TESTED: VOLKSWAGEN ID. BUZZ | DOES THIS RETRO ELECTRIC MINIVAN LIVE UP TO ITS LOOKS?

EV Channels Review

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is presented as a highly anticipated electric minivan, aiming to blend retro styling with modern EV practicality. Edmunds' testing reveals it excels in interior spaciousness, offering impressive headroom and legroom in all rows, particularly a massive third row that surpasses competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia EV9. Its unique tall design facilitates easy ingress and egress. Performance is strong, with the all-wheel-drive Pro S trim achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Real-world range reached 263 miles, exceeding its EPA estimate but falling short of other three-row electric SUVs. Positives include versatile charging options and easily removable third-row seats, enhancing cargo capacity to minivan levels. However, the reviewer notes drawbacks in the technology interface, citing laggy haptic controls and difficult-to-use climate functions, similar to the ID.4. Interior material quality is considered good but not class-leading compared to the EV9. The primary hurdle is the high price, with the tested model costing over $70,000 and the base model starting above $60,000, making it significantly more expensive than traditional minivans like the Honda Odyssey.