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The VW ID.Buzz is Coming in Hot! Can It Be Used for Van Life?

an orange, 2022 Volkswagen ID Buzz van in front of a white background

And Where to Find New Cars for Sale in Houston That Are Perfect for the Outdoors

Some of us never venture outside beyond our city bubble, completely fine with sticking to the busy city streets and speedy Houston interstates. For others, secluded roads call out to us, beckoning that we venture across state lines into unfamiliar territories. For the modern nomad, this is the dream. Some people prefer waking up in a new place in new surroundings every day. No cushy hotel or Airbnb. No reporting to an office. Just you, the road, and your vehicle. Frequent road-trippers refer to this as “van life.” It's similar to RV life, but scaled down to fit inside a van. The cool thing about these vans is that they can be modified to fit the lifestyle of the frequent traveler. They are typically outfitted with amenities such as a bed, small kitchenette, and even a toilet. It takes a bit of time and financial investment to properly outfit a vehicle for van life, but it can be done. That brings us to our next topic, which is the VW ID. Buzz, the modern all-electric take on the classic van. It’s future forward, runs completely on battery, and is designed to be the next big VW electric car for sale once it hits your local Volkswagen dealer in 2024. As far as new electric cars go, the Buzz is the most likely candidate to integrate well with van life. For instance, Houston residents will finally be able to day-trip out of the city to majestic Hill Country or the sandy shores of El Jardin Beach. There are charging stations all throughout Houston as well as all along the major interstates, so you’ll never have to worry about running low on battery. Once you’ve selected your destination, you can use the ID. Buzz’s ample storage for camping gear or you can fold down the seats, break out the pillows and blankets, and sleep comfortably inside your EV’s cabin. The VW ID. Buzz should be perfect for van-lifers, cross-country travelers, and local commuters alike. Let’s review what we know so far about this game-changing EV vehicle.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz – What We Know So Far

According to the reporting that's been done so far, the VW ID. Buzz currently has a passenger version and commercial version in the works. However, those versions are specific to the European market. For the American market, the VW ID. Buzz is expected to come in a passenger version with a longer wheelbase for holding more people - and fitting more amenities. The other big topic of conversation is the battery. Hot Cars reports that the range on the European version is currently up to 263 miles on a single charge. It is expected that the battery on the American version will be larger, which means U.S. drivers should expect driving ranges closer to 300 miles on a single charge. One other idea that’s floating around is that the VW ID. Buzz will be a net-zero carbon emissions van, which few new electric cars have been able to achieve. Only time will tell if that comes to fruition. One thing that we can say for certain regarding the VW ID. Buzz and its interior space is that it's being designed to be highly accommodating to big groups. Right now, the Volkswagen Atlas is the only vehicle in the VW stable that can accommodate more than five people. It is the belief of industry experts that the VW ID. Buzz will be able to seat at least seven passengers. What's more, having that kind of interior space to work with means that those devoted to van life have lots of opportunity for making modifications. Although van-lifers should be afforded enough interior space to make modifications, we highly suggest only making modifications you can eventually undo. As a dealership that specializes in both new electric cars and used cars, we can tell you that a modified van might be a hard sell if you attempt to unload it on the open market. It’s also worth noting that modifications to the ID. Buzz may affect your Carefree Coverage, which is the warranty that comes with any late model VW vehicle. That’s just something to keep in mind for the future when you visit your local Volkswagen dealer to check out a new VW electric car for sale.

Ready to Shop for New Cars for Sale in Houston? Come On Down to VW Clear Lake!

