The best cars are built with a thorough understanding of who the buyer is. Ford trucks offer special work spaces, lie-flat seats and onboard generators for contractors who live out of the truck. Rivian offers a camp mode and camp kitchen for adventurous drivers. Tesla invented “Dog Mode” and uses “Sentry Mode” to provide 24/7 security.
Volkswagen ID. The Buzz needs some of its magic because its interior and software experience aren’t as appealing as its stunning exterior design.
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Inside EV
Volkswagen has clearly tried to incorporate some of its customer-centric design into its new electric bus reboot. The highlight is the removable center console, which has plenty of space for several cans. Some people call this a cooler alternative, but it doesn’t seem to insulate as well.
At least the top divider would be helpful. One works as a bottle opener and is suitable for surf/camping vans, and the other works as an ice scraper. But for an aspirational car that costs more than $65,000, I expected more touches specific to the camping and surfing image that has long defined VW vans. There is literally nothing in this software that meaningfully differentiates it from the existing ID.4. Don’t take it from me.
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Volkswagen ID. buzz first drive
“Essentially, this is like software that carried over what was present on the ID.4,” Jeffrey Lear, VW’s director of U.S. product strategy, told InsideEVs. “So whatever the next step is, we haven’t debuted yet.”
Explaining the reason for the ID, he said: The Buzz lacks a camp mode that allows you to leave the heater, air conditioner, and power outlets running in vehicles like the Tesla Model Y and Rivian R1T.
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Volkswagen ID. buzz first drive
ID. The Buzz also doesn’t have a pet or dog mode like Tesla or Rivian, so you can’t turn on the HVAC when you stop by the store. For example, the Buzz powers off when you get out of the driver’s seat, so you can’t even easily lie down in the back seat with the HVAC on while charging. You have to fool it by buckling something heavy into the seat.
The second row seats also cannot be removed without using tools or removing the harness, so VW doesn’t recommend doing it yourself. For example, there’s no way to lock your keys in your car while surfing. Also, for proximity keys, you can’t really use the lockbox unless you wrap the key in foil so the car can’t detect it.
This was a problem with my Chevy Blazer EV and I thought the Bus, of all cars, would be the solution for surfers. Lear said VW is aware of the problem.
InsideEV
The two screens and their software are ported straight from the ID.4.
Here’s one more application-specific complaint. ID.4 (and now the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3), even though this bus is one of the most open-windowed vehicles in the world. There are two switches and a capacitive toggle button labeled “Rear” for when you need to lower the rear window. I don’t understand why they couldn’t just flip 4 separate switches on a $65,000 car. At least you can roll all four windows down by holding down the “rear” button.
Unfortunately, though, it reverts back to default quickly from that mode, so if you want to roll up the window and get it back, you’ll have to hold down the button again. The audio feedback when you tap the “back” button is also still delayed by half a second and doesn’t come from the left side, which shatters the illusion that you’re using real, responsive buttons.
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ID. Buzz offers an optional captain’s chair.
You can moan behind me and report the rest of your ID. Buzz’s interior and software experience is pleasant. The wide sliding doors provide plenty of space, and sliding the second-row bench forward is easy and can be done in one move. Captain’s chairs can be installed in the second row of top-trim buses, but the heated bench is comfortable enough.
But the ID. The Buzz’s killer app is its passenger space. You won’t find a better third row anywhere in the business. ID. The Buzz’s seats slide and recline, offering more legroom than the Chevrolet Suburban or Toyota Sienna. Here’s a video showing how easy it is to get in and how spacious it is. Even with the glass roof option, headroom is nearly endless.
The tradeoff with this is that unlike the Suburban, Sienna, or just about any SUV or van, it’s an ID. Buzz’s third row does not fold flat. Instead, it can be folded horizontally using an available parcel shelf in the rear, which VW says is strong enough to support two adults.
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Buzz with the seat folded.
In theory, you could sleep with parcel shelves surrounding the folded second and third rows, but you would need to fill the wide gap between them. Volkswagen could solve this problem with an accessory to help you sleep in the back seat of a van, but it hasn’t announced anything yet.
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Buzz with the third row removed. VW says cargo capacity with the third row out is 146 cubic feet.
While this software experience will be familiar to those who have used ID.4, it’s important to note that the latest version is significantly improved over its predecessor. There’s still a capacitive slider for volume control instead of a knob, but at least it’s backlit and responsive.
Still, the infotainment UX, while not the clearest or easiest to decipher, is fast enough. I wish there was a better home screen that just showed the map and current track. I also wish the settings and controls weren’t spread out over so many confusing menus. But the ID. Buzz has great automatic route planning for road trips, supports pre-arrangement with a helpful display of current maximum charging rates, and supports plug-and-charge with Electrify America. As for cars in general, I don’t like the software. Still, it manages to provide most of what an EV needs.
So ID. Buzz doesn’t live or die by software. It’s not defined by its specs or interior, but it can hold just about anything you want and has room for at least six adults on longer trips than ever before. However, cargo space with all seats in place is much smaller than a minivan, at 18.6 cubic feet compared to 32 cubic feet in the Chrysler Pacifica, 33.5 cubic feet in the Sienna, and 40.3 cubic feet in the Kia Carnival. is.
Combine with ID. The Buzz has an EPA-estimated range of up to 234 miles, making a conventional or hybrid van more practical.
But to find out if the id. The Buzz is fun and comfortable on the road. Stay tuned for our first drive review. Please check back here soon.
