Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen ID. Buzz review

The ID. Buzz is one of the funkiest family EVs on the market, but this distinctiveness comes at quite a cost

Overall rating

4.5 out of 5

Pros

  • Funky styling
  • Thoughtful features
  • Lots of space

Cons

  • Far from cheap to buy
  • Frustrating infotainment system
  • Seven seats cost extra
RangeWallbox charge timeRapid charge time
283-291 miles12hrs (0-100%, 7.4kW)30mins (10-80%, 200kW)

Volkswagen ID. Buzz verdict

Few cars are as worthy of the hype surrounding them as the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. It’s not quite as practical or versatile as some other van-based people-carriers, but it can go further on a charge and top-up faster than pretty much many of them. Plus, no electric SUV out there can match the space or family-friendly features of the supremely funky VW. Its styling might be what draws customers in, but beneath the Microbus-inspired looks this is a very capable, if slightly pricey, EV. 

Details, specs and alternatives

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings the retro flower power charms of the classic VW Type 2 Microbus into the 21st century. Just like the original, the ID. Buzz stands out by a country mile thanks to its large size, unique design and some very bright paint colours, but take a look underneath and it’s a thoroughly modern and fully-electric affair. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Following a refresh of the line-up in mid-2024, every variant of the VW ID. Buzz is powered by a single rear-mounted 286bhp motor, and this is paired with a 79kWh battery pack which this MPV shares with the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5. Prior to this, the ID. Buzz featured a smaller 77kWh battery and 201bhp motor.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

It wasn’t only a new battery and motor that were added as part of the 2024 refresh, as the long-awaited ID. Buzz LWB also made its appearance. This long wheelbase variant introduced the option of seven seats to the line-up for the first time, which makes a lot of sense considering the ID. Buzz’s family car credentials. The LWB version is powered by a bigger 88kWh battery, too, which allows it to cover up to 283 miles per charge on the WLTP combined cycle.

For those who like to complete the school run in a hurry, the hotter Volkswagen ID. Buzz GTX adds four-wheel drive to the mix as well as two beefier motors that deliver a combined 335bhp. This version is set to arrive in the UK in 2024, and it can be specced in either regular or LWB form. Power is provided by the same batteries as in the standard versions.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Electric car buyers with large families have a fairly large number of similarly-sized people carrier rivals to choose from. There are nine-seat models such as the Citroen e-SpaceTourer, Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric, Peugeot e-Traveller and Ford E-Tourneo Custom, as well as smaller seven-seaters including the Peugeot e-Rifter, Citroen e-Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Life Electric.

Unlike its rivals, though, the ID. Buzz isn’t based on a commercial vehicle as such. There is a panel van version, called the ID. Buzz Cargo, but that was created with an electric passenger car in mind from the outset. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Because of this, the VW ID. Buzz is a more premium-feeling product than its van-derived competition, so we expect many people will be considering the ID. Buzz in addition to some of the larger electric family cars out there, such as the Tesla Model YSkoda EnyaqNissan Ariya and BMW iX3

Advertisement - Article continues below

The starting price of the ID. Buzz is higher than almost all its competition, though with entry-level Life models starting from over £59,000. If you want the larger LWB model, this adds the additional space and seats for a somewhat reasonable additional cost of £500.

Whichever version you pick, though, there’s no denying that the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is pricey for a family-focused people carrier. At least you get a heated steering wheel, reversing camera, keyless start, adaptive cruise control and 19-inch alloy wheels, plus 40:60 split-folding rear bench, sliding rear doors and a 5.3-inch digital driver’s display. There’s a 10-inch touchscreen, too, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. 

Meanwhile, the range-topping ID. Buzz Style is priced at around £64,000. For this additional money you’ll get 20-inch alloys, ambient lighting, stainless steel 'Play' and 'Pause' pedals, a powered tailgate, matrix LED headlights and two-tone cloth upholstery.

The spicier ID. Buzz GTX will sit at the top of the line-up when it makes its UK debut. As well as boosted performance, this comes with unique exterior enhancements and the choice of 20- or 21-inch alloy wheels. As the range-topper, this ID. Buzz also carries the biggest starting price. 

Buyers also get a choice of two-tone paint schemes which incorporate a white U-shaped bonnet and roof; another nod to the iconic Type 2 Microbus from the 50s and 60s. These designs certainly look the part, but they’ll also set you back by almost £3,000.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Hello, I’m Shane and I’m the senior content editor both here at DrivingElectric and at our sister title Auto Express. Although I can trace my professional roots back to the radio and podcasting world, my passion (or borderline obsession) with cars saw me switch over to motoring journalism in 2021. From the very start I have been fortunate enough to try out the latest and greatest electric cars on the market, and I’m proud to help people like you make the right EV buying decisions.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

MINI Aceman review
MINI Aceman - front tracking
In-depth reviews

MINI Aceman review

MINI’s all-electric small SUV is just as fun as the brand’s staple hatch, with an added layer of practicality
10 Dec 2024
New DS No8 promises a big 465-mile range and super-fast charging
DS No8 - front static
News

New DS No8 promises a big 465-mile range and super-fast charging

DS is targeting premium car buyers with its ‘serene’ No8, a car that signals a rebirth for the brand
12 Dec 2024
Top 10 best hybrid estate cars 2025
Best hybrid estate cars
Best cars

Top 10 best hybrid estate cars 2025

The best hybrid estate cars you can buy right now save you money on fuel and still have lots of space inside. Here are our top picks
4 Dec 2024

More on ID.Buzz

Top 10 best electric family cars 2024
Best electric family cars
Best cars

Top 10 best electric family cars 2024

From hatchbacks to SUVs, here are our top picks for the best family EVs on the market right now
17 Oct 2024
Top 10 best electric cars for dog owners 2024
electric cars for dog owners header
Best cars

Top 10 best electric cars for dog owners 2024

Tired of working like a dog to find the ideal EV for you and your furry friend? We list the best models
15 Oct 2024
Best seven-seater electric and hybrid cars 2024
Best seven-seater electric and hybrid cars
Best cars

Best seven-seater electric and hybrid cars 2024

If the regular electrified SUVs don’t provide enough practicality for you, then take a look at the best electric and hybrid seven-seaters on the marke…
11 Oct 2024
Top 10 best electric company cars 2024
Best company cars - header
Best cars

Top 10 best electric company cars 2024

Choosing an electric car is a great way for company car drivers to save cash – we uncover 10 of the best
24 Sep 2024
Slowest-depreciating electric and hybrid cars 2024
Slowest-depreciating electric and hybrid cars
Best cars

Slowest-depreciating electric and hybrid cars 2024

Want a new car that depreciates less? These are the electric and hybrid models that retain their value the best
26 Jun 2024
The new Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX infuses the retro MPV with a performance edge
ID.Buzz GTX Picture 1
News

The new Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX infuses the retro MPV with a performance edge

Volkswagen’s pinnacle model in the ID.Buzz range adds performance spice and all-wheel drive to the brand’s electric MPV
21 Mar 2024
Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB is a retro, seven-seat electric MPV
Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB - front door open
News

Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB is a retro, seven-seat electric MPV

Volkswagen has unveiled a larger version of its ID. Buzz EV, boasting more seats and a larger battery with more range
2 Jun 2023
Top 10 best electric vans 2023
Best electric vans 2023
Best cars

Top 10 best electric vans 2023

Electric vans make perfect sense for businesses of all types, and the competition is hotting up fast. Here are our picks for the best zero-emissions w…
10 Jan 2023
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo review
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo review

Much more than simply style over substance, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo is a cool-looking van that would be an asset to any forward-thinking busines…
6 Dec 2022