Volkswagen ID. Buzz review

Quick verdict: 

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz isn’t simply an all-electric MPV, but is a much anticipated spiritual successor to the original Type 2 microbus. It’s a genuinely practical, comfortable, and characterful family car that will have potential SUV buyers thinking twice – if they can get past the price tag, that is.

All things considered, the ID. Buzz is a key part of VW's path to electrification, putting the firm's latest EV technology in a more user-friendly package with far greater desirability than any other member of the ID electric car family.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz: price, specs and rivals

A modern, all-electric interpretation of Volkswagen’s iconic Type 2 microbus from the 1950s and ‘60s has been a long time coming. The VW brand teased the VW Bulli and VW Budd-e electric MPV studies to test the waters, before unveiling the ID Buzz concept in 2017. Despite the overwhelmingly positive response from the public, it took another five years and the introduction of several other VW EVs for the production version you see here to land in showrooms.

Underneath, the ID. Buzz uses the Volkswagen Group’s familiar MEB electric-car platform, which also serves as the underpinnings for its VW ID.3 hatchback, VW ID.4 SUV, and VW ID.5 coupe-SUV, plus the Cupra Born, Skoda Enyaq iV, and Audi Q4 e-tron. There is also a panel van version of the ID. Buzz called the VW ID. Buzz Cargo – which we’ve reviewed separately.

Compared to its sister cars and the many other blob-like EVs being introduced, the ID. Buzz stands out thanks to its retro-inspired looks inside and out. The one-box body maximises space within the car's footprint, while the long wheelbase means space for the largest battery packs currently offered with any MEB-based machine. Utilising bigger battery packs allows the ID. Buzz has a WLTP-tested range of up to 291 miles, while the charging technology on board allows it to reach a peak charging speed of 200kW, so a 10 to 80 per cent top-up can take as little as half an hour.

You can order your ID. Buzz in either short wheelbase (4,712mm in length) or, as of summer 2024, long wheelbase (4,962mm), both of which feature twin sliding side doors to access the back seats and a top-hinged tailgate. The short wheelbase (SWB) ID. Buzz can be bought with five or six seats, while the longer model is available with up to seven seats. The five-seat cabin features a conventional seat layout with two captain’s chairs up front and a three-seat bench across the rear, while the six-seater has three rows of two chairs. The seven-seat version is configured much like the five-seater ‘Buzz, just with two extra seats in the back.

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The model line-up started off simple enough, with every version using a 201bhp electric motor driving the rear wheels, and a 77kWh battery pack. Revisions to improve its performance and efficiency have led to a slightly larger 79kWh (useable) battery pack being introduced on SWB, while LWB versions get an 86kWh (again, useable) battery. All rear-wheel drive models now have a more powerful 282bhp electric motor, while the four-wheel drive GTX uses two electric motors, providing a combined output of 335bhp.

There are three trim levels to choose from: Life, Style, and GTX. All offer plenty of equipment, though VW does offer a variety of options for owners to personalise their cars further. Of course, these aren’t cheap, with the two-tone paint scheme costing more than £2,500. Both Life and Style trims come with rear-wheel drive, while four-wheel drive is reserved for the sportier VW ID. Buzz GTX.

With prices starting north of £59,000, the VW ID. Buzz is an expensive option when compared with other electric MPV rivals. We say rivals, but it’s essentially just one alternative that's offered under a variety of different badges: the Citroen e-SpaceTourer, Peugeot e-Traveller and Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric. All cost significantly less, but none of them are as refined, as quick, or have the style and electric range of the ID. Buzz.

Look at the ID. Buzz as a desirable posh family car, and its price puts it up against some of the best electric SUVs on the market, including the BMW iX3, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y, not to mention its mechanically identical sister cars from Skoda, Audi and VW. However, the ID. Buzz is more practical than any of these, thanks to its fold-flat back seats and vast cargo area, while the LWB adds the much anticipated seven-seat option for an incredibly reasonable £500 over the SWB version. Plus, none of the alternatives to the ID. Buzz have the ability to turn quite as many heads, which, for some, will make the expense of the ‘Buzz worthwhile.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz Style long-term review

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Auto Express Editor Paul Barker is in charge of our funky long-term Volkswagen ID. Buzz. He’s been enjoying its company on bank holiday journeys, taking shelter under the enormous tailgate during a sudden downpour, and revelling in the vast boot that can hold all manner of football kit, scooters, and bodyboards that the family uses on trips away.

While it has been garnering a lot of attention, family and friends have remarked as to why such a large car only has five seats, to which Paul has had to explain that a seven-seater is on the way. You can read the full long term test here...