Skip advert
Advertisement

New Volkswagen ID. Buzz 2022 review

We deliver our verdict on the much-hyped retro-inspired Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric family car

Overall Auto Express rating

4.5

How we review cars
Find your Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Verdict

It’s frankly hard to see how any vehicle could live up to this much hype, but we’re pleased to report that the Volkswagen ID. Buzz has indeed been worth the wait. It’s not quite as practical as its van-based rivals, admittedly, but it trumps the myriad SUVs it competes with when it comes to space and family-friendly features. It’ll sell on image alone, but beneath the retro styling and functional cabin, there’s a really capable, compelling EV. Only the high price counts against it.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There can’t be many new cars or vans launched in the past 12 months that have been met with as much fanfare as the all-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz. It already has a cult following, despite the fact that first deliveries aren’t due until November. Now it’s time to decide if this really is the electric minivan that we’ve all been waiting for.

First things first, the price: this isn’t a cheap family car. Prices for the Life version start at £57,115, rising to £61,915 for the better-equipped Style on which our Euro-spec test model is based.

So what do you get for your money? The ID. Buzz Life comes with 19-inch wheels, a 10-inch infotainment display with navigation, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a reversing camera, heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Eclipse Cross

2020 Mitsubishi

Eclipse Cross

41,300 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £12,450
View Eclipse Cross
C3 Origin

2022 Citroen

C3 Origin

35,784 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £9,600
View C3 Origin
Civic

2021 Honda

Civic

56,000 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £12,500
View Civic
3 Series

2022 BMW

3 Series

39,979 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £18,000
View 3 Series

Clever touches such as a USB slot in the passenger door, a hidden wireless phone charging pocket on the dash and the totally flat floor really make the ID. Buzz feel like a vehicle that has been designed with thought. You can even add a three-pin plug underneath the front passenger seat.

No matter which version you go for, Volkswagen claims a WLTP range of more than 250 miles. On our test in warm conditions, we were seeing almost exactly 3.0mi/kWh, which translates to a real-world range of 231 miles.

Advertisement - Article continues below

VW claims a maximum 170kW charge speed at a suitable public charger, too, which is good for a 5-80 per cent top-up in around 30 minutes. A 7kW home wallbox should return a full charge in 11 hours.

The cabin feels roomy wherever you’re sat. The two front seats (three in the cheaper Cargo panel van) offer almost armchair-like comfort. The sliding rear doors are a boon in tight spaces, but you don’t get three individual seats like you do in the Citroen SpaceTourer, and only the two outer chairs have Isofix child seat brackets.

With the seats removed, the ID. Buzz has a simply cavernous load bay, but even with five passengers, the ID. Buzz’s boot measures 1,121 litres – more than double what you’ll find in a BMW iX3 – and if you fold down the middle row the VW boasts a total capacity of 2,205 litres. You’ll need to spec the clever raised floor in order to benefit from a flat load area, but this does also give you a space beneath to store the charging cables.

The battery is mounted along the floor, so the centre of gravity is low, while the rear-mounted motor frees up space over the front axle, while improving handling. Body control is fantastic for a vehicle of this kind, and the steering is direct and well weighted. We’d prefer the brake energy recuperation to be a bit stronger, but it’s the same set-up that’s in the ID.3 and ID.4.

The 0-62mph dash takes 10.2 seconds, but the VW feels more alert than this, due to its smooth transmission and the instant torque from the 201bhp electric motor. While it feels fast enough for daily use, we weren’t able to try the car fully loaded.

Regardless, the ID. Buzz is very refined for such a bluff-fronted vehicle, and while it’s perhaps a little firm around town, it doesn’t crash through potholes or over broken roads. You’ll find it strikes a really favourable rhythm at higher speeds, too.

There’s very little wind and road noise, and the ID. Buzz is free from any of those characteristic shakes and rattles you might find on passenger cars converted from commercial vehicles. The Cargo van echoes slightly with an empty load bay, but it’s no deal breaker; existing Ford Transit Custom or VW Transporter owners won’t find this cause for concern.

Model:Volkswagen ID. Buzz 77kWh Pro Style SWB
Price:£61,915
Powertrain:77kWh battery, 1x e-motor
Power/torque:201bhp/310Nm
Transmission:Single-speed auto, rear-wheel drive 
0-62mph:10.2 seconds
Top speed:90mph
Range:255 miles
Max. charging:170kW, 5-80% in 30 min
On sale:Now
Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

New & used car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,607 off RRP*Used from £15,644
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £11,595
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,161 off RRP*
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,575Avg. savings £2,614 off RRP*Used from £7,850
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term test: chic supermini comes with its own back-seat driver
Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term - front with Alpine

Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five long-term test: chic supermini comes with its own back-seat driver

Long-term tests
28 Aug 2025
Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB long-term test: does our EV need an exorcist?
Auto Express head of digital content Steve Walker dressed as a ghost while standing in the Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB

Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB long-term test: does our EV need an exorcist?

Long-term tests
27 Aug 2025
Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: smooth, spacious and stress-free until the end
Volvo EC40 Plus long-term - header

Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: smooth, spacious and stress-free until the end

Long-term tests
21 Aug 2025

Most Popular

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years
MG Cyber X design render - front

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years

Boxy small SUV is gearing up for production, and our exclusive images show how the model might look
News
30 Aug 2025
New BMW i1 will cram big EV tech into a small package
BMW 1 Series render - front

New BMW i1 will cram big EV tech into a small package

The all-new BMW i1 will rival the all-electric Audi A3 and new Mercedes CLA when it arrives in 2027
News
28 Aug 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month

The Renault 5 is taking the market by storm – and at this price it’s easy to see why. It’s our Deal of the Day for August 30
News
30 Aug 2025