At a special awards ceremony at the Westin Hotel in Dublin, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz was named as the 2023 Irish Car of the Year in association with Continental Tyres. 

Members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), the grouping that brings together some 32 of Ireland’s most experienced motoring journalists, hosted the awards event attended by Ireland’s leading car brands, importers and distributors. The awards are voted on by the members of the MMAI who individually assess each new car model that is launched in Ireland each year.

Volkswagen took the top award with its latest all electric ID. Buzz model and, the van version, the ID. Buzz Cargo, won the Irish Van of the Year title at the same ceremony, a first in the history of the awards.  It is the third time that an electric vehicle has taken the award as Kia EVs also won the 2022 and 2020 Irish Car of the Year titles with the all electric EV6 and e-Soul respectively.

Chairman of the MMAI, Joe Rayfus: “The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a really worthy winner of the Irish Car of the Year title, it is a truly stand-out vehicle.  As the third electric vehicle to win the title, it really does confirm the onward march in Ireland towards an electric motoring future.  Just look at our field of runners for this year’s awards, more than half of the contenders are available as either partial or full electric vehicles”. 

Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor, Continental Tyres said: “After the Covid disruption that impacted on the Irish Car of Year awards over the past couple of years, we are delighted to be back with these awards for 2023.  The MMAI jurors provide a great service to Irish motorists in providing a really helpful insight into the broad range of increasingly sophisticated car models that are launched here each year.  No doubt, the Irish Car and Irish Van of the Year titles will be a huge boost to the popularity of the ID. Buzz in the new vehicle market in January and throughout 2023.”

Accepting the trophy, Alan Bateson, Director for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland said: “This is a truly historic moment, heralding a new era of sustainability for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The phrase game-changer is bandied around liberally in the motor trade but the ID. Buzz is a truly a unique proposition. Everyone in the Volkswagen Commercial team feels privileged to have played their part in the delivery of these iconic vehicles and we cannot wait to see the reaction from members of the public now they are finally on Irish roads.”

The ID Buzz was chosen by a secret vote by members of MMAI on the day from 10 category winners which were previously announced.

The Irish Car of the year category winners:

1.     Irish Small Car of the Year: Fiat 500e

2.     Irish Compact Car of the Year: Opel Astra

3.     Irish Compact Executive Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

4.     Irish Compact Crossover / SUV of the Year: Kia Niro

5.     Irish Medium Crossover / SUV of the Year: Kia Sportage

6.     Irish Large Crossover / SUV of the Year: Citroen C5X

7.     Irish MPV of the Year: Volkswagen ID. Buzz

8.     Irish Luxury Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz EQS

9.     Irish Large Executive Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz EQE

10.   Irish Performance Car of the Year: BMW i4 M50