The Volkswagen ID.Buzz is the historical successor to the Kombi van. And while it’s looks are very contemporary, it has much of what made the original vehicle good. It is practical and pleasant to drive, while double electric sliding doors make for brilliant accessibility. There are no downsides to choosing it over a typical SUV.
The interior is a highlight of functionality. The GTX model features excellent seats with Alcantara sides, extending to all seven seats. With a four-wheel-drive system, there is no transmission tunnel, creating a useful flat floor in the back. It is full of well-designed spaces; you could fit a family of five plus three neighbours and still have room for groceries. Better yet, fold down or remove the back seats, and a family of five can go camping. Electric doors on both sides make loading people and parcels easy and can be activated or disabled from the driver’s position. The interior surfaces are good, with little reflective material, and seven USB-C slots are spread around the cabin.
Technology is well-integrated. The heads-up display is good, while the driver’s display is compact and functional. A high-quality, bright center display is within the driver’s reach, and the media controls on the steering wheel make life easy. The physical touch controls for the air conditioning and volume on the center console work well. In an attractive design touch, a clever warning light sits just below the windscreen that you don’t notice until you need it.
The driving experience puts a smile on your face. Visibility is excellent for navigating a busy road or a tight car park, and its length is comparable to an E-Class Mercedes, so it feels manageable. Pickup is excellent with its available torque, making it ideal for a delivery vehicle around town. It handles well and the steering lock is good. I drove it in ‘B’ mode to improve the brake feel, and while it is not quite one-pedal driving, the engine braking mode is effective. Performance is spritely : the Buzz features up to 250Kw with a gobsmacking 694 Nm torge – exactly what you want for a big load. On a full charge of the 91 Kwh battery, the car indicated a 390 km range. I did a return trip to Whangarei to the Hundertwasser Gallery. This used most of the battery yet I was confident in the displayed range and it was no problem. When I arrived home I just plugged it into the wall with the supplied charger.
From a practicality and convenience standpoint, the ID. Buzz is a worthy Kombi successor with it’s cute looks and blinking headlights adding to the fun and practicality. With a tow bar, excellent stereo, heated wing mirrors, and much more, it is a thoughtfully equipped vehicle. I would drive this as my family car in a heartbeat.
