00:39 23-01-2026

Volkswagen ID.Buzz award mistake highlights car award flaws

In 2025, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz earned the prestigious title of North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. However, just a few months later, the model was pulled from the U.S. market due to low demand, a high price, and a limited driving range. The president of NACTOY has now admitted the decision was a mistake. He stated that if the jury had known the model's real prospects, the award might have gone to the Hyundai Santa Fe, which lost by only a few points.

What Went Wrong with the ID.Buzz

The electric minivan received excellent reviews for its style and atmosphere but faced market reality: poor reliability according to J.D. Power, high cost, and a lack of buyer interest. Amid growing competition, Volkswagen simply stopped its sales in the U.S., which called into question the very meaning of the awarded prize.

The Limitations of Awards and Tests

This situation shows that car awards are always limited to the moment a model launches. The jury evaluates a new vehicle here and now, without knowing future demand, reliability, or the model's fate. The winner often ends up being the best among available contenders but isn't necessarily the best in the segment overall. Some cars aren't even allowed in the competition due to timing issues.

Can Car Awards Be Made Fairer?

Ideally, a system would let buyers set their own priorities, similar to tire tests: giving more weight to reliability, comfort, efficiency, or performance would adjust the rating for specific conditions. However, creating such a multi-level, independent methodology requires huge costs and thousands of hours of testing, making it practically unattainable for automotive media.