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

iX3

2024 BMW

iX3

32,015 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £25,600
View iX3
Q8

2019 Audi

Q8

52,583 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L

Cash £31,497
View Q8
C5 Aircross

2021 Citroen

C5 Aircross

40,390 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £15,476
View C5 Aircross
DS 7 CROSSBACK

2021 DS

DS 7 CROSSBACK

52,552 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £15,197
View DS 7 CROSSBACK

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

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,541 off RRP*Used from £12,599
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,158 off RRP*
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £16,100
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,495
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: this oldie is still a goldie
Volvo EC40 Plus long-term - header

Volvo EC40 Plus long-term test: this oldie is still a goldie

Long-term tests
18 Jul 2025
Mercedes CLA review
Mercedes CLA with EQ Technology - front

Mercedes CLA review

In-depth reviews
16 Jul 2025
New Skoda Enyaq vRS 2025 review: Czech-mated by its own sibling
Skoda Enyaq vRS - front tracking

New Skoda Enyaq vRS 2025 review: Czech-mated by its own sibling

Road tests
16 Jul 2025

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
Electric Car Grant in detail: Which cars will get the UK EV discount?
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

Electric Car Grant in detail: Which cars will get the UK EV discount?

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 Electric Car Grant for new EVs sold under £3…
News
18 Jul 2025
Electric Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake will keep going long after rivals need to stop
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake - front action

Electric Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake will keep going long after rivals need to stop

The second of Merc’s new-era EVs is here in the form of an attractive estate with a huge range
News
14 Jul 2025