Volkswagen ID. Buzz
FIRST UK DRIVE Style and substance combine to great effect
WE’VE been waiting a long time for a modern interpretation of the Volkswagen Microbus, but it’s finally here in the shape of the ID. Buzz. It certainly looks the part, with its bluff front end and optional two-tone paint. But as well as turning heads, there are plenty of features on board that will draw the attention of premium family car buyers.
The ID. Buzz is smaller than the combustion-engined VW Multivan that launched last year, but the wheelbase is similar, which benefits interior space. The ID. Buzz is a five-seater – a longer sevenseat version is due later in 2023 – but access is great, thanks to the sliding doors, while the back seats move back and forth and fold flat into the floor, too.
From behind the wheel, the ID. Buzz feels like a high-quality product, which is something that can’t be said of some recent VWs. There’s lots of kit on the top-spec Style models, although some of it – such as the climate controls – is just as fiddly as it is in other VWs. The car’s light-coloured trim will probably show marks quickly, but the matt finish means it should stand up to some punishment better than the gloss trim found in many new cars. A tall driving position – much higher than you’ll find in most family SUVs – gives a great view out, too.
The ID. Buzz is well controlled over bumps and potholes, while our car’s optional 21-inch wheels didn’t have an adverse effect on the car’s ride. The electric motor packs 201bhp, and there’s a surge of acceleration at lower speeds that is surprising in a car of this size and shape.
The ID. Buzz isn’t quite as impressive under braking, with the pedal needing a firm push to bring this 2.5-tonne vehicle to a halt. It’s also not the most agile car either, but at least the weight is set low in the chassis, so it’s stable in corners. It’s not entertaining, but that’s not what the ID. Buzz is about.
Where the ID. Buzz performs well is in terms of charging and range. With the same 77kWh battery as offered in the ID.4 SUV, there’s a range of up to 255 miles on offer. On a typical autumn day, we saw a range of around 230 miles from a full charge, although turning on the climate control saw 20-30 miles immediately trimmed from this.
“Acceleration at lower speeds is surprising in a car of this size and shape”