Jayco Penguin vs Volkswagen ID. Buzz
What's the difference?

Jayco Penguin

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2019 price

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Volkswagen ID. Buzz

$56,880 - $128,880

2025 price

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Summary

2019 Jayco Penguin

2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz

By Brendan Batty

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L

Fuel Type

Electric

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Uber-cool design
Practicality
Value

Dislikes

Some wind noise
No spare wheel
So-so steering feel

2019 Jayco Penguin Summary

The days of very short caravans are over – almost no one would consider buying even a 14-foot caravan in today's age – but despite that, Jayco's simplest camper-trailer almost mimics the layout of a regular-sized vintage caravan.

At just 14-foot long, the Penguin encloses its bed, dinette and kitchen without any extensions, and does it quite smartly, too.

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2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Summary

You might call it six degrees of Kombi separation. Somewhere, somehow just about all of us have a VW bus lurking in our family and friends' back story. And this is the latest version of that familiar box on wheels to hit the Aussie market.

It’s the premium, sportier, AWD GTX version of the pure-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz.

This one-box wonder hits the retro-futurist ball out of the park and we attended its local launch to explore whether what’s under the skin supports the promise of its stunning exterior.

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Deep dive comparison

2019 Jayco Penguin 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Verdict

At nearly $25,000 the Penguin can't really be called cheap, but what does make it worth a look is the completely contained living space – the sitting, sleeping and cooking are all done inside, and that's a boon when the weather turns.

It's ideal if you want the comfort of a caravan without the bulk of one, and the ease of towing a more traditional camper-trailer offers, without the struggle of set-up.

Verdict

The only way to make this car cooler would be to add a split fold-out windscreen and a tube steel luggage rack on the roof.

It’s fast, super practical, comfortable and guaranteed to put a smile on the face of premium family buyers ready to go for something different. And that smile will extend to just about everyone who lays eyes on it. I love it.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Jayco Penguin vs Volkswagen ID. Buzz What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Jayco Penguin vs Volkswagen ID. Buzz
What's the difference?