Mercedes VLE vs VW ID.Buzz Long Wheelbase

The VW ID.Buzz Long Wheelbase now has a competitor in the new Mercedes VLE. Which one is the better vacation vehicle or shuttle?

The VW ID.Buzz is the electric equivalent of the VW T7 Multivan, although the two models have nothing in common, being built on completely different platforms: MQB for the T7 Multivan and MEB for the ID.Buzz. Thus, the VW ID.Buzz features rear-wheel drive, reminiscent of the famous Bulli.

The Mercedes VLE is built on the dedicated VAN.EA electric platform. However, after early market research showed that electric models in this segment were not selling well enough, Mercedes decided to adapt the platform for diesel powertrains as well.

Dimensions and Space

Although this comparison considers the VW ID.Buzz in its long-wheelbase version, it is still noticeably shorter than the new Mercedes VLE.

With a length of 4,962 mm, width of 1,985 mm, and height of 1,924 mm, the VW ID.Buzz Long Wheelbase is 347 mm shorter, 14 mm narrower, but 19 mm taller than the Mercedes VLE, which measures 5,309 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, and 1,943 mm in height.

However, the difference of more than 30 cm in overall length is not reflected in the wheelbase. The VLE’s wheelbase of 3,342 mm is only 103 mm longer than the VW ID.Buzz Long Wheelbase, which measures 3,239 mm.

The VW ID.Buzz Long Wheelbase is available with 5 to 7 seats, in either a 2+2+2 configuration (with individual seats in the second and third rows) or a 2+3+2 configuration, where the second row has a split bench seat and the third row has individual seats. The seats in the second and third rows can be removed, increasing the trunk capacity from 306 liters to 2,469 liters.

The Mercedes VLE is available with 5 to 8 seats, and customers can choose between three types of seats:

Comfort (manual adjustment)
Premium Comfort (electric adjustment)
Grand Comfort (electric adjustment with additional pillow, wireless charging, lumbar support with massage function, and electric calf support)

The luggage capacity ranges from 795 liters, and if the seats in the second and third rows are removed, it increases to an impressive 4,078 liters.Both models have sliding side doors: manual on the VW and electric on the Mercedes.

Interior and Technology

The interior of the VW ID.Buzz reflects the characteristics of the MEB platform. It includes:

a 12.9-inch multimedia display with updated software
illuminated sliders for audio volume and temperature below the screen
a 5.3-inch display for the digital instrument cluster

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and ChatGPT-based voice control are available, while a head-up display is optional.

Mercedes offers a more luxurious dashboard with up to three displays:

a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
a 14-inch multimedia display
an optional 14-inch display for the front passenger

The multimedia system uses the new MB.OS operating system based on Google services.

An optional augmented-reality head-up display for navigation projects images onto a virtual 23.1-inch screen (58.7 cm projection distance).

In the rear, the Mercedes VLE can optionally be equipped with a 31.3-inch panoramic display with 8K resolution that folds down from the roof. Together with the 3D Burmester audio system (22 speakers with Dolby Atmos), the luxury van can transform into a mobile cinema with Wi-Fi and HDMI connectivity.

Communication is managed by the MBUX virtual assistant, which, thanks to integration with ChatGPT and Google Gemini, can now handle more complex conversations. Those who want to use the VLE for business meetings while traveling can use the screen and webcam with the Microsoft Teams app.

Motors and Batteries

The Mercedes VLE has a significantly larger battery of 115 kWh net, while the VW ID.Buzz has a 91 kWh gross (86 kWh net) battery. Both models are available with either one or two motors.

At launch, the Mercedes VLE is available as the VLE 300, featuring a 203 kW (275 PS) electric motor on the front axle and the 115 kWh battery, giving it a WLTP range of 700 km.

The VW ID.Buzz Long Wheelbase has a 210 kW (286 PS) rear motor paired with the 86 kWh battery, delivering a WLTP range of 467 km.

The huge difference in range is not explained only by the larger battery in the Mercedes; the VLE is also more efficient, consuming 18.6 kWh/100 km compared to 20.4 kWh/100 km for the VW.

The VW ID.Buzz also has a dual-motor version producing 250 kW (340 PS) (286 hp from the rear motor and 109 hp from the front), with a slightly lower range of 456 km.

Mercedes will later offer an all-wheel-drive version as well. The VLE 400 4Matic will produce 415 PS and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds.

Mercedes VLE also offers significantly better charging performance. Thanks to its 800-volt platform, charging power reaches 315 kW, compared to 200 kW for the VW. However, the 10–80% charging time is nearly the same, since the VW has a smaller battery:

25 minutes – Mercedes
26 minutes – VW

In 2027, a cheaper version with an 80 kWh LFP battery will be introduced for the Mercedes VLE 250, offering a WLTP range of about 500 km.

The Mercedes VLE also features a more sophisticated chassis with air suspension and rear-wheel steering. The optional air suspension allows the ground clearance to be adjusted by up to 40 mm, while the rear-wheel steering (up to 7.3°) reduces the turning circle to 10.9 meters. By comparison, the VW ID.Buzz Long Wheelbase has a turning circle of 11.8 meters, almost 1 meter larger, even though it is more than 30 cm shorter than the Mercedes VLE.

Because it is longer, the Mercedes VLE 300 is also heavier, weighing around 3 tons (exact figure not yet announced), while the VW ID.Buzz Long Wheelbase weighs 2,780 kg, giving it a slightly higher payload.

However, the VW ID.Buzz Long Wheelbase can tow 1.6 tons with one motor and 1.8 tons in the GTX dual-motor version, while the Mercedes VLE 300 can tow 1 ton, and the VLE 400 4Matic can tow up to 2.5 tons.

Prices

Mercedes has not officially announced prices yet, but the Mercedes VLE 300 launch version, available from summer, will start at over €80,000.The VLE 400 4Matic, which will appear later, will cost around €94,000. Those with a smaller budget will have to wait for the VLE 250 with LFP battery, which will start at just under €68,000.

By comparison: