2024 Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Just as America had to wait a long time to get its hands on the latest Volkswagen Golf GTI after the hatchback arrived in Europe, it's taken a while for the US-spec ID. Buzz electric minivan to be revealed. For North America, the ID. Buzz arrives in three-row, long-wheelbase form only, so its cargo-carrying capabilities are enhanced while also being able to carry more people than the two-row version sold overseas. Besides that, it comes with more horsepower and a larger battery, once again pandering to the needs of customers in this part of the world. Whether the cheerful VW can lure buyers away from more rugged three-row electric SUVs like the upcoming Kia EV9 remains to be seen, but as a thoroughly modern successor to the original VW Bus, the nostalgia may be too hard to resist.

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Without specifying a specific date, the manufacturer has only said that the release date for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz in the USA will be sometime in 2024. It will like be coming out as a 2024 model, but delays may see it become a MY25 vehicle.

The price of the 2024 Volkswagen ID. Buzz has not been revealed yet. In the UK, the ID. Buzz starts at around £59,000, which translates to a hefty $73,000 at current rates. However, US pricing is always more competitive that European pricing, and even with the US-spec having the larger battery and longer wheelbase, we expect it to cost less than $70,000 MSRP; the dual-motor model will be even more. That's still a lot of money.

There aren't any other electric minivans for sale in the USA, so direct rivals are lacking, but customers are likely to compare the ID. Buzz with other three-row electric SUVs like the upcoming Kia EV9. Mercedes is set to release a new range of electric vans in 2026, but these will likely be even more luxurious and expensive than the VW.

To say that the Volkswagen ID. Buzz has a cheerful exterior is putting it mildly. While every automaker tries to give even the most docile family movers a macho appearance, VW has gone in the other direction for the ID. Buzz - and that is entirely intentional.

With its longer wheelbase, America's version is almost 10 inches longer than the two-row model sold overseas, but the short overhangs that have always been a feature of VW's Bus are still there. The oversized VW logos at either end of the body, available two-tone paint, and stylish wheel designs create a lovable overall look, but with clear ties to other members of the ID. family. The front logo is illuminated and links up to the LED headlights, and while the front fascia is rounded, the rest of the van is boxy and uncluttered to maximize practicality. The 20-inch wheels are aerodynamically optimized. Retro-inspired details like the "vents" on the D-pillar are reminiscent of the rear-engine cooling slots on the original Bus.

The exterior of the ID. Buzz is also equipped with user-friendly features that cater to the needs of families. A power tailgate with Easy Open and Close comes as standard, with a foot-activated open/close function. It also has proximity unlocking, keyless entry, and illuminated door handles in front. Dual power-sliding rear doors, also with an Easy Open and Close function, make ingress and egress simple.

The ID. Buzz has a sunroof that is 67.4 inches long and 40.8 inches wide, which is the largest sunroof equipped to any model in the Volkswagen Group.

Colors for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz include Energetic Orange, Pomelo Yellow, and Mahi Green, along with brand-new hues like Metro Silver, Indium Grey, and Cabana Blue. This is a refreshing palette relative to what's available for the ID.4.

As mentioned, the dimensions of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz in the USA have increased over Europe's version. This pertains primarily to its length of 192.4 inches, almost 10 inches longer than the two-row version. Its wheelbase has also grown to 127.5 inches, up from 117.6 inches for the two-row model. At 77.9 inches in width, it's approximately as wide as the Atlas, but its height of 74.6 inches is about five inches more than the Atlas.

For now, VW has not indicated what the curb weight of this larger ID. Buzz is, but the UK version comes in at a minimum of 5,480 pounds, including the driver. We would not be surprised if the US-spec model weighs around 5,800 lbs.

It may have a rear-mounted power plant like the original Bus, but that's where the similarities begin and end. The powertrain in the new Volkswagen ID. Buzz minivan starts with the single-motor rear-wheel-drive model that produces 282 horsepower. VW quotes a substantial peak torque output of 406 lb-ft.