Although you’ll have to wait until at least 2024 before the VW ID. Buzz starts hitting Volkswagen dealerships, the award-winning, all-electric VW ID.4 is on the market and worth checking out. It was the winner of the 2021 World Car of the Year award and was also recently named one of Wards 10 Best User Experiences. The VW ID.4 is consistently ranked as one of the best new electric cars on the market for its future-forward design, advanced feature package, awesome warranty, and its ability to drive up to 275 miles on a single charge (Pro model). With a starting MSRP of $37,495 (as low as $29,995 after potential federal tax credit), this makes the VW ID.4 one of the most competitively-priced new cars for sale in Houston. Ready to go for a test drive? Simply visit VW Clear Lake, which is conveniently located at 15100 Gulf Fwy in Houston. You can also give us a call at (832) 432-7969, or e-mail us directly using the contact form on our website. Not yet in the market for an electric car? No problem! As one of the leading dealers of new cars for sale in Houston, VW Clear Lake carries a wide variety of SUVs, sedans, and compacts that are meant to suit any driving style and family dynamic. We also carry a wide variety of used cars and certified pre-owned vehicles that have undergone a 100+ point inspection. Contact us today for further assistance. We look forward to helping you find the perfect VW for you!
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una camioneta Volkswagen ID Buzz modelo 2022 de color naranja frente a un fondo blanco

¡El VW ID.Buzz llega pisando fuerte! ¿Puede Ser Usado para la Vida en Furgoneta?

