Volkswagen ID. Buzz Review & Prices

The term ‘family bus’ may be casually applied to any large family car, but none wear that title quite as convincingly as the enormous Volkswagen ID Buzz. It offers head-turning looks, an enormous cabin and a quiet electric drive, but it’s very pricey and the infotainment system is annoying to use on the go.

Don’t let its boxy shape fool you, because much like a sumo wrestler, the car-based ID Buzz is just as agile and manoeuvrable as its seven-seater SUV alternatives in the Peugeot E-5008, Kia EV9, Volvo EX90 and Hyundai Ioniq 9. Its size puts it more on par with the Citroen e-Spacetourer and Volkswagen's diesel, petrol- or plug-in hybrid Multivan, while the Kia PV5 offers the same recipe in an even zanier shape.

The ID Buzz is a callback to a cult classic Volkswagen - the 1950s Type 2 Transporter, with its iconic two-tone paint and V-shaped front panel. Yet the slender headlights and taillights, sculpted front bumper and oversized badges look bang-up to date, and rather dashing. It will attract smiles up and down your local high street.

Range Test: Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback v Genesis GV60 v Mercedes EQA v Nissan Ariya v Tesla Model Y v Volkswagen ID Buzz

The interior, however, bears no resemblance to any historic Volkswagens. It looks upmarket with trim that loops around the dashboard which sits behind a 12.9-inch infotainment screen, plus a (much) smaller driver’s display, but material quality isn’t very high with a lot of scratchy plastics around the place.

It’s more noticeable in the Buzz than in the ID3, ID4 and ID7 because of just how much surface area there is to the lower dashboard and door cards. At least you can opt for lovely, light-coloured interior trim - unless you choose the top-dog GTX performance version.

But it’s the cabin space which impresses most in the ID Buzz, though that’s to be expected given its enormous, boxy silhouette and generous width. You sit far from your passenger, with double arm rests on both front seats, loads of leg room in the back and a capacious third row in six- and seven-seater models.

The five-seater has an enormous 1,121-litre boot, while the extra-capacity versions have 308 litres to fill, with all of the seats in place.

In five- or six-seat short-wheelbase guise the ID Buzz comes with a 79kWh battery for up to 254 miles, while the long-wheelbase seven-seater features a larger 86kWh item and up to 293 miles from a full charge.

Volkswagen ID Buzz: electric range, battery and charging data

Range: 253-293 miles
Efficiency: 2.9 - 3.2mi/kWh
Battery size: 79kWh, 86kWh
Max charge speed: 185kW, 200kW
Charge time AC: 8hrs 30min 0-100% 11kW (79kWh), 9hrs 0-100% 11kW (86kWh)
Charge time DC: 30mins, 20-80%, 160kW
Charge port location: Right side rear
Power outputs: 286hp, 340hp

You’d think a vehicle of this size would be tricky to drive in town, and in some ways you’d be right - especially if you frequent tight car parks - but it’s no trickier to manoeuvre than a Kia Sorento or Santa Fe. The tall seating position gives you a good view in traffic while standard-fit parking cameras help judge width restrictions.

Getting up to motorway speeds is no bother, especially in the brisk GTX version, but there’s plenty of wind noise from the upright front end and noticeable tyre roar on models equipped with larger wheels. There’s surprisingly little body lean on a country lane, but this is a car best suited to steady scenic routes, rather than a B-road blast.

Verdict

The Volkswagen ID Buzz is a stylish, desirable and practical choice of family car, but it doesn’t feel premium inside - even compared to the similarly-priced Kia EV9 or the cheaper Peugeot E-5008. It does have one thing going for it that no alternative can match, however, and that’s the sheer level of charm it exudes. You can’t help but to love it.

Check out the latest Volkswagen ID Buzz deals to get this funky MPV on your driveway, or ID Buzz lease deals instead. There are loads of used ID Buzz models to choose from through our trusted dealer network, as well as other used Volkswagens. Carwow can help you sell your car, too, when the time comes.

Starting at over £60,000 in Life trim, the ID Buzz isn’t cheap. There isn’t much in it between the various seat configurations for the various trim levels, that being said, as you’ll pay less than £1000 more for a long wheelbase seven-seater with the bigger battery fitted. The Style models have more standard kit, posher lights and bigger wheels for around £4,000 more than a respective Life version, while the GTX commands an £8,000 premium on account of its additional motor.

A Peugeot E-5008 starts at under £50,000 by comparison, though it isn’t as spacious inside, while a Kia EV9 offers a lot of room inside but the range kicks off at £66,000 - and it still can’t match the ID Buzz for all-out space or charm. Both models offer far greater range, that being said. If your priority is carrying lots of passengers in a boxy package, a van-based alternative such as the Citroen e-Spacetourer comes in well below £40,000, but without any of the Volkswagen’s charm or style.

The electric setup makes for peaceful and comfortable progression, but the rear-mounted motor isn’t the punchiest around

In town

There’s no hiding the fact the Buzz is a large car. Measuring almost five metres long and two metres wide, it’s almost as large as a Range Rover. But it only feels large on tight roads - especially through width restrictions - thanks to a turning circle of just 11.1 metres (11.8 metres in long-wheelbase models).

With large windows all around, you have excellent visibility with the well-sized wing mirrors helping further. You can get cameras with it to help further when manoeuvring in and out of parking spaces or tight streets. Being sat high up also helps massively. 

As it’s based on the same platform as the Volkswagen ID3 and ID4, the Buzz feels comfortable enough over bumps and cracks at slower speeds. The noise of the bumps will work around the cabin a little, but it’s not enough to ruin the experience. 

And while you get a ‘B’ mode to engage higher levels of brake regeneration while you’re driving, unfortunately it’s never fully one pedal driving, meaning you’ll need to apply the brake to come to a stop. 

On the motorway

The ID Buzz manages to remain quiet at higher speeds apart from some flutter around the wing mirrors. The suspension and well-cushioned seats also mean it remains comfortable over longer journeys, with plenty of space for passengers to stretch out.

That being said, the GTX does spoil things a bit thanks to its enormous wheels and sportier suspension than the regular versions. It transmits a noticeable amount of road noise into the echoey cabin, so you’ll raise your voice to talk to passengers.

But as is the main flaw with electric cars on long journeys, the efficiency of the Buzz does suffer at higher speeds, meaning forward planning on trips further afield is definitely required, especially as the range isn’t up with the best EVs to start with.

Also getting up to speed can be a little sluggish. The rear-mounted motor does offer enough punch in town to get you going, but on a motorway it doesn’t get you up to speed with the same vigour - unless you’re in the more powerful GTX.

You can get it with adaptive cruise control with distance control to take any strain out of long drives, while lane keep assist and brake assist are also included for further assistance.

On a twisty road

With it being more of a van than anything else, don’t expect the sportiest driving experience. It does have a sport mode, but it doesn’t change the character of the Buzz all that much. It’s got slightly sharper responsiveness and heavier steering, but it’s not that sporty really.

Thanks to the batteries mounted under the floor, reducing the centre of gravity body lean is far better contained than from most vans. The steering is less vague than you might expect and it grips the road well, so making quicker progress isn’t too difficult.

The GTX remedies this a touch with even less body lean thanks to its sportier suspension and the added confidence of four-wheel drive, so while it may not be fun to drive in the way a hot hatchback is, there’s a strange joy to carrying speed on a winding road in such a tall, boxy car.

Not as flexible as a proper MPV, but plenty of room to spare and a choice of three seating layouts

The front of the ID Buzz is very roomy indeed. There’s a totally flat floor and no fixed centre console, so you can easily step in from either side of the vehicle and slide across to your seat - that’s fantastic if you’re parked in a really tight spot, for example.

Storage solutions are ample. There are multi-level door bins, and slots on the dashboard to store smaller items, plus a hidden wireless charger that keeps your phone at hand but out of sight and temptation. Two cupholders fold down from the centre, while the sliding centre console has adaptable storage for more drinks or other small items.

The seats have tons of adjustment - exceptionally tall drivers will love the ID Buzz, as the driver’s seat goes so far back that even our 6’3 road tester couldn’t reach the pedals. It can feel a little disconcerting looking out, though - the windscreen is so far ahead that it feels a bit like you’re seeing through a tunnel.

Space in the back seats

There are three distinct layouts for the rear seats, each with their pros and cons. The five-seater version comes on the short-wheelbase Buzz, and gives you the biggest boot space behind it. The seats have loads of room, but they’re not particularly flexible - it’s just a regular bench seat like you get in a Golf. You don’t even get a fold-down centre armrest, though there are fold-out tables on the front seatbacks plus USB-C charging ports in the door pockets.

