Introduction
What Car? says...
Retro cars done right can be a huge hit, and the latest model to play the nostalgia card is the Volkswagen ID Buzz. It harks back to the loveable looks of VW's Type 2 campers – something that’s especially obvious with a two-tone paint job.
An awful lot has changed since the original Type 2 first put-putted its way into the hearts of millions in the 1950s, of course. Today’s VW ID Buzz rides the wave of popular interest in electric cars and all versions run on a near-silent motor powered by a sizeable battery pack.
In this review, we’ll let you know how long that charging session is likely to take, as well as how practical the VW ID Buzz is inside, which trim level makes the most sense and the options we'd recommend adding. We'll also tell you how it stacks up against electric models you might be considering, such as the BMW iX3, Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model Y.
When you’ve made up your mind which car you want to buy, don’t forget to head over to the What Car? New Car Deals pages. You'll find lots of tempting new electric car deals.
FAQs
At the moment, the Buzz is available with five seats only, but a long-wheelbase version with seven seats should arrive in late 2023. The VW Multivan offers seven seats and similar looks, but isn't electric.
Not yet – you can't currently spec a bed, sink or fridge for the ID Buzz – but Volkswagen plans to offer a California camper version in future.
As with VW’s other ID cars, the Buzz is only available in pure electric form. The 201bhp electric motor is powered by a 77kWh battery.
Officially, the ID Buzz can do up to 260 miles on a full battery charge. In the real world, expect between 180 and 230 miles – depending on how cold it is.
Top speed is 90mph – faster than you're ever likely to need to go. Acceleration is strong at low speeds, making the ID Buzz feel faster than its 0-60mph time of 9.5sec would suggest.
RRP price range | £58,915 - £63,715 |
---|---|
Number of trims (see all) | 3 |
Number of engines (see all) | 1 |
Available fuel types (which is best for you?) | electric |
Available doors options | 5 |
Warranty | 3 years / 100000 miles |
Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £118 / £127 |
Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £235 / £255 |
Available colours |