Y Dónde Encontrar Automóviles Nuevos en Venta en Houston Perfectos para el Aire Libre Algunos de nosotros nunca nos aventuramos más allá de nuestra burbuja urbana, completamente conformes con ceñirnos a las ajetreadas calles de la ciudad y a las rápidas carreteras interestatales de Houston. Para otros, las carreteras solitarias nos llaman, haciéndonos señas para que nos aventuremos a cruzar las fronteras estatales hacia territorios desconocidos. Para el nómada moderno, éste es el sueño. Algunas personas prefieren despertarse en un lugar nuevo y en un entorno nuevo cada día. No hay hotel cómodo ni Airbnb. No hay que presentarse en una oficina. Sólo usted, la carretera y su vehículo. Los viajeros frecuentes se refieren a esto como " vida de furgoneta." Es similar a la vida en una autocaravana, pero reducida para que quepa dentro de una furgoneta. Lo bueno de estas furgonetas es que pueden modificarse para adaptarse al estilo de vida del viajero frecuente. Suelen estar equipadas con comodidades como una cama, una pequeña cocina e incluso un baño. Se necesita un poco de tiempo e inversión financiera para equipar adecuadamente un vehículo para la vida en furgoneta, pero se puede hacer. Eso nos lleva a nuestro siguiente tema, que es el VW ID. Buzz, la moderna versión totalmente eléctrica de la furgoneta clásica. Está adelantado al futuro, funciona completamente con batería y está diseñado para ser el próximo gran automóvil eléctrico de VW a la venta una vez que llegue a su concesionario Volkswagen local en 2024. En cuanto a los nuevos automóviles eléctricos, el Buzz es el candidato con más posibilidades de integrarse bien en la vida de las furgonetas. Por ejemplo, los residentes de Houston podrán por fin hacer excursiones de un día fuera de la ciudad a la majestuosa Hill Country o a las arenosas orillas de la playa de El Jardín. Hay estaciones de carga por todo Houston, así como a lo largo de las principales carreteras interestatales, por lo que nunca tendrá que preocuparse por quedarse sin batería. Una vez que haya seleccionado su destino, puede utilizar la ID. Hay un amplio espacio de almacenamiento para el equipo de acampada o puede abatir los asientos, sacar las almohadas y las cobijas y dormir cómodamente en el interior de la cabina de su VE. El VW ID. Buzz debería ser perfecto tanto para los amantes de las furgonetas como para los viajeros a campo traviesa y los que se desplazan localmente. Repasemos lo que sabemos hasta ahora sobre este vehículo eléctrico que cambiará las reglas del juego. El Volkswagen ID. Buzz - Lo Que Sabemos Hasta Ahora Según los informes que se han hecho hasta ahora, el VW ID. Buzz cuenta actualmente con una versión para pasajeros y una versión comercial en fase de desarrollo. Sin embargo, esas versiones son específicas para el mercado europeo. Para el mercado americano, se espera que el VW ID. Buzz se presente en una versión para pasajeros con una mayor distancia entre ejes para albergar a más personas y equipar más comodidades. El otro gran tema de conversación es la batería. Hot Cars informa de que la autonomía de la versión europea es actualmente de hasta 263 millas con una sola carga. Se espera que la batería de la versión americana sea más grande, lo que significa que los conductores estadounidenses deberían esperar autonomías de conducción cercanas a las 300 millas con una sola carga. Otra idea que circula por ahí es que el VW ID. Buzz será una furgoneta con emisiones netas de carbono cero, algo que pocos automóviles eléctricos nuevos han podido conseguir. Sólo el tiempo dirá si eso llega a fructificar. Una cosa podemos decir con certeza respecto al VW ID. Buzz y su espacio interior es que está siendo diseñado para ser muy complaciente con los grandes grupos. En estos momentos, el Volkswagen Atlas es el único vehículo de la gama VW con capacidad para más de cinco personas. Los expertos del sector creen que el VW ID. Buzz tendrá capacidad para al menos siete pasajeros. Además, disponer de tanto espacio interior con el que trabajar significa que quienes se dedican a la vida en furgoneta tienen muchas posibilidades de hacer modificaciones. Aunque los furgoneteros deberían disponer de suficiente espacio interior para hacer modificaciones, le recomendamos encarecidamente que sólo haga modificaciones que pueda deshacer con el tiempo. Como concesionario especializado tanto en automóviles eléctricos nuevos como seminuevos, podemos decirle que una furgoneta modificada puede ser difícil de vender si intenta sacarla al mercado. También cabe señalar que las modificaciones de la ID. Buzz puede afectar a su cobertura Carefree, que es la garantía que viene con cualquier vehículo VW último modelo. Es algo a tener en cuenta para el futuro cuando visite su concesionario Volkswagen local para echar un vistazo a un nuevo automóvil eléctrico VW en venta. ¿Listo para Buscar Automóviles Nuevos en Venta en Houston? ¡Venga a VW Clear Lake! Aunque tendrá que esperar al menos hasta 2024 para el VW ID. El rumor empieza a llegar a los concesionarios Volkswagen, el galardonado VW ID.4 totalmente eléctrico está en el mercado y merece la pena echarle un vistazo. Fue el ganador del premio World Car of the Year 2021 y también fue nombrado recientemente una de las 10 Mejores Experiencias de Usuario de Wards. El VW ID.4 está considerado sistemáticamente como uno de los mejores automóviles eléctricos nuevos del mercado por su diseño vanguardista, su avanzado paquete de prestaciones, su impresionante garantía y su capacidad para recorrer hasta 275 millas con una sola carga (modelo Pro). Con un precio de venta recomendado inicial de $37,495 ( tan bajo como $29,995 tras el posible crédito fiscal federal), esto convierte al VW ID.4 en uno de los automóviles nuevos a la venta en Houston con precios más competitivos. ¿Listo para una prueba de conducción? Simplemente visite VW Clear Lake, que está convenientemente situado en 15100 Gulf Fwy en Houston. También puede llamarnos al (832) 432-7969, o enviarnos un correo electrónico directamente utilizando el formulario de contacto de nuestra página web. ¿Aún no está en el mercado para comprar un automóvil eléctrico? ¡No hay problema! Como uno de los principales concesionarios de automóviles nuevos en venta en Houston, VW Clear Lake cuenta con una amplia variedad de SUVs, sedanes y compactos que están pensados para adaptarse a cualquier estilo de conducción y dinámica familiar. También disponemos de una amplia variedad de automóviles seminuevos y vehículos seminuevos certificados que han sido sometidos a una inspección de más de 100 puntos. Póngase en contacto con nosotros hoy mismo si necesita más ayuda. ¡Estamos deseando ayudarle a encontrar el VW perfecto para usted!

Close-up of electric car charging, ecology transportation concept.

