ID. Buzz Lands in North America, But the Wait Isn’t Over Yet
Ever since Volkswagen unveiled the production ID. Buzz in European-spec, two-row configuration last year, a lot of folks—young and old—have been wondering when this uber-cool electric minivan will end up on our roads.
Alas, we don’t have a firm answer yet. It’s expected to arrive about a year from now, so in late spring or early summer 2024. The wait is not over, but at least we finally got to see the North American variant of the ID. Buzz, which is longer, roomier and able to accommodate up to seven.
Unsurprisingly, the German manufacturer chose the sunny West Coast to introduce this modern, zero-emission interpretation of the iconic Microbus, or simply Bus if you prefer.
The ID. Buzz looks pretty cool from every angle. Standing 4.88 metres from nose to tail, it’s about 60 cm longer than the original and 25.4 cm longer than its overseas twin. While shorter than conventionally powered minivans by about 30 cm, the wheelbase of 3.24 metres is by far the longest, as is often the case with EVs.
Let There Be Light!
Access to the interior is made easy by a pair of power-opening sliding doors. Ditto for the trunk with a gigantic, power-assisted rear hatch. Up top, designers have given the ID. Buzz the largest panoramic roof ever fitted to a VW vehicle, covering an area of 1.71 metres by 1.03 metres.
The dashboard is styled and dressed differently, too. A 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster displays vital driving information behind the steering wheel, while a 12.9-inch infotainment screen sits in the middle. Those who want a funkier atmosphere can choose from a wide range of ambient lighting options.
Volkswagen didn’t talk about interior volume, but it’s possible to opt for captain’s chairs in the second row (for a six-passenger configuration), while the third-row seats fold flat. Keep in mind there’s no storage space available in the floor due to the battery and rear motor.
More Power Than ID.4
Speaking of which, the North American variant of the ID. Buzz gets a power boost. The single-motor RWD model delivers 282 horsepower, which is 81 horsepower more than the ID.4 crossover built on the same platform. The twin-motor AWD model is rated at 330 horsepower versus 295 horsepower for the ID.4 Pro AWD.
The high-voltage battery boasts increased capacity, as well, going from 82 kWh to 91 kWh. Volkswagen has no NRC estimates yet when it comes to range, but the European-spec ID. Buzz is advertised with 423 km based on the WLTP test cycle. A realistic prediction for Canada would be around 350-375 km.
That’s not enough to go on long road trips across the country without making numerous stops, especially with a loaded vehicle, but the clean and silent operation will definitely add a new dimension to the experience.