While 0-60 mph times aren't critical for a vehicle like this, the ID. Buzz does have a top speed of 99 mph, nine more than the two-row variant. A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive model with "about 330 hp" will also be available at launch, and this should return zippy performance.

VW promises "great traction, performance, and agility" for the new ID. Buzz. Its skateboard design with the battery mounted in the floor lowers the van's center of gravity and contributes to better handling. Like other MEB-based vehicles, this one also has a multi-link rear suspension.

Compared to the two-row model sold elsewhere in the world, the ID. Buzz has a bigger 91-kWh battery to cope with its larger size and greater weight. VW declined to mention official MPGe and range ratings for this US-spec model, but the two-row version with the smaller battery can go 258 miles on a full charge as per the WLTP standard. However, the US-spec model gets a new generation of motor. Not only is it more powerful, but may be more efficient too.

Based on the more conservative EPA standard, and even with its larger battery, we don't expect the ID. Buzz to travel much more than 250 miles on a full charge.

Maximum charging speeds haven't been published either, but it'll probably match the 170-kW maximum DC fast charging of the ID.4. An 11-kW AC onboard charger is likely to be included as well.

America's VW ID. Buzz has a highly practical interior with standard seating for seven occupants across three rows, or seating for six if the second-row captain's chairs are specified. Cargo space specs for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz haven't been specified, but we do know that the second and third rows can fold flat. In fact, the third seating row can be removed entirely for expensive packing space for five occupants, and customers can opt for a Flexboard with dual fabric storage bins that create a perfectly flat floor.

The seats in the Volkswagen ID. Buzz are the first sign that this minivan is equipped to a high standard. Even the base model has 12-way power front seats with dual armrests, massage, memory, and ventilation. Seat heating is standard in each of the first two rows, while the standard Climatronic automatic climate control system keeps everyone comfortable. Even passengers in the third row have dedicated ventilation outlets, and the second and third rows have tinted privacy windows.

Second-row seats can be folded in a 60/40 split, and these seat backs can be raked at up to 16 degrees. This bench can also be moved fore and aft by nearly eight inches, and by simply touching the handle, it will move forward by four inches to allow passengers to easily access the third row. Small-item storage includes a removable center console with dividers that can also be used as an ice scraper or bottle opener.

It's clear, then, that the ID. Buzz is a highly practical vehicle, but it's also equipped with all the latest connectivity equipment. That includes a 12.9-inch center infotainment display and a 5.3-inch ID. Cockpit behind the steering wheel. Wireless App-Connect, wireless charging, and a 110V outlet are all standard. There are more USB-C ports than there are seats at eight, so there should be no complaints about not being able to plug in devices.

What may elicit some complaints from the driver are the touch sliders for the volume and temperature controls. VW says that "immediate access" to the climate controls at the bottom of the infotainment screen improves ease of use, but we would prefer physical controls.

In keeping with the youthful exterior, the ID. Buzz comes with some fun features inside, like the Play and Pause pedals from the 2016 BUZZ concept. Various Buzz easter eggs are dotted around the cabin. The ambient lighting system has 30 colors to choose from, and there are some unique trim colors and materials. You can have a dark brown and black pairing for the leatherette seats, complete with white piping, plus blue door inserts and a dark wood-look dashboard. The second color scheme is light gray and clay with grey leatherette, clay piping, clay door inserts, a light wood dash, and light grey decor. Finally, there are light brown leatherette seats with yellow piping combined with light grey door inserts and a washed wood-look dash.

Another high-tech feature is the ID.Light system that consists of a light strip under the windshield. More than just good to look at, the system uses different light pulses to communicate things like incoming phone calls, readiness to drive, navigation turn instructions, and brake prompts from the driver-assistance systems. It is also linked to the various voice-activated functions.

Speaking of driver-assistance systems, the ID. Buzz will come with the brand's IQ-DRIVE hands-on Level 2 system as standard, with convenient lane centering and a capacitive steering wheel when out on the highway. In town, the system can alert the driver to nearby obstacles. Road sign display is standard, while optional equipment includes a head-up display, park assist with remote parking, and Area View.