WHAT'S THE BUZZ? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Volkswagen's most topical EV is the ID. Buzz People Carrier. Jonathan Crouch drives the improved version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 44

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz trendily redefines what a large family MPV can be for the new EV era, particularly in this updated form. To some extent, practicality is sacrificed on the altar of fashion but hey, this EV's fun but sensible, enviro-conscious but desirable.

Backgroundword count: 247

With the ID. Buzz, one of motoring's most iconic models, the Volkswagen Bus, was finally reinvented. The old Type 2 model it references, in production for a quarter of a century between 1950 and 1975, is still (after the Beetle) Volkswagen's second most recognisable vehicle, variously known as the 'Camper', the 'Bulli' and the 'Hippie van' but most commonly called the 'Microbus' or more usually, just the 'Bus'. Following the turn of the century, the Wolfsburg maker dropped constant hints that it might recreate it, first with the 'Microbus concept' of 2001, then with the 'Bulli concept' of 2011, followed by the 'BUDD-e' of 2015 and the 'ID. Buzz Cargo concept' in 2018. But by the end of this century's second decade, still nothing production-ready had been forthcoming. The delay was necessary for two reasons; the need to wait for the technology to properly recreate the 'bus for a new electrified era; and the necessity for the brand to launch its ID. series of electric hatch models first - the ID.3, the ID.4 and the ID.5. This ID. Buzz finally followed for the 2022 model year, a trend-setting People Carrier that quickly became the Internet's favourite MPV. Sold both in passenger-carrying MPV and commercial 'ID. Buzz Cargo' van forms, it was built in Hanover alongside the brand's more conventional Multivan MPV. And was like no other model of its kind. A wide-ranging package of updates followed in mid-2024, including the introduction of the longer wheelbase 7-seater version.

Driving Experienceword count: 490

Though this ID.Buzz looks very much the same as it did at original launch back in 2022, quite a bit's actually changed about the way it drives. Mainstream models are still single motor rear-driven, but the original 204PS / 77kWh battery set-up of the first version has now been updated to the 286PS / 79kWh powertrain we first saw in the brand's ID.7 executive EV. This is a set-up you could alternatively choose to have with the longer-ranging 86kWh battery we tested. The addition of a heavier long wheelbase body shape into the line-up has also meant the need for Volkswagen to make available the twin motor 4MOTION drivetrain that was lacking from the original model. This boosts total output to 340PS, can be ordered with either battery size and can only be had with the top 'GTX' trim level we tried. Whatever version of this MPV you choose, there's nothing at all retro about it to drive. Silent running was never a feature of the old chugging rear-engined, rear-driven Volkswagen Type 2, but of course the all-electric ID. Buzz is very different. It quietly surges urgently forward in response to your right foot; thanks to 560Nm of torque, taking the mainstream models to 62mph in under eight seconds on the way to the modest 99mph maximum. At last, something Type 2 owners of the Sixties will properly recognise. You'll want to know about drive range - and there's no one answer to that question because it varies widely depending on body shape, battery size, trim and motor choice. Saddle the 4MOTION drivetrain and big-wheeled GTX trim with the smaller battery and it could be as little as 249 miles; but choose base-spec with the larger 86kWh battery and it could be as much as 293 miles. In any Buzz, you sit commandingly, using a drive selector stalk on the right of the steering wheel. On the move, surprisingly, at least to some degree, the Buzz can deliver both comfort and a little sportiness. It feels like the premium product its price point demands, and in fact is one of the best-riding electric cars we've driven - though the big 21-inch wheels of the GTX version don't help you over speed humps and potholes. Body roll is kept tight through corners, and the level of refinement is excellent, not just for the MPV class, but any class. We're not so impressed by the lack of brake energy recuperation options: there just an extra 'B' gear selector function to heighten energy harvesting off-throttle. But in every other way, the ID. Buzz is a revelation to drive. You might worry about urban travel in something this large - nearly 5-metres long in this lengthier form and just shy of 2-metres wide - but you shouldn't. There's a tight 11-metres turning circle (a metre better than the Multivan), which along with the glassy cabin should make the Buzz feel very manoeuvrable in town

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