The Top 7 Best Practices to Extend the Battery Life of an EV

Plus, Information on Where to Find Electric Cars with the Longest Range If you’ve traveled by plane in the last twenty or so years, you know the feeling of suddenly being hyper-conscious about how much battery your cell phone has. For most travelers, it’s the source of their in-flight entertainment. Airtime hours go by way quicker when you’re crushing candies or streaming a movie. However, if you’re under the 10% benchmark, you’ll have to pull out every trick in the book to get your phone to last for the full duration of the flight. That means dimming the screen brightness, using power-saving mode, and closing out any apps that are running in the background. So, why are we bringing up cell phones in a car article? Because electric vehicles (EVs) operate on the same premise as your smartphone, and there are several best practices to employ that will extend the life of your battery. If you are a current or prospective electric vehicle driver, the seven following tips will help you get the maximum amount of mileage out of your EV’s battery. #1 – Go with Electric Cars with the Longest Range Similar to vehicles that use a combustion engine, electric vehicles are usually offered in several different trim levels. What's noteworthy about that is the upper-level trim offerings not only include additional features, but they also provide more in terms of single-charge driving distance and battery power. For instance, the standard Volkswagen ID.4 uses a 62kWh battery and gets an estimated 209 miles on a single charge; however, by upgrading to the VW ID.4 Pro model that features an 82kWh battery, drivers will get an estimated 275 miles on the single charge. Getting the most out of your battery all starts with going with EVs with the longest range, which subsequently leads to less charging stops. #2 – Follow the 80/20 Rule According to J.D. Power, electric vehicle owners can extend the overall life of their battery by following the 80/20 rule. This means never charging your electric vehicle's battery above 80% and never letting it drop beneath 20%. Following this simple best practice ensures long-term sustainability of the electric vehicle’s battery and mitigates the need for early replacement. #3 – Store Your Vehicle in a Garage Electric vehicles rely on the battery for climate control functions. For instance, if your car has been parked outside during a 100-degree day, your vehicle will use battery power to cool things down in the interior. The same goes for inverse scenarios where it's cold outside and you need the vehicle to warm up. Storing your vehicle in a relatively climate-controlled space, such as a garage, ensures that your vehicle doesn't have to work too hard to heat up or cool down. This means that drivers will get more mileage when they hit the road. #4 – Avoid Aggressive Driving Punching the accelerator, slamming the brakes, and other forms of aggressive driving are hard on any vehicle. Not only is aggressive driving a risk to yourself and other drivers, but it also causes unnecessary wear and tear on a car, electric or otherwise. However, with electric vehicles specifically, aggressive driving depletes battery power at a faster rate. By refraining from excessive speeding and other forms of aggressive driving, you will prolong your vehicle's battery life and get more single-charge mileage. #5 – Don’t Drive on Bad Tires The same way that driving on bad tires affects the performance of vehicles that use a combustion engine, the same holds true for electric vehicles. In addition to being more susceptible to punctures and losing traction during inclement weather, driving on tires in poor condition forces your vehicle to work harder. The additional effort translates to battery life depleting at a faster rate than normal. Always use high-quality tires in good condition to maximize your mileage when driving an electric vehicle. Further, always make sure to use tires that are appropriate for the season and driving surface. #6 – Avoid Carrying Unnecessary Weight Traditional vehicles carrying heavy cargo or hauling a trailer will experience decreased fuel efficiency due to the extra weight. The exact same concept holds true for electric vehicles. To get the maximum amount of mileage out of your EV's battery, avoid driving around with any unnecessary cargo. The lighter your electric vehicle is, the more single-charge distance you will get. Those who regularly carry cargo are strongly encouraged to consider electric cars with the longest range. #7 – Use Cruise Control When Possible Using cruise control eliminates the need to constantly accelerate and decelerate while on the highway. Maintaining a constant speed is a less demanding form of driving, which means drivers will maximize their battery life and mileage. It’s also worth noting that VW EV cars come with adaptive cruise control, which is a feature that will automatically slow the car down if the car you’re behind decreases its speed. If the car you’re following speeds back up, adaptive cruise control will return the vehicle to its original cruise speed. How to Learn More About VW EV Cars Those who are interested in learning more about EVs with the longest range are encouraged to look into the 2023 VW ID.4. It comes in multiple trim levels with several different feature packages to choose from. The best way to see one in person is by either contacting your local dealership. Volkswagen Clear Lake, the #1 Volkswagen dealership in Texas* has plenty of in-stock ID.4 EV SUVs for immediate delivery. It's also worth noting there is a VW EV car that's due to be released in the near future – the VW ID.7 - which is estimated to get up to 435 miles on a single charge. The first models are scheduled to go on sale in 2024 and will rank among the top electric cars with the longest range. To learn more or to take a test drive, you should contact your local VW dealership. *2022 VW Retail reports.

what's the difference

How Is the Volkswagen ID.7 Different from the ID.4?

