What’s the Buzz? A Worthy EV Successor to the VW Bus

When it comes to designing iconic vehicles, few brands can match the track record of Volkswagen. VW has introduced arguably two of the auto industry’s most recognizable—and beloved—vehicles in the Volkswagen Beetle and Bus. With their playful mix of odd-ball design, reliable performance, and affordability, the Beetle and Bus have become pop culture phenomenons in the decades since their debut. From the paisley-filled streets of San Francisco to the stalled traffic outside of Woodstock, there’s no denying the lasting impact of these two trailblazing models—but the industry has largely moved on since the heady days when the Beetle and Bus took the world by storm. Consumers have become steadily more eco-conscious over the years, making boxy, gas-guzzling models like the Bus a thing of the past… but there’s a sign of hope on the horizon.

Hitting American shores in 2024, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is something new in the world of electric vehicles (EVs): a three-row electric van designed with families in mind. The van segment has been on the decline for decades, with SUVs gobbling up much of the market share, but the ID. Buzz is here to make vans fun again—not to mention stylish—with a bold two-tone design that harkens back to the original VW Bus. This van’s name suggests two things: first, the ID. Buzz will pick up right where the Bus left off, providing a quirky, family-friendly ride while making some important upgrades that bring it firmly into the modern era; second, automakers just can’t resist a good EV pun. Technically speaking, the ID. Buzz might not be the first electrified van on the market, but many of the other offerings are more focused on the commercial sector rather than the average driver and their family. If you’re searching the state for a Washington VW ID. Buzz for sale, you’ll have to wait until summer 2024, but in the meantime, let’s see what this electrifying new VW van has to offer…

The Basics

Volkswagen first teased the ID. Buzz in 2017, showcasing a concept version at auto shows in both Detroit and Geneva. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, leading VW to release a full production version in Europe for the 2023 model year. Now it’s America’s turn: the ID. Buzz is slated to arrive at US Volkswagen dealerships in June 2024.

Built on the VW Modular E-Antriebs Baukasten (MEB) or “modular electric-drive toolkit,” the ID. Buzz is the fifth entry in the automaker’s new “ID.” series of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) alongside models like the ID.4 crossover and ID.3 hatchback. In Europe, the ID. Buzz comes in two distinct forms: a five-seat passenger van and a cargo van aimed at the commercial sector. The US version of the ID. Buzz will be a good deal roomier than the European model, featuring an extended wheelbase and gaining an entire row of seating with room for up to seven passengers.

Performance

The ID. Buzz is powered by a 91-kWh battery pack paired with one of two motor configurations: a rear-wheel drive version with one motor and an all-wheel drive model that adds another motor to the mix. Those behind the wheel of the single-motor version will have 286 hp to play with, while the AWD version ups the ponies to an impressive 339. Both versions are more powerful than their European equivalents, though the EV’s speed is capped at an electronically-limited 99 mph.

When it comes to range, the ID. Buzz is no slouch, especially for a vehicle of its size and less-than-aerodynamic design. Specific figures haven’t been released, but estimates hover around 260 miles of range per charge, with DC Fast-Charging capability allowing this van to juice up from 10% to 80% in just a half-hour. Under normal circumstances, the ID. Buzz’s 91-kWh battery pack should last the life of the vehicle, but given how many original VW Buses you see on the road today, we expect some drivers to challenge this claim. Regardless, you’ll be covered for the first eight years or 100,000 miles of driving, thanks to the comprehensive warranty on the van’s battery components.

Dimensions

Whether you’re looking for more room for passengers or cargo, space isn’t hard to come by when you’re riding in the ID. Buzz. This roomy van can accommodate up to 87.2 cu.ft. of cargo with the back rows folded, and it features a sliding side door that’s 7.6 inches longer than the European version to allow for easier access to the back row. This marks an obvious improvement over the European model and makes the ID. Buzz a full two feet longer than the original VW Bus.

This spacious cabin is made possible thanks in part to the ID. Buzz’s unique EV architecture. Whereas the old VW Bus had to accommodate a bulky engine in the back and a driveshaft running the length of the vehicle, the MEB platform makes these design constraints a thing of the past. The result? Enough room for the whole family, plus any pets, sports equipment, camping gear, or supplies you might want to take along on your next family vacation. VW has yet to release specific interior dimensions, but the early reviews make it sound like the ID. Buzz will have ample headroom and legroom for even the lankiest of passengers.

Interior

From funky paint jobs to curtains, fuzzy dice, and roof racks for surfboards, the VW Bus developed quite the reputation for customization over the long run. The ID. Buzz is no different, giving drivers and passengers plenty of fun accessories and opportunities to make it their own. Take the removable center console, for example: this clever little storage space can be helpful on your daily commute, but if you’re looking to maximize room or make for easy access to the back rows, it’s easy to pop out at a moment’s notice. The electric van also features ambient lighting throughout; this, too, can be adjusted to fit your style or mood. Even the cargo area floor can be adjusted, giving drivers the ability to morph their van around their cargo needs.

The fun-centric approach to design at VW has always led to some fun creature features—like the flower holder in the 2000s-era Beetle—and the ID. Buzz is no exception. Its front seats contain tables that can fold down, giving second-row passengers a handy work surface while on the go. The first row will enjoy massaging seats, a 10.0-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The rest of the tech details remain hazy for now, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even a potential rear-seat entertainment system. The van is expected to carry the usual assortment of advanced safety features, as well as some novel advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like the VW Car2X local warning system, which notifies the drivers of hazards in real time. Keeping with the ID. Buzz’s eco-friendly nature, all the seating surfaces are made from recycled plastic, including 10% diverted ocean-bound plastic.

The New VW Bus: The ID. Buzz

As the EV segment matures, it’s interesting to see all the new automotive creations rolling off the assembly lines. While early EVs stuck to a familiar, somewhat boring formula that put aerodynamics and efficiency above all else, automakers now seem to be having a little more fun with the segment, producing electrified pickups, sports cars, motorcycles, and now even vans. The ID. Buzz’s MEB platform allows for plenty of space, and the van’s penchant for customization is a thoughtful nod to the model’s individualistic spirit. Drivers have long awaited the return of the original VW Bus, and while the gas-powered model might be gone for good, the ID. Buzz is here to carry the mantle. VW has managed to deliver something entirely modern and original while paying homage to the brand’s past, melding the two eras in a way that’s sure to resonate with drivers of all stripes.