You can also get a six-seater layout on the short-wheelbase model. This has two captain’s chairs in the middle row, which are much more comfortable, and a further two seats in the rear. The third row is a little snug, but adults can still fit back there, and access is easy through the big sliding doors.

For maximum passenger space, you’ll want the long-wheelbase seven-seat model, with the same three-seat centre bench as the five-seater plus two extra rear seats. Do note, though, that if you’re parked up and charging, you can only get in one side - the charge port actually blocks the door on that side of the vehicle from opening, which is superbly annoying.

Boot space

You get a mammoth boot space in the ID Buzz no matter which version you go for. There’s a board that divides the load area, with drawer-style storage units underneath, ideal for charging cables, first aid kits or other items that you don’t use frequently. You can then use the surface on top of the board as a normal boot.

Fold the seats down and you get almost moving-van levels of practicality, but it’s still not quite as useful as something like a Ford Tourneo Custom with the seats removed, or even Volkswagen’s own Multivan. The seats can also be a bit awkward to fold down or move around - you get a slicker experience with a seven-seater SUV like the Peugeot E-5008.

The cute styling from the exterior continues to the cabin and is combined with lots of space, but the Volkswagen infotainment system issues from other models remain

Being one of the ID family, the styling of the Buzz’s cabin is very similar to Volkswagen’s ID3, ID4 and ID5. But by being a taller car, the Buzz has much more space. With the large windows and high seating position paired to the optional two-tone interior to match the exterior colour, there’s a lot of light coming in.

Although the standard cabin is an all-black finish, which works better with the Cargo van version, the two-tone interior comes with a wood effect finish across the dash to add extra character. Ambient lighting also helps add further character, but it’s a shame the GTX can only be had with the all-black finish. Boo.

As it’s a van though, there’s a lot of straight lines and open space as you head into the back, and the wide windows help to let even more light in. You’ll make good use of the air-conditioning, though - in short-wheelbase models, none of the rear windows open, and even in the seven-seater you just get a pair of little hatches in the second row.

You get a huge 12.9-inch infotainment display as standard, which is far better to use than the earlier models’ 10.0- and 12.0-inch units, but the menus are still a pain to navigate and the touch-sensitive climate control sliders are a nuisance to use on the go.

Many of you will be wanting to know if you can turn this into a campervan, and with the help of the optional load floor in the boot, you theoretically can make it into a flat sleeping area. A couple of third-party companies have created conversions, but Volkswagen doesn’t sell a full-blown California version just yet.

A 79kWh battery comes as standard on five- and six-seater ID Buzz models, which offers up to 282 miles of range in rear-wheel drive models. Six-seaters have an optional 86kWh battery which increases range to 293 miles, and it comes as standard in the seven-seater.

The GTX models feature the same batteries but with less range on account of the extra electric motor at the front, meaning 251 or 282 miles with the smaller and larger battery, respectively. You’ll struggle to see that in the real world, however, in our testing the ID Buzz wouldn’t reach a higher efficiency than 2.2mi/kWh, meaning 189 miles of range. Ouch.

With a charging rate of 185kW the ID Buzz makes for quick stops on the motorway, topping up from 10-80% in 26-30 minutes depending on the battery fitted.

All ID Buzz versions are pricey enough to be subject to the luxury car supplement from years two-to-six, but being all-electric means they sit in the lowest bracket of first-year road tax. Company car drivers with large families could consider an ID Buzz, as all versions are in the lowest band of Benefit-in-Kind duty, too.

Volkswagen ID Buzz Euro NCAP (2022): 5/5

Adult occupant: 92%
Child occupant: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 60%
Safety assist: 90%

You want your family car to be secure, and the ID. Buzz is one of the safest cars you can buy. On Euro NCAP tests, the Buzz scored five stars thanks to impressive results in adult occupant and safety assists. The child occupant rating was also excellent, furthering the Buzz’s family safety credentials. 

The safety assist systems as standard include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane assist and road sign display, while you can also get dynamic light assist with matrix LED headlights.

Volkswagen came 27th out of 31 brands entered into the 2025 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, which is a poor result for a legacy brand with such a strong heritage. In terms of warranty, you get three years/100,000 miles from new – with the battery warranty being eight years/100,000 miles.

That’s better than Peugeot's three-year, 60,000-mile warranty on the E-5008 but doesn’t stack up well against the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and its five-year, unlimited-mile warranty or the Kia EV9’s seven-year, 100,000-mile cover.