Introduction

They’re full of junk.

That’s what my wife referred to when I was sorting out some boxes. The problem is that she doesn’t understand my weakness. I can’t bear to throw out anything. I still have all of the phones. Most are in boxes with leads, manuals etc.

I suppose it comes from a place of liking retro stuff. And it seems that a lot of other people do too. For example, for the past week, I’ve had a Volkswagen ID. Buzz sat on the drive. I’m struggling to remember a car which has seen so many folks stopping to look at it. A bunch of students went further and started posing in front of it.

Design and Appeal

The ID. Buzz has been on sale for a year now, but it still turns heads. Some older generation readers will remember going on numerous holidays in the original Volkswagen Type 2 camper van. The versions with a split windscreen are very desirable. My parents once hired one and it stank of petrol fumes. The two-tone paint job completes the retro look.

Market Impact

The ID. Buzz has caused quite a stir because it’s excellent and has shaken up the MPV / large battery-powered car market. Oh, and if you’re wondering, the ID abbreviation stands for intelligent design, identity, and visionary technologies. And of course, it looks like nothing else on the road - very retro but very cool.

Variants and Future Models

At the moment you can only choose from a 5-seater Buzz or the commercial focussed ID. Buzz Cargo van which has up to 3 seats in the front. A long-wheelbase 7-seater will arrive later this year and, at some point, you can expect to see a Caravelle (camper van) launched.

Trim Levels and Pricing

In terms of trim, you only get a choice of two in the 5-seater ID. Buzz, Buzz Life and Buzz Style. Prices start at £59,035.

Performance and Range

Underneath the funky exterior, you’ll find a stretched platform of the one which also appears in various other Volkswagen ID models. The power set-up is the same too: a battery which feeds a 201bhp electric motor that drives the rear wheels. 0-60 is doable a shade over 10 seconds and your top speed is 90mph. The predicted range is around 257 miles and if you can find a rapid charger, you’ll boost the battery from 5-80% in around 30 minutes. There’ll be a bigger battery, more power, greater range and probably all-wheel drive in what Volkswagen calls 4MOTION towards the end of the year.  

Driving Experience

Out on the road, the ID. Buzz is good to drive. Even though this is a large vehicle, it’s quite easy to place on the road because the wheels are shoved into the corners and there’s hardly any overhang. The window pillars are fairly small which makes for excellent all-round visibility and the big windscreen gives you a panoramic view. It’s surprisingly easy to put around town and actually feels quite nippy. The driving position is excellent. You sit high up in the ID. Buzz and can peer over the top of other road users. Electric cars aren’t hampered by an engine up front which generally means that they have an excellent turning circle. The ride is well controlled; it’ll make for terrific short and long haul family jaunts. Even though the ID. Buzz is tall when compared to a normal car, it handles well, largely thanks to having a heavy battery slung under the cabin floor.

Interior Space and Comfort

Needless to say, there are masses of interior space and all of the seats are comfy. The sliding doors for rear passengers make access a doddle. Carrying capacity in the rear is a colossal 1,121 litres.

Interior Design and Features

The interior is seriously smart and there’s a premium look and feel to everything. The sweeping windscreen and small quarter lights give the cabin a really airy, upmarket appearance. The fact that the material on the seats is a light colour, as is a lot of the trim, means that the inside of the ID. Buzz is a nice fun place to be. 

Equipment and Technology

In terms of kit, there’s not much point in moving up to the Buzz Style trim because Buzz Life is well equipped. You can choose from 10 different ambient lighting shades; the windscreen and front seats are heated, as is the steering wheel; there are 4 USG charging sockets in the rear; there’s a reversing camera, sat nav, DAB radio, and really good adaptive cruise control. Unfortunately, you are faced with the rather irritating infotainment system. It’s too complicated and it’s rather slow. There are sliders underneath the screen to adjust volume and temperature, but they’re not illuminated. Good luck if you’re driving in the dark because it really is a case of dabbing away until something happens. 

The voice control can be frustrating too. It keeps joining in while you’re having a chat with your passengers.

Conclusion

Those are minor gripes. There’s no doubt that the ID. Buzz is a hugely tempting package. Yes, it is expensive, but it’ll hang onto its value like a limpet. It’s also well equipped. If you are looking to use the ID. Buzz for family holiday trips, I’d recommend that you hang on for a few months and go for the long wheelbase version which can be specified with either 6 or 7 seats. It’ll probably have a few more innovations, so don’t be surprised if the front seats swivel and there might be a facility to make the centre row of seats into a table. The range will climb to almost 300 miles and there’ll be extra power to cope with heavier loads. Perfect.

words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Volkswagen