Volkswagen ID Buzz review

The Volkswagen ID Buzz recalls the loveable looks of VW's Type 2 campervans from the 50s and 60s – even reviving the distinctive two-tone paint job.

But rather than put-putting around driven by a petrol or diesel engine, it runs on a near-silent battery power.

Just to be clear, you can't buy an ID Buzz campervan just yet (although there is a California version in the pipeline). Right now you can choose between a standard-wheelbase (SWB) model with five or six seats, or a long-wheelbase (LWB) version with six or seven seats.

VW ID Buzz video review

Despite the ID Buzz's van-like shape, it isn't a repackaged commercial vehicle. It actually sits on the same underpinnings as the VW ID 4 – which should help make it more sophisticated to drive than van-based models, including the Mercedes EQV and Peugeot e-Traveller.

But how does the VW ID Buzz compare with key rivals, from five-seat electric SUVs such as the Tesla Model Y, to electric seven-seaters, including the Kia EV9 and Peugeot e-5008? Read on to find out...

All versions except the GTX have a single 282bhp electric motor driving the rear wheels. That's enough power to push the ID Buzz to 60mph from a standstill in less than eight seconds – quicker than an entry-level Kia EV9 or Peugeot e-5008 but no match for any Tesla Model Y.

The Buzz feels nippiest at town speeds, where it can dash away from traffic lights and on to roundabouts with surprising gusto, and acceleration is still strong at higher speeds. You won't have any issues with outside-lane motorway driving – it's happy sitting at high speeds.

The ID Buzz SWB has a 79kWh (usable capacity) battery, giving it an official range of up to 283 miles (it varies slightly depending on trim level). Meanwhile, the LWB version has an 86kWh battery, which increases the official range to 291 miles – more than the Mercedes EQV but less than an EV9 or e-5008. As with all electric cars the real-world range will fall some way short of those official figures.

The GTX has two electric motors, giving it four-wheel drive and a total of 335bhp, improving the 0-62mph acceleration time to an impressive 6.1 seconds. The official range drops slightly, but the GTX is the best version for towing: the SWB version can pull up to 1800kg, compared with 1200kg for less powerful versions of the ID Buzz.

The supple suspension means occupants are jostled around far less than in a Model Y. In fact, ride comfort is one of the ID Buzz SWB's strongest attributes, even if you can't resist the optional 21in alloys (the largest available).

There's just enough float to iron out undulations on faster A-roads and motorways but not so much that your passengers will feel nauseous. Thanks to its sophisticated damping, it deals with potholes in a remarkably composed manner.

Unfortunately, the Buzz LWB loses a little of its shorter sibling's sophistication. Its bigger battery adds weight, and means it can't smother bumps as well as some other seven-seaters including the pricier Kia EV9.

It's hard to judge from the photos, but the standard-wheelbase (SWB) ID Buzz is actually slightly shorter than a Model Y, while the long-wheelbase (LWB) model is marginally shorter than a Range Rover. Both versions have a relatively tight turning circle, making them surprisingly easy to manoeuvre in urban environments.

No ID Buzz – even the range-topping GTX – is particularly sporty to drive on faster roads. If you want an electric car that’s genuinely agile, we’d suggest looking at the Kia EV6 or Tesla Model 3.

That said, there's plenty of grip, and the Buzz stays fairly upright through tight twists. It also responds more immediately to steering inputs than a Kia EV9 or VW Multivan. All things considered, the ID Buzz is a thoroughly pleasant MPV to waft around in.

The ID Buzz is super-easy to drive and, with no gear changes to worry about, it's particularly relaxing when mooching about in traffic.

The regenerative braking adjusts its strength automatically according to the road lay-out and traffic, and in default D mode, the Buzz will coast when you ease off the accelerator, making it easier to maintain speed when you're on faster, flowing roads. If you switch to B mode, the braking effect becomes more aggressive, allowing you to drive around town without needing to touch the brake pedal very much at all.

When you do need press the pedal, you'll find it relatively easy to slow your progress smoothly. In some electric cars – including other VW models – the brake pedal lacks any real feel, making it easy to inadvertently apply too much braking force.

The ID Buzz is a quiet car, especially around town. At faster speeds you'll start to notice some road noise and a bit of wind noise around the door mirrors, but on the whole it's a far more peaceful cruiser than the Model Y.

“I like that the gear selector is a stalk behind the steering wheel. It quickly becomes second nature and saves you reaching down between the front seats.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

You sit so high up in the ID Buzz you could almost think you’re driving a Range Rover. The effect is enhanced in Style and GTX versions because there are slender (and very useful) adjustable armrests on either side of the driver's seat.

In fact, the driving position in the ID Buzz would be close to perfect were it not for VW’s obsession with fiddly touch-sensitive controls. You’ll find them on the dashboard for the air-con system, on the doors (to adjust the mirrors) and on the steering wheel.

With huge expanses of glass and upright pillars, the ID Buzz gives you a view out that a family SUV could only dream of. It doesn't feel at all daunting on the road and you’re always confident you know where the car's extremities are.

It helps that there's only a small bonnet projection to judge, and you get front and rear parking sensors as standard, along with a reversing camera for extra peace of mind. 

Full LED headlights come as standard, while top-spec Style trim introduces matrix alternatives that alter the light’s beam pattern to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Every ID Buzz has a 12.9in touchscreen mounted on the dashboard. It's more responsive than earlier VW touchscreens but there are still more user-friendly infotainment systems out there – in the Tesla Model Y for example.