Sizing Up the VW Electric Sedan and Its Performance Metrics It's finally happening. After years of waiting, Volkswagen is releasing their first all-electric sedan – the 2025 VW ID.7. Ever since the VW ID.4 originally debuted in 2020 and subsequently snagged the 2021 World Car of the Year Award, everybody in the industry began to wonder when their take on an electric sedan would arrive. Volkswagen’s announcement about the production of the 2024 VW ID.Buzz was a bit of a curveball. No doubt this electric bus will be a cult favorite amongst vintage bus lovers and #vanlife explorers, but the launch of an electric sedan is sure to be a car for the masses. Especially because electric sedans that can deliver range and performance for a competitive price point have the potential to make some serious waves in the EV market. So, how does the VW ID.7 stack up against the VW ID.4? The following breaks down their main performance metrics, cost of ownership, and other relevant attributes. Those who are interested in seeing an ID.4 in person are encouraged to contact their local VW dealership. VW ID.4 vs. VW ID.7 – Main Specs and Performance Metrics The first difference that sticks out like a sore thumb is the VW ID.4 is an SUV whereas the VW ID.7 is a luxurious sedan. Although they have different body styles, both can seat up to five passengers. In terms of power source, the VW ID.7 will come outfitted with either a 77kWh or 86kWh battery pack (battery may vary by market). The VW ID.4 comes with either a 82kWh or 62kWh battery pack depending on the trim level selected; Pro models come with the bigger battery. So, which one has more get-up-and-go? The 2023 VW ID.4 delivers up to 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. By comparison, the 2025 VW ID.7 is estimated to deliver 282 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque. This means the VW ID.7 has an edge on its electric SUV counterpart in terms of its ability to accelerate and overall power. That brings us to our next big topic when discussing Volkswagen ID models – max single charge driving range. Pro models of the 2023 VW ID.4 can get up to 275 miles on a single charge. Although it is not officially confirmed yet, third-party testers and spokespeople from Volkswagen report that the VW ID.7 can get up to 345 miles on a single charge. However, considering these ID vehicles are two years apart, we fully expect future generations of the VW ID.4 to have increased max driving distance that is more in line with what the VW ID.7 can do. One area where the VW ID.4 has the ID.7 beat is in the storage category. The VW ID.7 offers an estimated 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space whereas the VW ID.4 offers an expansive 64.2 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded down. Pricing and Feature Differences The 2023 VW ID.4 is offered in eight distinct trim levels, each with their own feature package and options. The starting MSRP for the standard ID.4 is $38,995; the ID.4 AWD Pro S Plus – the highest trim level – has a starting MSRP of $55,245. According to Car and Driver, the 2025 VW ID.7 will have a base price of approximately $55,000. They also report the Pro S Plus – the highest trim level – will have a starting MSRP of approximately $63,000. Keep in mind, the pricing for the VW ID.7 is not set in stone yet, so these pricing figures are subject to change. In the features and infotainment, the VW ID.7 reportedly has a few bells and whistles the VW ID.4 does not. According to recent reporting, the VW ID.7 will come outfitted with: Panoramic sunroof with smart glass Seats with a built-in massage function Next-generation infotainment system Augmented heads-up display Of course, these are features that can be integrated into future Volkswagen ID models. There’s no reason to believe the ID.7 will be the only VW EV to have them. How to Learn More About the VW ID.7 and the VW ID.4 Drivers who are interested in staying up to date with all the latest news on the VW ID.7 can do so through the Volkswagen website. Subscribers will be kept in the loop about recent developments and pre-ordering information. To learn more or to take a test drive in the VW ID.4, readers are encouraged to contact their local Volkswagen dealer. A Volkswagen associate will be happy to walk you through some of the finer points of owning a VW EV.

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