VW ID.Buzz: we spend a month with VW’s retro bus. Do we still love it as much? / Electrifying

#vwidbuzz #idbuzz #vwidbuzzcamper

After years of waiting, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is lastly here. It is available in 2 versions initially: a five-seat family van and an ID. Buzz Cargo, with up to three seats across the front and large load area at the back. Down the line we'll get a longer wheelbase version with more seating and if you're extremely patient it will become joined by a California Camper – the one we all want!

We have actually currently examined the Cargo and we have actually pitted this car versus the Design Y – yes really, examine that video out when you've viewed this (links below).

ID Buzz Cargo video:
ID Buzz vs Tesla Design Y video:

In this video, we take a deep dive into the ID. Buzz. We are among the only channels to have had a Buzz on loan for almost a month and it's safe to say that we've learned a lot more during that period … Excellent and not so excellent.

Sign up with Nicki as she finds what the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is like to deal with over a prolonged time period. What is it like in chillier weather? What can sort of variety can you anticipate? How much attention does it bring in?

As always, we 'd enjoy to hear what you believe, so please leave a remark below. Is the ID. Buzz on your shortlist or would you select something else. If so, let us understand what!

VW ID Buzz Design SWB 77kWh Pro
₤ 61,995 (₤ 69,265 as tested).
201bhp, 229 pound ft of torque.
Rear-wheel drive, 1-spd.
10.2 seconds 0-62mph, 90mph top speed.
77.0 kWh battery (useable), 255 miles range WLTP.
170kw DC, 11kw a/c, 30 minutes quick DC (10-80%), 68min 50kW.
12hr 15 minutes on house wallbox empty to complete.
Weight: 2,502 kg.
Boot: 1,121-litres (2,123).
Frunk: no frunk.
10-80% in 30 minutes for 140 miles.
Tow: 750/1,000 kg.
376Wh/mile.
2.93 m/kWh.

Choices consist of: info plan ₤ 1,560, Wheels, ₤ 515, Convenience seats ₤ 2,305, towball ₤ 905, mode 2 charging cable television ₤ 190, bi-colour paint ₤ 1,800.

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Posted

August 18, 2024

Electric Vehicles

EVCarNew

Comments

29 responses to “VW ID.Buzz: we spend a month with VW’s retro bus. Do we still love it as much? / Electrifying”

Bradley Sturley

January 26, 2023

Sorry but I do not agree with your comments on the entertainment system/Apple car play and the driving stalls/controls. I have just spent a week in the buzz van version (exactly the same controls) and the Apple car play worked perfect as it’s all I use and after a couple of hours I was fully used to and comfortable with both of the stalls and controls. Maybe it was just the model you had??? I personally think that it was very good and the driving experience was incredible. 👌

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Into the Multiverse

January 26, 2023

Looks great. Another 50 miles of real world range and I’d be all over it, oh and some more 150+ charging stations

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1. Be Low Below
  
  January 26, 2023
  
  If you want range you need a more efficient van.
  
  It could’ve been, but this is on the MEB platform which is designed best for Crossover overs and SUVs, but as an electric skateboard.
  
  Efficiency wasn’t VW’s priority, safe to say.
  If it were the caddy platform it would be cheaper, lighter, more efficient and offer longer range. It already comes with 7 seats…
  
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Michael G

January 26, 2023

It looks brilliant and incredibly practical for families, dogs and things to move. I want one but VW are simply pricing it out of the market.

As for the comments about taking people out of SUVs…I don’t really understand them as this is a similar size if not bigger.

I still want one and will keep an eye on them over the next few years.

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1. kenny wright
  
  January 27, 2023
  
  No rear opening windows No good for kids or dogs when it’s hot
  
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2. Michael G
  
  January 27, 2023
  
  @kenny wright aircon plus dog mode.
  
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3. kenny wright
  
  January 27, 2023
  
  @Michael G there’s no vents in the back and to get the rear cool Aircon would need to bee working very hard your range will be disappearing before your eyes
  
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Stuart Scott

January 26, 2023

Would love to know how the Head2Head video comparison with the Model Y now stacks up given the Y’s massive price reduction !

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1. Flyingtwiglet
  
  January 27, 2023
  
  I have a Buzz on order and the MY price reduction has made me rethink that choice. If we could get the comfort suspension that seems to have rolled out elsewhere, I’d change my order to the Y.
  
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2. TJ Murphy
  
  January 27, 2023
  
  Model y was vastly more efficient
  
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3. Spencer Woodford
  
  January 27, 2023
  
  I took delivery of a Model Y in December ‘22 (before the price cut), but the comments below remain the same:
  1) the suspension is terrible – crashy, noisy, loud. If this is the new ‘comfort’ suspension you refer to, I really do feel for owners of earlier Model Ys
  2) it doesn’t have parking sensors, which is utterly ridiculous. Yes, Tesla Vision *might* save the day, but it’s nowhere in sight yet (pun intended)
  Sadly, we appear to have taken a huge step backwards with the introduction of EVs whereby legacy automakers can’t get to grips with the new tech (efficiency, software, etc) and the new boys (e.g. Tesla) seem to get so wrapped up in the tech that the basics are poor. It really does feel that, at the moment, we need to spend a fortune and choose the ‘least worst option’ for our particular needs 😕
  
  Reply
andrew sutton

January 26, 2023

They have built something ideal for long trips away, then not given it the range… 150 – 170 miles won’t even get me and the kids to the seaside and back…

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1. Oliver Stemp
  
  January 26, 2023
  
  It’s for yummy mummy’s to drop the kids off at their private schools and show up everyone else in their very cheap Model 3. It’s perfect for that
  
  Reply
Colin Renfrew

January 26, 2023

At the price being charged, it needs to be more than good.

