Volkswagen ID. Buzz review – retro surfer bus reinvented as an EV

Verdict – is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz a good car?

When it first launched, the ID. Buzz MPV impressed us with its retro charm and spacious interior but it was let down by sluggish performance and the lack of a seven-seater option. Now that’s changed and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the car we think it should have been from the outset, with punchy power, a versatile long-wheelbase version that costs just a tiny bit more but adds a seven-seater layout, and even a hot GTX model for added excitement.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz models, specs and alternatives

The original Volkswagen Type 2 van is probably one of the most iconic vehicles ever produced and a symbol of California surfer culture and the hippy movement of the 1960s. The Volkswagen ID. Buzz takes the legendary look of that car and slingshots it right into the modern day with an all-electric setup that also makes it pretty future-proof.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz was launched as one the brand’s first ID. models, helping kick-start interest as retro-inspired model. As merely a five-seater from launch, it wasn’t quite as practical as you’d expect, but an update in 2024 introduced a long-wheelbase model that rectified that with a seven-seat layout more worthy of a bus. It just makes the most sense, given it costs less than £500 more than the original at the time of writing. 

Now even the short-wheelbase model can be specified with six seats, though the rearmost row is rather tight on legroom, and both versions have a big boot. A hot GTX model was also introduced, hoping to appeal to buyers after more performance, but unless you want the ultimate ID. Buzz and money is no object, we’d avoid this hotted-up model – there’s far better value lower in the range.

The best people carriers and MPVs on sale in 2025

While its name may elicit groans (electric + bus = Buzz), the ‘ID.’ prefix ties the ID. Buzz in with the rest of Volkswagen’s electric car lineup. Yet, a name isn’t the only thing the ID. Buzz shares with VW’s other electric cars – the plug-in MPV sits on a modified version of the ID.3 and ID.4’s underpinnings, too.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz GTX model also arrived in 2024, bringing a spicy spin to the electric MPV formula. This version gets a dual-motor setup – the same one found in the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX – with a combined output of 335bhp. It also gets some sporty visual enhancements to help it stand out, such as a unique front bumper, gloss black trim and 21-inch alloy wheels, along with a unique Cherry Red colour.

Also arriving in 2024 is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz GTX model, which brings a spicy spin to the electric MPV formula. This version gets a dual-motor setup – the same one found in the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX – with a combined output of 335bhp. It also gets some sporty visual enhancements to help it stand out, such as a unique front bumper, gloss black trim and 21-inch alloy wheels.

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Charging up the 79kWh battery version from 10-80% can take as little as 30 minutes thanks the ID. Buzz’s 185kW speeds, while charging of the 86kWh battery is rated at up to 200kW, making for a top-up that takes around the same time to complete.

After a full charge, Volkswagen claims the standard ID. Buzz should be able to manage up to 291 miles before needing to be plugged in again. The long-wheelbase 86kWh battery model isn’t far behind at up to 283 miles to a charge.

Speaking of size, the ID. Buzz feels incredibly spacious on the inside. The VW’s boxy shape means there is plenty of headroom and a multitude of clever storage solutions means that there is always somewhere to place your valuables. While there isn’t quite as much space as some van-based MPVs, the Buzz still packs a cavernous boot – almost double the size you’d expect in an equivalent electric SUV.

Answering those after more people-carrying capability, Volkswagen released a long-wheelbase model with seven seats, while its short-wheelbase version can now be specified with six seats – two of these are in the centre row and the rearmost-row gets the other pair, although legroom looks rather tight. The price difference between the short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase models is very small, so it’s worth springing for the seven seater on this basis, we think.

All versions of the ID. Buzz come well equipped as standard; there are now three trim levels to choose from: Life, Style and GTX. Starting at just under £60,000, the entry-level Life trim gets things like LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, a heated steering wheel and a reversing camera. For around £4,000 more, ID. Buzz Style models benefit from neat visual touches such as larger alloys and a front light bar. The GTX gets the sporty touches mentioned above, but with an anticipated price tag in excess of £70k it’s also seriously expensive.

While it may be expensive to buy outright, the ID. Buzz will appeal to company car drivers thanks to low Benefit-in-Kind company car tax bills. The ID. Buzz isn’t liable for annual VED road tax until 2025, thanks to its zero-emissions electric powertrain, which will help keep running costs low.