A BETTER BUZZ (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Volkswagen's most topical EV, the ID.Buzz People Carrier, is a better bet in this lengthier 7-seat form. Jonathan Crouch briefs you on it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 33

Volkswagen's ID.Buzz gets a longer body shape able to seat up to seven. Plus longer operating range and some useful cabin updates. Otherwise, it's the fashionable MPV electric trend set it always was.

Backgroundword count: 136

At its original 2022 launch, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz was something of a curiosity. It stood out with its retro-trendy looks. But you couldn't help thinking how much better the car would be with extra cabin space, a little more EV driving range and a few of the infotainment system quirks ironed out. Turns out Volkswagen thought so too because all those things were attended to as part of a far-reaching mid-2024 update that's brought us a wider model range and, specifically, the extra long wheelbase 7-seat model we look at here. So much more versatile is this lengthier Buzz that it's hard to now see why you'd choose the original short wheelbase two seating-row version of this model (which continues), particularly given the small price differential between the two body shapes. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 325

There were quite a lot of engineering changes as part of the mid-2024 Buzz update. All 2WD rear-driven models now get a gutsier 286PS motor (up from 204PS before). And there's Volkswagen's more up-to-date battery technology, the SWB 5-seat model changing its original 77kWh unit for a 79kWh battery (which boosts range from 258 miles to as much as 291 miles). And the LWB 7-seat variant getting a bigger 86kWh battery borrowed from the ID.7 (capable of up to 277 miles). Opt for the LWB body shape and you can also now have a Dual Motor ID.Buzz in the shape of the sportier GTX version, which has two electric motors providing four-wheel drive and a combined output of 340PS, which means 62mph in just 6.1s. The rear-driven 286PS model needs between 7.6s and 7.9s for the same increment, depending on body shape; which is around two and a half seconds quicker than the original. Silent running was never a feature of the old chugging rear-engined, rear-driven Volkswagen Type 2 but of course the all-electric ID. Buzz is very different. As usual with an electric vehicle, torque feels instant (there's 560Nm of it) and drive comes via the usual EV fixed-ratio single-speed auto gearbox en route to the very modest top speed of 99mph: at last, something owners of the old Sixties Type 2 'bus will properly recognise. Towing weights are rated at 1,600kg for the LWB and 1,800kg for the LWB GTX. As before, you sit commandingly, using a drive selector stalk on the right of the steering wheel. The multi-link rear suspension set-up can be had with DCC adaptive damping. And there's a tight 11-metres turning circle (a metre better than VW's combustion alternative, the Multivan), which along with the glassy cabin should make the Buzz feel very manoeuvrable in town. All the usual VW drive assist features are available - Matrix headlights, 'car2x' swarm informational technology and the 'Travel Assist' semi-autonomous drive system.

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