The Buzz has a competent voice-control system that uses ChatGPT to answer a range of general questions, and you can run apps from your smartphone on the screen using wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

All models have a tray near the indicator stalk to charge your phone wirelessly, and there are enough USB-C sockets for each passenger to have one.

You won’t find as much soft-touch plastic in the ID Buzz as you would a similar-priced electric SUV. However, most of the bits you touch regularly, including the steering wheel and armrests, feel fairly upmarket.

The Buzz also feels remarkably light, airy and cheerful inside, thanks to the various bright interior colour schemes and huge windows. The GTX version has a darker interior, but doesn't look or feel gloomy.

The two-tone exterior paint option is particularly characterful: Life and Style models have a white top half, while on GTX trim the upper section of the car is painted silver.

“The hard interior plastics are easier to wipe down than softer, plusher materials would be. I think that's a good thing for a family-focused MPV.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

The VW ID Buzz is the ultimate box on wheels. And that's not only because of its shape, but also because of the floor. Other than the seats and the removable "Buzz Box" storage unit between the driver and front passenger, there's nothing to impede interior space.

There are plenty of storage areas in the dashboard, including a hatch that pulls down to reveal a couple of cupholders.

As you'd probably expect, there's more than enough head and leg room in the front of the Buzz for exceptionally tall people to sit up straight without touching the roof.

The SWB version has five seats as standard, although for a small premium you can have six seats instead (three rows of two chairs). Meanwhile, the LWB version is offered with either the same six-seat layout, or as a seven-seater with a three-seat bench across the second row.

The second row seats on all models offers an vast amount of leg and head room, and the LWB version has one of the roomiest third rows of any car on sale – even a BMW X7 feels cramped by comparison. A couple of six-footers will have plenty of space in front of their knees and above their heads.

The Buzz's sliding side doors make getting in and out really easy, and are especially helpful in tight parking spaces. On Style and GTX trims, the doors are electrically operated, and on LWB versions are nearly 20cm longer than on the SWB to make access even better.

There's no shortage of Isofix child seat mounting points, although it’s a shame that the five-seater has them only on the outer two seats. The Buzz is easily broad enough to carry three burly adults side by side, let alone three children.

In a five or seven-seat Buzz, the 60/40 split second-row seat bench slides back and forth, and the seatbacks can be reclined or folded down – although they can't be removed from the car entirely like they can in a VW Multivan.

You can, however, remove the third row of seats in six and seven-seat versions.

In all its guises the ID Buzz has a very big boot. We managed to fit 16 carry-on suitcases below the load cover of the five-seat SWB version – for comparison, a Tesla Model Y managed to swallow 10 cases.

The LWB model – which is about 25cm longer than the SWB – has a modest 306-litre boot (about the same as in a Vauxhall Corsa) even with all three rows of seats in use. With the second and third row seats folded down it's essentially a small van.

In entry-level Life versions, there's an annoying step in the floor of the load bay when you fold down the rear seats. However, Style and GTX models fix that with a Multi-flex board, which is essentially a shelf that partitions the space, allowing you to store smaller items under the main boot floor. The assembly can be removed by undoing some bolts, although you'll need somewhere to store it.

The tailgate is big and hinged at the top so it can double as a shelter when you're taking off muddy boots – although you need a fair bit of space behind the car to swing it open.

“Given that the six and seven-seat layouts don't add much to the price, I'd say they're a no brainer over the five-seat version.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

On the face of it, the VW ID Buzz seems very expensive for a "van with windows", but incredibly slow predicted depreciation means you'll get a lot of your investment back when you decide to sell.

It also means monthly PCP finance repayments are respectable – often cheaper than for equivalent electric SUVs such as the Audi Q6 e-tron and Kia EV9. The ID Buzz isn't the most efficient user of electricity, though (blame the boxy shape for that).

ID Buzz SWB has a maximum charging speed of 185kW, for a 10-80% top-up in around half an hour. Meanwhile, the LWB version can charge at up to 200kW, although 10-80% still takes around 30min because you're topping up a bigger battery.

Three trim levels are available: Life, Style and GTX. Life comes with a decent amount of equipment, including 19in alloys, adaptive cruise control, climate control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. 

We'd recommend paying a bit extra for Style trim though. It adds powered side doors and an electric tailgate, larger 20in wheels, a powered tailgate, matrix LED headlights and the Multi-flex boot board.

The GTX is rather pricey, so unless you’re choosing it for four-wheel drive or its increased towing capacity it's hard justify. As well as those, it gets a huge panoramic glass roof and 21in alloy wheels.

Other than two-tone paint, the only option we'd recommend paying extra for is the 230V interior plug socket. At 300W, it's not powerful enough to boil a kettle but it could be useful for charging up your laptop – or perhaps powering a pump for inflating an air bed.

The ID Buzz didn't feature specifically in the 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey but Volkswagen came 18th out of 31 brands in the overall manufacturer league table. That's above Audi and Mercedes but well below Hyundai and Kia.

The ID Buzz was awarded five stars out of five for safety when it was appraised by Euro NCAP. It scored particularly high marks for child-occupant crash protection and was also praised for its protection of adults.

To help you avoid an accident in the first place, all versions come with automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist protection, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring and road-sign recognition. An exit warning feature alerts the driver and passengers to approaching cyclists.

“I think Style trim is well worth the extra over entry-level Life. The GTX version makes little sense though.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

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