The electric VW ID. Buzz will break cover next month, and we’ve driven a prototype to find out how it’s shaping up
- Based on the VW ID. Buzz concept car
- Measures in at 4.7m long, and will be available as a passenger model or a cargo van
- Single and dual motor powertrains expected
The new Volkswagen ID. Buzz will be revealed on 9 March. When it arrives, the new electric MPV will be the fourth addition to VW’s pure-electric ‘ID’ model range, joining the ID.3 hatchback, ID.4 SUV and new ID.5 coupe-SUV.
Previously, Volkswagen CEO Ralf Brandstätter has exclaimed the ID. Buzz will be the brand’s “most iconic, emotional and likeable model ever”, with the model forming a part of the car maker’s promise to offer at least 70% of its model line-up with an electric powertrain by 2030.
The ID. Buzz was first showcased back in 2017 at the Detroit motor show in concept form, with VW demonstrating its potential to be used as a camper or a van – a breadth of talents that’s very similar to the VW Microbus of 1950, also known as the Type 2.
While full specifications are yet to be revealed for the forthcoming production version, buyers will be able to pick from a variety of specifications including a minibus version with a varied amount of seating options, or a three-seat commercial cargo van. Rivals will include the Citroen e-SpaceTourer, Mercedes EQV, Peugeot e-Traveller, Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life.
Ahead of the reveal of the new ID. Buzzl on 9 March, we’ve driven a prototype to see how it’s shaping up. Read on for the full lowdown on the new model and the full review.
2022 Volkswagen ID. Buzz: design and styling
Despite the camouflage wrap on the prototype, it’s clear that the ID. Buzz borrows styling cues from the VW’s of old, mixed with elements of the brand’s current EV model range.
At the front, it's clear the styling borrows from the ID.3 and ID.4 models with a slim headlight design, and a full-width LED light bar sitting above the blanked-off front grille. Beneath this, the front bumper has hexagonal air intakes running the full width of the nose.
The car’s profile starts with a steeply angled front windscreen and dimensions indicating it will accommodate three rows of seating in the passenger model, with a rear sliding door and large aerodynamic alloy wheels ranging from 20- to 21-inches in size. Buyers can also expect a vast amount of storage space for the commercial van version, called the ID. Buzz Cargo. Like the other VW ID. models, the charging port is located in the lower part of the rear quarter panel near the bumper.
The rear will also borrow styling cues from the ID.4 and ID.5, with a slim LED tail light design and a full-width light bar.
Platform, powertrains and charging
Like all of the Volkswagen ID models, the ID. Buzz is based on the brand’s MEB platform, which has been designed specifically for pure-electric cars. It’s already used in several VW Group models, including the Audi Q4 e-tron, Cupra Born, Skoda Enyaq iV and VW ID.3 and ID.4.
While powertrain details are yet to be fully revealed, the 201bhp single-electric motor setup from the ID.3 and ID.4 will be available with a 77kWh battery. This is likely to be joined by a more powerful dual-motor setup, along with larger and smaller battery options, with the top version capable of a range of well over 300 miles. Rapid charging will also feature, with speeds of up to 135kW likely. This should mean a 10-80% charge will take around half an hour, while a full recharge from a 7kW home wallbox will take around 13 hours.
Interior and practicality
As the ID. Buzz is yet to be fully revealed, we’ve yet to see the interior in full. During our time with the cargo prototype model, only the infotainment screen, steering wheel and digital dial cluster were visible. All of the tech and layout will look very similar to that found in the ID.3 and ID.4, with a touchscreen angled towards the driver, along with a touch-sensitive slider button panel, which will be used to control the ventilation and stereo system.
Thanks to its boxy shape, the interior will offer plenty of space, which is helped by the battery being mounted beneath the floor. While the exact specs will be revealed when the model launches, VW says the ID. Buzz measures in at 4.7 metres long, almost two metres wide, with a wheelbase of nearly three metres. It will also feature an almost entirely flat floor with enough room for up to eight passengers or a vast cargo space. It’s thought that the ID. Buzz will be offered as a commercial van, a kombi van with two rows of seats and as a full eight-seater minibus.
2022 Volkswagen ID. Buzz prototype drive – by Richard Ingram
The Volkswagen Type 2 van is one of the most iconic designs in the brand’s history: a model that is instantly recognisable around the world. VW is now hoping to capitalise on that following with the new ID. Buzz, which is essentially an electric passenger bus/cargo van that owes plenty to the original Type 2.
While the brand has attempted to capture the magic of the Type 2 on several occasions, the arrival of the ID. Buzz has been a long time coming. A total of four concept models have been shown over the years, with the latest morphing into the ID. Buzz production model that we see here.
We were given the keys to a late-stage pre-production ID. Buzz Cargo model, which will rival the Ford Transit. It features a three-seat bench in the front, along with a bulkhead to allow you to fully stack the storage area. It’ll arrive alongside the passenger model in March, which loses the bulkhead, and gets a full complement of rear seats and glass windows all around.
Inside, the driving position is high, with an SUV-style commanding view of the road ahead. Rear visibility is slightly restricted in Cargo form, but every model will get a reversing camera as standard to make parking easier. Despite its size, the ID. Buzz cargo has an 11-metre turning circle, making it relatively easy to manoeuvre at low speed.
During our test drive, the ID. Buzz felt slightly firm in town driving. However, despite this being a prototype, everything felt very well constructed, with a strong level of refinement, a comfortable ride and no rattles or shakes.
On faster roads, the instant potency of the ID. Buzz was impressive, with decent acceleration available with a touch of the throttle thanks to the 201bhp rear-mounted electric motor, making overtaking a simple task. It feels agile and secure on the road too, with quick steering. In sharper corners, there’s minimal body lean with decent control, while the short front overhang makes it easy to place the van on the road.
While range figures have yet to be confirmed, our test car was showing a range of 180 miles with 77% charge. Meaning a range of around 240 miles should be possible in mixed driving – which should be more than enough for most buyers.
While the interior of our test car was mostly hidden, the same grumbles as with VW’s other ‘ID’ models arise, with the slide control panel used for the climate and stereo being fiddly to use.
Verdict:
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz could be the most complete electric van yet. With an excellent range, performance and practicality, it will be easy to live with as a family car. Add to this the technology and its retro-themed design, and it looks like VW has a winner on their hands with a mass of buyer appeal.
Keyword: 2022 Volkswagen ID. Buzz MPV: prices, specs, release date and prototype drive