danke sein may I have another. (one year of German in high school and that’s the best I can do)
PSL?
Pakistan Super League, Party for Socialism and Liberation, or…?
Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Yes, it’s a pumpkin spice latte.
“Ve vill get zee “Amis” right vhere it hurts! In die Schtanley Coops!”
Man, the vibe was righteous! We were grooving up slowly.
I’m giving this reboot ju-ju eyeball, ain’t no holy roller.
Buzzkill.
The dudes in Wolfsburg totally harshed our mellow.
Their first plan was to make cupholders a subscription service.
Never
Again
VW
I’d love to know how much the suits saved by deleting the tray in US models.
I bet it’s less than $98.
How does one say ‘cheap bastards’ in German?
My bet is that our safety regulations were/are the real reason.
Business Opportunity:
Buy a set
3D Scan them.
Make minor change.
Use 3D scanner to print out using brightly-colored plastics.
Take great photos and market for $79 including shipping on Amazon.
Profit.
My 3 takes:
At least they aren’t built in, leaving holes on the carpet and trim when you get rid of them.
I’m sure the aftermarket will fill those gaps. Probably with custom shapes for whatever you want to stick there. Maybe it’s time to buy a 3D printer and sell crap on Etsy? Looks like good margins!
Speaking of gaps; wasn’t there something about a recall for too much room in the back seat? Why not fill that room with cup holders.
Seriously, not having the available space divided up into arbitrary cylindrical/ or cone shaped spaces is fine with me, that center cup holder in the Prius would be pretty useful if it were a 4×4 inch box , not a , well I’m not sure what fits there without a lot of slop.
Why can’t they figure out a place to put your phone where it won’t be launched into your brain by an air bag, but you can still see it and maybe charge it?
I’d Velcro it to the stupid infotainment/ map/backup screen except that about once a week I need to look at it.
VW can put the organizer, and cup holders in the buzz box and cram the lot up where the sun does not shine.
At an upcoming VW board meeting, “What isn’t our minivan selling?”
Mindboggling how they keep alienating people who really want to like/buy a modern take on the Minibus.
It still stuns me that they’ve been teasing retro bus concept cars for a full quarter century, finally built one and then held it back from the US market an extra two years for good measure just to make extra sure they missed the late Boomers’ kid hauling years.
Subscription pay-model incoming.
Put all of the cup holders and extra add-ons like that into a single package called “the All American Package” and watch people pay hundreds for it