Living with a Volkswagen ID Buzz: From Retro Icon to Practical Electric Family Car

Living with a Volkswagen ID Buzz: From Retro Icon to Practical Electric Family Car

By Michael Anderson

February 11, 2025 at 04:36 PM

The Volkswagen ID Buzz combines retro-inspired styling with modern electric practicality, offering a unique proposition in the electric family car segment. Inspired by the iconic 1960s VW bus, its distinctive design features a flat nose and swept-back headlights, making it stand out on today's roads.

image

image

With a commanding driving position and excellent visibility, the ID Buzz proves surprisingly manageable in urban environments despite its size. The interior offers exceptional space with a light, airy feel enhanced by extensive glazing, though some materials fall short of expectations for a vehicle in this price range.

VW ID Buzz front view

VW ID Buzz front view

Practicality is a major strength, featuring a sliding rear bench and class-leading 1,121-liter boot capacity - surpassing even the Tesla Model Y's 971 liters. The ID Buzz offers flexible seating configurations for five, six, or seven passengers.

Yellow VW ID Buzz side view

Yellow VW ID Buzz side view

Performance-wise, the standard 286hp rear-wheel-drive model offers the best balance of power and efficiency, with a claimed range of 293 miles. However, real-world motorway range drops to around 230 miles at 70mph with the 86kWh battery.

VW ID Buzz rear angle view

VW ID Buzz rear angle view

The suspension delivers excellent ride comfort, though the infotainment system can be frustrating to use. While the GTX model offers more power with 340hp and dual motors, its higher price point makes it less compelling than the standard version.

ID Buzz cargo space with seats up

ID Buzz cargo space with seats up

VW ID Buzz modern dashboard view

VW ID Buzz modern dashboard view

image

image

Despite its premium pricing starting at nearly £60,000 and some technical quirks, the ID Buzz successfully delivers both style and substance. It excels as a practical family vehicle while offering distinctive design that captures attention.

VW ID Buzz electric van front

VW ID Buzz electric van front

Related Articles

Previous Articles