A Mix Of Past And Present
The long-awaited electric version of the 20th-century microbus finally made it to North America, and folks couldn’t be more excited about it. The ID. Buzz is all the rage among many different communities, from those with large families to folks who love camping, to someone who is interested in exploring the road life. Volkswagen has also really tricked this van out, creating a space that matches the groovy vibes of the 1960s, while still keeping it modern for today’s audience. If you want to learn more about the ID Buzz, read on.
1. Electric Stats
Being a fully electric vehicle, we need to know how “fuel-efficient” this bus is. Volkswagen says that the ID. Buzz can charge between 10 and 80% in under a half hour, and can reach a range of 370-380 km (230-236 mi) on a full charge.
2. IQ. Drive
The Buzz comes equipped with the standard safety assistance features you commonly see in newer vehicles. Travel assist, emergency braking, and blind spot monitor, light assist, and park assist are all features included in the ID. Buzz.
3. Connected Services
With the myVW+ app, you’re able to remotely lock and unlock your vehicle, control the car’s interior climate, receive automatic crash notifications, and schedule any needed services. The app also has a digital owner's manual about your specific model, just in case.
4. The First Edition
The ID Buzz’s first edition includes 7 seats, a high-voltage battery with a gross kWh output of 91, a 210kW 282 HP electric motor, power-sliding doors, rear-wheel drive, and foldable second- and third-row seats for easy access to the back of the vehicle.
5. The 4MOTION Edition
A slight variation of the first edition, 4MOTION contains all of the same battery and motor components. However, this car comes with dual-motor all-wheel drive and has 6 seats instead of 7.
6. Quiet Cabin
Thanks to modern engineering, the ID. Buzz has a quiet cabin even in the busiest of areas. You’ll no longer be distracted by sounds in your surroundings, allowing you to keep a calm, cool head as you drive.
7. Color Options
The ID. Buzz comes in several color options. You have your basics, like black, grey, silver, and blue charcoal, but you also have sky blue, bright orange, neon yellow, and vibrant green colors. However, the more colorful palette is reserved for the 4MOTION Buzz.
8. Regenerative Breaking
Like most hybrid or fully-electric vehicles, the ID. Buzz comes with regenerative braking. This means the car will convert braking energy into battery power, giving you a little bit of extra juice as you drive.
9. Heating
The ID. Buzz comes with a standard heat pump, which is said to take less power from the car’s battery. This not only allows your van to have more effective, energy-efficient interior heating, but it won’t take too much away from your car’s range.
10. Elevated Seating, Elevated Visibility
The ID. Buzz is the very first vehicle in the Volkswagen family to have such high driver’s seat elevation. This gives you better visual control of your surroundings, and also allows you to see better through the van’s near-360-degree window design.
11. Music Pedals
No, we don’t mean like you’re playing a percussion instrument. The ID. Buzz has adorable play and pause symbols on the acceleration and brake pedals. This adorable addition only plays into the van’s homage to its original 60s design.
12. Buzz Box
The centre console on the Buzz is not only fully removable, but also has multiple mounting points. It can stay up front, be put between the second row (six-seater models only), or go in the trunk for more organized storage. The buzz box also contains a bottle opener and an ice scraper.
13. Glass Roof
You can’t have a van like this and not give it a glass roof! Volkswagen gave the ID. Buzz the best of both worlds, creating a panoramic glass roof that can turn opaque with the touch of a button. This also provides better UV rays and heat protection and gives you more privacy.
14. IDA
The ID. Buzz comes with IDA, the company’s personal voice assistant. With IDA, you can find car charging stations, make a call, set up a route, adjust the car’s temperature, and so much more.
15. Exterior Tech
The vans all come with power-sliding doors, power-sliding windows, and ambient lighting around the sides and back of the vehicle. While it's not technically exterior, the vans also come equipped with auto-dimming mirrors to avoid any glare from powerful headlights.
16. Moveable Chairs
While the van’s trunk makes for easy storage, you do have the ability to completely remove the van’s third row of seats. The chairs are said to be a little heavy, but they will give you ample storage space for a family of 4.
Janosch Diggelmann on Unsplash
17. The Front Seats
The ID. Buzz’s front seats are known as “comfort seats,” and they’ll prove to you why. Finished in the leather of your choosing, the seats have heating options, as well as a massage function to keep you nice and relaxed. For even more luxury, the steering wheel is also heated.
18. Interior
The Buzz’s interior comes in several color options, from white to brown to copper, deep door pockets, rubber-lined shelving on the dashboard, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, and customizable interior lighting, among many other items.
19. It’s Pricy
For United States residents, the first edition Buzz will cost you over $60,000, which will only go up as you look into more expensive models. Canadians are looking to pay a minimum of $77,000 for a brand-new van.
20. True Nostalgia
If you’re a lover of all things vintage, one thing among reviews rings true: the ID. Buzz is an excellent homage to the Volkswagen minivans of the past. The van expertly balances a vintage feel with all the modern fixings.
