Volkswagen ID. Buzz - Electric motor, drive and performance

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz range has expanded beyond the launch line-up, with the Life and Style trims now joined by a sportier GTX variant, which arrived at the same time as the LWB model. All three trim levels are available in standard and long-wheelbase guises. Whichever you choose, power is the same, with a single 282bhp rear-mounted electric motor for the Life and Style models, while the GTX adds a second electric motor for a total of 335bhp and four-wheel drive.

A 79kWh battery is fitted to the standard ID. Buzz, which is located low in the chassis between the axles. Thanks to an extra 250mm of distance between the front and rear wheels, there’s space for a larger battery in the LWB model. Capacity is increased to 86kWh, and according to the official figures, the larger version can go slightly further on a charge.

What is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz like to drive?

It’s a big car, but the electric powertrain means the ID. Buzz feels sprightly. The chassis is set up for comfort ahead of sporty driving. At launch, there was a 201bhp electric motor driving the rear wheels and a 77kWh battery, but now, if you order the standard-wheelbase model, you get an enlarged 79kWh battery in SWB form, and a 282bhp electric motor.

In town

At nearly two metres wide, the ID. Buzz isn’t the easiest car to position on narrow urban streets, and width restrictions could be a challenge. But there are parking sensors all round, including side monitors that can detect obstacles such as bollards next to the car that might be beyond the view of the door mirrors – unlike some van-based MPVs, the ID. Buzz doesn’t have wide-angle lower mirrors for extra visibility.

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The high-set driving position and huge glass area allow a clear view of your surroundings, although the stubby bonnet means it’s best to assume that the front of the car is where the windscreen ends. Light steering and a decent turning circle for such a large car improve manoeuvrability. There’s strong response from the powertrain, even from a standstill, so keeping pace with traffic is a breeze.

On A- and B-roads

Getting up to higher speeds is also straightforward, thanks to the 560Nm of torque that’s on offer as soon as you hit the accelerator. The chassis is designed for comfort and to manage the car’s hefty kerbweight, though, so while acceleration is sporty, that’s where the racy edge ends; there’s plenty of body lean in corners, which is amplified by the high seating position. The suspension strikes a good balance between comfort and control, though, and grip is good.

Bumps are soaked up easily, but bigger potholes can cause the whole body to shudder, while fitting larger alloy wheels doesn’t have much of an impact on ride quality. 

On the motorway

That smooth nose helps the ID. Buzz cut through the air, but while wind noise isn’t an issue overall, the lack of an engine note means it’s more noticeable at motorway speeds, as is tyre roar. The ride is at its best at higher speeds, which further enhances the ID. Buzz’s refinement. Strong crosswinds will tug at the car’s slab sides, but the VW still feels stable and reassuring.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

There’s a 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds for the standard ID. Buzz, while the four-wheel-drive GTX manages the sprint in 6.1 seconds. The larger and heavier LWB model is slightly slower, adding 0.3 seconds to the times for each version (7.9 seconds and 6.4 seconds respectively). All versions of the ID. Buzz have a top speed limited to 99mph to help save battery range.