Volkswagen ID. Buzz review: the electric seven-seater that brings back the Microbus magic
The funky VW ID. Buzz
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VOLKSWAGEN ID. BUZZ LWB |
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★★★★☆ |
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€75,350 |
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an EV with 282 bhp |
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claimed range is 470km, though in reality 390km |
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for a workhorse it is unusually well equipped |
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the right colour scheme is essential |
One of the secrets to making a great car – apart from the mechanicals, electrics, looks and all the other stuff – is giving it a feel-good factor that makes it immeasurably desirable to the buying public.
All too few manufacturers ever create such a thing – something with that indefinable X-factor which attracts punters to their product like moths to a bright light.
Most will only ever make workaday machines that are perfectly adequate at their day-to-day jobs and practical to a fault but lack any real magnetism. Volkswagen isn’t one of them.
Sure, it has made its share of dull products down the years, but it also has a legacy of creating cars that, across generations, have given people a motoring raison d’être and something they feel proud and protective of.
Such cars eventually become legends – icons of automotive design ingenuity – and their legacy can be felt many years after they’ve gone out of production. VW’s original Beetle was such a car, and the company’s Microvan another.
Modern versions of both have come and gone, and while owners will smile fondly when they see one, it’s a knowing smile – one that admits their original favourite will never be surpassed in people’s affections.
There have been two attempts at recreating the Beetle and while both were cute and charming, neither matched the longevity or popularity of the original.
The company also tried to recreate the enduring appeal of the Microbus with vans that were practical but lacked that je ne sais quoi which made the original a legend.
Then came the ID. Buzz – a van that immediately struck a chord with people across social and generational boundaries. It wasn’t cheap, but it gained near-legendary status the moment the first design studies were published, convincing VW that it simply had to go into production.
We’ve tested a few versions and loved them, but were puzzled by VW’s marketing strategy. Firstly, it was only sold as a commercial vehicle through their Commercial Division, which seemed odd given its potential.
Secondly, it was offered only as a five-seater, when it was obvious to most that its true metier was as a seven-seater.
Well, VW has finally gotten around to making a long-wheelbase (LWB) version of the ID. Buzz, and that’s what we’re testing this week.
Now, a minor gripe. One of the most distinctive elements of the old Microvan was its two-tone colour schemes, which set it apart from the competition.
So too with the ID. Buzz, which gained character lacking in most of today’s bland van segment. The tester, however, came in Deep Black Pearlescent – all over. To me, that robbed it of much of its charm and made it look, well, like a van.
I know customers can choose whatever colour combination they like, but the single paint scheme on the tester felt monochrome (pun intended) and stripped away an essential part of its character.
This might seem like a petty complaint, but the ID. Buzz was created and marketed as a practical yet different choice in its segment. Losing a core part of its standout DNA seemed careless and lacking in judgement.
Sure, it’s a small complaint in the grand scheme of things, especially for a car that’s genuinely good at its job – even if it is an EV – but the colour choice on the tester eliminated a key part of its appeal.
Rant over.
The seven-seater, while not cheap at just over €75,000, is an immensely capable machine. It will suit family driveways, taxi fleets, or hotel and tourism businesses ferrying clients to airports, railway stations and sightseeing tours.
It’s roomy, well-appointed and, inside, every bit as congenial as its designers intended.
On the technical front, the LWB version comes with a larger 86kWh battery, compared with 79kWh in the standard model. However, any range gain is largely offset by the extra weight of the added seats and extended bodywork.
The claimed range is just under 470km, though in reality 390km is more accurate. Still, that’s respectable and makes it highly usable for a variety of roles.
Power comes from an electric motor on the rear axle producing 282bhp, which delivers a decent burst of pace. The 0–100km/h sprint takes 7.9 seconds, impressive for a vehicle weighing 2.7 tonnes, though top speed is limited to 159km/h.
Driving it is surprisingly enjoyable for something so large. At five metres long and nearly two metres wide, the LWB Buzz isn’t small, but it’s remarkably easy to drive and handles B-roads confidently. Roadholding is strong and overall handling excellent, though the ride can feel a bit bouncy on poor surfaces, and there’s more body lean than in the shorter version.
It boasts a tight turning circle for its size, but multi-storey car parks remain a challenge, and tight spaces even more so.
The driving position is excellent, giving you a commanding view over most SUVs – a pleasant role reversal. The vast windscreen provides a panoramic outlook.
Interior space is generous, with ample room for the driver and six passengers. Access to the rear seats is easy thanks to large electric sliding doors.
The height-adjustable boot floor is a bit of a mystery, though – if you want a floor level with the sill, you need to unscrew the false floor, which feels clunky.
The newly improved 12.9-inch touchscreen is a big step forward, now featuring shortcut buttons for key functions. Overall, the interior finish is excellent, and equipment levels are more than generous.
It’s telling that the only real quibble is the paint job – and that says everything you need to know about the LWB ID. Buzz. If you’re in the market for a seven-seat MPV, this is the one to look at – just make sure you pick the right colour scheme.
