It’s impossible to overlook the Volkswagen ID.Buzz; particularly due to its distinctive two-tone body styling that evokes memories of its iconic predecessor from the '50s and '60s. However, this modern interpretation graces us with an electric powertrain for the 21st-century drive.
Before the introduction of the LWB version, the ID.Buzz was offered exclusively with five seats for family use in Europe. That wasn’t sufficient. The launch of the ID.Buzz LWB addresses this issue. "LWB" stands for "long wheelbase," which adds an extra 25 centimeters compared to the regular model. Consequently, the vehicle can accommodate seven genuine seating positions along with additional storage space and enhanced driving range. Therefore, the new edition features a battery capacity of 86 kilowatt-hours usable (or 91 kilowatt-hours nominal), representing a gain of 7 kilowatt-hours over the base ID.Buzz equipped with identical propulsion technology. While the increase may seem modest, every bit helps when it comes to performance improvements. Let’s delve deeper into these details next.
It's finally time to get behind the steering wheel of this four-meter ninety-six-long box as we embark on a highway journey through the rural landscapes of Western Flanders around Kortrijk, Belgium.
Combi bus
To start, press down on the brake pedal and use your hand to shift the selector located behind the steering wheel. As soon as we do this, we set off amid appreciative glances from those around us who admire the neo-retro design of our small vehicle. It’s tempting to respond with a surfer-style salute just to flaunt it further. Since tonight marks an adventure, we'll sleep on air mattresses following a celebration where we’ll provide music entertainment. Besides myself and my trio of companions—who had been stowed away in the trunk—the car also accommodates several items: suitcases, additional air beds, sleeping bags, amplifiers, speaker systems, a substantial collection of audio cables, microphones, and even a disco ball. All these belongings neatly packed themselves into place within the hatchback area—complete with optional electric operation—and over the designated compartments holding essential supplies such as first-aid kits and warning triangles—all without needing to remove the luggage compartment lid. However, setting up microphone stands required positioning them at the backseat level. Additionally, plans include making full use of the side-hinged doors—which come equipped with electric functionality—to reach the farthest seating positions easily; thus ensuring each seat folds forward conveniently for accessibility. In summary, everything was thoughtfully arranged for comfort during what promises to be quite an exciting journey.
Holiday Atmosphere
Sitting in the driver’s seat on the right side, you face an extensive dashboard that seems never-ending. This expanse offers little practical use. However, fortunately, there is a glove box positioned ahead of the passenger above the actual glove compartment. Similar storage spaces can be found scattered around the interior cabin. Additionally, close to the steering wheel, there is a slot designed specifically for smartphones located just above two USB-C ports. While these USB-C ports may not be essential for phones equipped with wireless charging capabilities since the console includes an induction charger. Furthermore, USB-C connections are available for both the front-seat passenger and rear passengers. Despite being made primarily from plastic, connectivity within this user-friendly space remains comprehensive.
For adjusting light levels, the electrochromic panoramic sunroof allows you to change its tint simply by swiping your finger across a touch-sensitive zone on the ceiling. This feature adds a playful element to driving!
Moreover, although insulation glass is offered as an additional option, once installed, it transforms the vehicle into a quiet sanctuary—even external noises like those produced by intoxicated individuals become barely audible inside. Interestingly enough, even when idling, the car runs silently!
Tchiki boum
Could you picture the stereotypical scene of hipster enthusiasts swaying to the rhythm of the music as they meander through their vibrant world aboard a verdant and alabaster bus? This scenario aptly describes our experience during the evaluation phase—though none of us actually identifies strictly as hipsters. The ID.Buzz fosters an atmosphere conducive to relaxed discovery. On highways too, every stretch of asphalt seems transformed.
With the powerful 286 horsepower (210 kilowatts) engine positioned at the back of the van, dominating roadways becomes effortless; maneuvering into the far-left lanes feels natural. Boasting impressive torque of 560 Newton-meters, swift acceleration comes almost effortlessly, enabling a sprint from zero to one hundred kilometers per hour within just 7.9 seconds when pressed firmly upon the accelerator pedal. A top speed limit of 160 km/h ensures safety without compromising performance.
However, navigating corners and circles requires caution owing to the substantial size of the vehicle—a characteristic reminiscent of a block-shaped carton of milk despite the strategically placed batteries lowering its center of gravity. Nonetheless, Volkswagen’s meticulous refinement of airflow dynamics allows comfortable extended drives, enhanced further by the introduction of a novel fuel-efficient variant within the VW ID lineup designed specifically for such ventures.
Traveller
In rural areas, one might achieve energy consumption under 19 kWh per 100 km. However, driving above 100 km/h typically increases this to about 23 kWh per 100 km. During our trip, we enjoyed mild springlike temperatures, allowing us to aim for approximately 300 km on highways and over 400 km overall. Regardless of the time of year, expect needing roughly two-hour breaks at highway rest stops for recharge sessions; these could extend up to 2.5 hours during favorable conditions. When ready to charge, align the vehicle’s rear-right side close to the socket. While the peak charging rate is 200 kW, the effective output depends on both the charger unit and your vehicle's onboard systems—often settling between 125 kW. Plan accordingly: anticipate spending at minimum half an hour resting each time you top off enough juice for another 200 kilometers, particularly avoiding very chilly days. Additionally, come winter, consider optional features like heated backseats and a windshield de-icing function to maintain comfort and efficiency.
Limited weight
Whether you're setting up camp or visiting the recycling center, towing a trailer becomes an option due to the electric tow hook rated for 1000 kg. However, be cautious as adding passengers could push the overall weight over 3.5 tonnes. If this happens, ensure you have the right driving license. There's also a key detail about the vehicle's limits: its maximum authorized gross weight is set at 3340 kg. Therefore, fitting seven rugby players along with their equipment inside and using only the available 306 liters of trunk space would exceed capacity. When all rear seating is lowered, transforming the ID.Buzz into a makeshift cargo van offers a generous 2469-liter load area; still, it isn’t suitable for large-scale moves. Comfort features like ambient lighting cater primarily to casual use and daily commutes. Additionally, the central display supports modern connectivity needs such as smartphone integration. Lastly, even though it has considerable dimensions, the extended wheelbase version comes equipped with advanced systems—like exterior cameras—that significantly ease urban maneuvers including tight parallel parking spots requiring around 5.5 meters clearance.
The Painful Price
The extended-wheelbase ID.Buzz is fantastic. It's an enjoyable mini-bus both visually and to drive. Its 86-kilowatt-hour battery suggests potential for adventures and journeys with minimal compromises, although during colder months, you might have to adjust your expectations somewhat. Starting at around €62,000 inclusive of value-added tax (VAT), which compares to about €56,000 for the five-seat version equipped with a 79-kilowatt-hour battery; our test vehicle from Belgium came fully loaded in Pro trim, priced at approximately €85,722 after adding features like the entertainment package costing €1,657, the convenience package totaling €3,091, additional items such as the tow bar, sliding side doors, and power rear gate amounting to €3,130, bi-color paint job, comprehensive driver assistance systems worth €2,585, plus a stylish cabin upgrade for another €4,114.
In comparison, a seven-passenger ID.Buzz Pro in France will set you back roughly €58,400. Meanwhile, buyers in Switzerland face a base price close to 71,000 Swiss francs ($71,000) for the longer variant in Pro configuration. Over in Canada, this luxurious edition could approach nearly $81,000 CAD. Quite impressive indeed!
(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Source: Volkswagen – Images: © Olivier Duquesne & Volkswagen)