Volkswagen ID Buzz 2022: will VW make the family van popular again? – Test & Video
Thank you for your interest in this Volkswagen ID Buzz test. Volkswagen continues to expand its range of electric cars. All this under the rubric of ID. After the ID3, ID4 and ID5, what follows is Volkswagen’s most retro electric car yet: the ID Buzz. When it was presented as a concept, everyone knew right away: there had to be a production version. Because man what fun was that concept version.
Design softening necessary
Often a manufacturer greatly weakens the production version because of complexity in the production process. Wheels that are too big can’t be. And often futuristic side cameras are just too complex or expensive anyway. Still, the production version of the ID Buzz is minimally “de-cluttered. The strong features of the study model have remained. It’s an endearing-looking family MPV that loosens tongues in flashy color. Those who see it cannot but appreciate dam it.
The famous ‘string’
Of course, in the design you can still see that well-known T1 of yesteryear. Just look at the “thong” shape on the front. And the hefty VW logo in the center of the nose. It is overwhelmingly a modern T1, but only if the buyer selects a two-tone color scheme. In a single color scheme, very little of the historic edge remains.
Volkswagen ID Buzz with 204 hp
Volkswagen kicks off with an engine variant: one with 204 hp and 310 Nm of torque, good for a 0-100 time of 10.2 seconds and a top speed of 145 km/h. Perhaps more engine variants will follow in the near future. An ID Buzz GTX also looks like fun to us, then you have a van with 299 hp. Could use that one, by the way, given his weight. We’ll come back to that in a moment.
Battery of 77 kWh
Also count on additional battery variants. Now Volkswagen only supplies an 82 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, of which 77 kWh is usable. It provides a range of 400 to about 425 kilometers according to the WLTP test standard. You appear to be able to achieve this quite well in practice. In fact, the on-board computer sometimes shows values of almost 440 kilometers. Of course, everything is highly dependent on the chosen driving pace. Anything above 100 km/h has a significant impact on range.
ID Buzz Charging
Charging the Volkswagen ID Buzz is a piece of cake. The charging time with 11 kW of charging power takes about 7 hours and 30 minutes from 0 to 100 percent. So this is at a public charging station or at home at your own charging station. Fast charging is of course also possible, up to a charging power of 170 kW. In the latter case, the battery is recharged from 5 to 80 percent in 30 minutes.
No lightweight
At 2,470 kilograms, the Volkswagen ID Buzz is by no means a lightweight, but Volkswagen manages to mask that weight well thanks to fine tuning of the suspension, hefty tires (265 rear!) and substantial suspension travel. The ID Buzz is also extremely spacious. This is mainly due to the wheelbase of almost three meters. As a result, there is space in abundance.
Nice and quiet on board
What is particularly striking is that the Volkswagen ID Buzz is very quiet. Volkswagen did not skimp on soundproofing. Everything also remains pleasantly quiet from the wheel arches. You’ll unwind in the ID Buzz, that’s immediately apparent. It is super comfortable, has nice damping and fine steering. Street jaywalking is not a problem, by the way, because at 11 meters, the turning radius is equal to that of a Volkswagen Golf. Fewer components up front allow for greater wheel travel. Especially handy in cities, which means that with a vehicle length of 4.7 meters you are still particularly flexible.
Rear-wheel drive
Historically sound, the Volkswagen ID Buzz is not only cosmetically sound, but also in terms of powertrain placement. The Volkswagen T1 had a rear engine with rear-wheel drive. In the ID Buzz, the electric motor is also in the rear. Also, the MPV has rear-wheel drive. Perhaps more variants will follow, AWD is also among the possibilities. At the time of writing, Volkswagen is looking at which variants will all follow.
5 quick notes Volkswagen ID Buzz test
OK, and then it’s time for five quick notes on the Volkswagen ID Buzz. Things we noticed.
- One pedal driving is possible, only the braking could be more intense. It is also the case that you still have to apply your own brakes to come to a complete stop. The ID Buzz brakes to about 5 km/h.
- You really have a bus feel. This is due to the high seating position. Each front seat also has an armrest on each side, very nice! However, the steering column could be brought a little further towards you for an even better sitting position.
- The center console with integrated cup holders is removable, but again is not sliding. Perhaps a missed opportunity.
- The Volkswagen ID Buzz has a very nice light strip on the dashboard that shows through signals which way to go, nice find without being a distraction while driving.
- With the infotainment system, sometimes it takes a while to find the desired function. Some of the menus are a little congested. This is not very convenient, especially while driving. There is a voice assistant, but it is not yet smart enough.
More features
What we should mention above all is that Volkswagen could perhaps have added even more features to the interior. The platform also allows for this well. Swivel chairs, for example, a small refrigerator, central work tables, extra storage space, induction chargers to charge smartphones wirelessly. And so we can think of more. Let’s leave it at room for improvement/further refinement, because in the basics the interior is as very finished. Volkswagen uses beautiful, colorful materials, often constructed from recycled plastic.
Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo, the commercial vehicle version
That’s a different story, by the way, with the commercial vehicle version(ID Buzz Cargo). In that variant, the interior turns completely black and cheaper materials are used. The ID Buzz Cargo starts at 46,300 euros, excluding VAT, BPM and delivery costs. The Cargo variant has 3.9 cubic meters of cargo space, room for two side-mounted euro pallets, a maximum load length of 2.2 meters and a load capacity of 650 kilograms. The ID Buzz Cargo also has a fixed dividing wall that can be fitted with a window and loading opening. Both the gray and yellow license plate variants are allowed to tow 1,000 kilograms with brakes (204 hp). By the ID. Buzz Cargo, maintenance is included as standard for the first 7 years.
Conclusion test Volkswagen ID Buzz
So how should we summarize this Volkswagen ID Buzz test? In any case, as a shot in the arm. In terms of styling, it is perfect. This is evidenced by the many comments we receive from bystanders. Almost everyone raises their thumbs or smiles when they see the ID Buzz driving. The ID Buzz is a classic of the future. Already, already during its market launch. That is an achievement in itself.
Apparently everyone still has that legendary T1 in their minds, so the ID Buzz can also hitch a ride on the success of Volkswagen’s first van, invented by Dutchman Ben Pon of all places. So his idea lives on in the ID Buzz and that alone is a reason to buy the ID Buzz. If you have the coins, then definitely do it. By the way, it’s not cheap. Driving with yellow license plates is possible from 69,990 euros. With some options, you’ll quickly head toward 75 grand. One thing is for sure: you are doing yourself a favor and brightening up the streetscape at the same time. But then take a flashy twotone color scheme. The ID Buzz just needs that.