You’re looking at the 2024 Volkswagen ID Buzz EV. It will be sold in the US with great excitement and fond memories. It seems like the famous VW Microbus from back in the day, but everything else is very modern. From its 91 kilowatt-hour battery to its possible dual motors, everything about it is made for people in the 21st century who want to go back in time. Because it was made with Americans in mind, it has more space than the one on sale in Europe for months, thanks to a third seat that can be folded down. Compared to the original Bus, which probably took longer to reach 60 mph than a Dachshund with three legs, this electric version has 282 horsepower with RWD and “about 330” horsepower with dual motors and up to 406 pound-feet of torque. VW hasn’t said how long the US model will take to go from 0 to 60 mph, but we expect it to be faster than the European standard, which takes 10.2 seconds and only has 201 horsepower and 228 lb-ft of torque. For now, the rest of the world will get the two-row car with the shorter wheelbase, an 82-kWh battery, and a top speed of 90 miles per hour. In the US, the maximum speed is 99 mph. Inside, VW emphasised comfort, convenience, and cargo. The perforated fake leather seats have two armrests, ventilation, massaging, memory setting, and 12-way power for the driver and front passenger. Both the front and side seats in the second row have heat. Standard features include an air vent for each row of seats and a steering wheel that can be heated. Volkswagen still needs to release detailed interior details. The 60/40-split second-row bench can be seen when the dual power-sliding back doors are opened. A motorised tailgate that opens when you move your foot under the rear bumper also makes it easier to get in and out of the car and load goods. Remember to take the centre bench between the front seats to the beach. When the second row is folded forward, the third row is surprisingly big and easy to get into, but taller people might find it hard to get their heads in. The back seats are neatly split 50/50 and are easy to take out. Also, VW says that each one only weighs about 30 pounds. But to recline them, you must reach under the seat and remove a red tag, which could be challenging. Also, the ID Buzz’s raised sitting positions and a small amount of body overhang give everyone a great view of their surroundings. The car feels more open and airy with an available panoramic glass sunroof with electrochromic tinting. In the middle of the front panel is a 12.9-inch screen for entertainment and a 5.3-inch screen for the driver’s instruments. It has eight USB-C ports, one 110V outlet, wireless charging, and 12-volt charging in the hatch area—VW’s IQ. The standard Drive driving assistance package includes road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, rear traffic warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, speech commands, lane centering, and a head-up display. When asked about the range at a roundtable talk, VW said that buyers could charge from 10 to 80% at a peak rate of 170 kW in 20 minutes. When this story was written, VW had not said how far its cars could go or how many miles per gallon they got. I’m just as interested as you are in how the 2024 ID Buzz works. VW says that the fact that its battery is on the floor makes it easier to drive. It also has an independent multi-link front and rear suspension, which we look for in a fun-to-drive car.