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Glad Eous

January 26, 2023

battery/efficiency is definitely a deal breaker.

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sevensixtysteve

January 26, 2023

To my eyes the best looking ID by some margin. The more angular styling gets rid of the blobby, frumpy styling of the other ID models. Also…interesting marketing strategy by VW – just when people have wrapped their minds around exactly how much this thing is going to cost them, squeeze just a little (well actually quite a lot more) out of them for comfort seats. Surely comfort should be a given at this price point ? Options priced to deprive your offspring of their inheritance aside, the sub 200 mile is a deal breaker for me. The irritation of being out-ranged (and out-charged) by much cheaper EVs would only be slightly reduced by the realisation I would never be able to drive it far enough or for long enough to wish I had paid for the comfort seats. It probably needs a 100KW battery to make it more useful but that’s going to cost and weigh even more. The Buzz (really annoying name) is a cool design but it doesn’t add up to a useful vehicle for me, and underneath that beguiling exterior, its actually quite a technically sub-par EV. Ioniq 5 is a much more successful combination of retro looks, decent range and functional tech. I’ve heard the Ioniq’s standard seats are pretty comfy too 🙂

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1. Oliver Stemp
  
  January 26, 2023
  
  The £2000 covers the sustainable alcantara finish and the massage seats and electric adjustment. Although the standard seats in their coloured cloth are probably easier to keep clean than the pale material here. The massage feature is not really needed.
  
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Danielle Toyer

January 26, 2023

Yup. They are deal-breakers. Was so excited about this. Won’t be trading the MX in until they sort out the IT and the range. What a shame! @vw.

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Samuel Grainger

January 27, 2023

This won’t be getting family’s out of there SUV’s or people carriers, the price and poor range is awful. Will wait till they put proper batteries in that can cover 400+ miles, then it will be worthy of the price tag and be a usable alternative. Great review, just a shame about the real world results.

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Hygienist Dentist

January 27, 2023

Can’t wait for the longer version to come to America. Hope they can add more practical quirks that we love in minivans like powered doors, comfortable seats, sunroof, many vents for the back passengers, removable seats 🤤 hell I’d buy one!

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Roger Atkins aka Electric Vehicles Outlook

January 27, 2023

Spot on Nikki…and I’ve just bought one! Took delivery late last year and I’m now out and about in it, in fact, it’s the Electric Vehicles Outlook Ltd mobile office! Went for a First Edition with a couple of options.

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Mika Davies

January 27, 2023

On a positive… Yes its great looking, practical and looks wonderfully VW. Especially in two tone paint…. Even if everything is an “option” on the VW Web site.

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BH London

January 27, 2023

Never in my life have I had any interest in MPV’s/vans but this car is just SO cool

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Marc Lawyer

January 27, 2023

VW are going to struggle if this is the best they can do…I owned a 1978 old shape transporter with a 2.0L injected motor and it was great: simple, durable and iconically stylish.
The range of sub 200 miles and less than 3 miles per kWh means it’s a middle class toy, not a means of transport. Our Zoe does 5 miles per kWh in summer and 4 in winter (245+ and 195) so it can be used on longer trips, even with a 50kwh charging rate, as the small battery (52kwh) doesn’t take long to charge by 50%. Also, the Zoe was only £26k with the winter pack (TWO heated seats and steering wheel) and metallic paint. The Zoe also has a terrible infotainment system, but luckily has buttons for main functions.
There are ZERO electric vehicles atm, that can be used as a primary, everyday vehicle due to the lack of destination chargers and very high prices for electricity (and vehicles).
Once the middle class and company fleets have bought their fill, sales WILL drop as ordinary people can’t afford them (insurance is ALSO too expensive).

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1. wondrboy89
  
  January 27, 2023
  
  Spot on!
  
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Harry Bartlett

January 27, 2023

Love the look and practicality, shame about the price and poor efficiency.

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Ade Norman

January 27, 2023

It’s beautiful, but that doesn’t make up for the poor efficiency and range imo. That and the awful ‘everything stalk’ (like Merc’s I guess) would definitely be deal-breakers for me, even if I could afford it. A good, honest review 👍

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GAP999

January 27, 2023

It’s fantastic looking and I do like MPVs over SUVs. Shame it doesn’t have the load practicality of the Multivan and to get one worth having it’s £70k. Then there’s having to rely on the hopeless public charging network in the UK if you use it in longer trips.

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C Wheremonster

January 27, 2023

I’m curious if the longer U.S. version will have a larger battery range. Otherwise, I just don’t see this selling in the states. I guess we will find out soon enough.

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