When the Volkswagen Microbus made its debut in the 1950s, it was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon, captivating an array of demographics spanning multiple diverse generations. At a time when the average price of a new car hovered around $2,000, the VW Bus emerged as a budget-friendly alternative, making it an accessible choice for the masses. Fast forward to the present day—despite its production winding down in the 1960s, the Microbus’s collective value has surged dramatically, much like the popularity of avocado toast among millennials.  

A Modern Revival 

Now, over six decades later, we find ourselves at the dawn of a new era, as Volkswagen reintroduces a modern incarnation of this beloved classic, ready to charm a new generation as the ID.Buzz. With a strategic nod to its nostalgic roots, the latest VW Bus aims to revitalize its position on the buyers’ radar while reminding us that some legends never truly fade away—they simply go into hibernation, waiting for the right moment to re-emerge. 

This isn’t Volkswagen’s inaugural attempt to revive the beloved Microbus; over the past couple of decades, various global markets have encountered the T3, T4, T5, and T6 Series Transporters. However, when perusing the annals of VW history, one finds a conspicuous silence surrounding the Routan—an unceremonious foray into the minivan realm, awkwardly based on the Dodge Caravan.   

LIKES: Retro nostalgic styling, carries a cool factor, heavily equipped with premium features  

So, when Volkswagen decided to take another swing at this iconic vehicle, they opted for an all-electric model, seemingly tossing aside the traditional functionality that defined the original bus. It appears they’ve embraced a bold new direction, trading nostalgia for innovation, while hoping that the new wave of eco-conscious consumers will overlook the missed opportunities of the past.  

Let’s give credit where it’s due: the new ID.Buzz undeniably boasts a striking aesthetic. While it has certainly adopted a stockier demeanor—an understandable evolution—its design successfully captures the essence of retro nostalgia. Volkswagen has masterfully crafted a visual homage, featuring short overhangs at both the front and rear, and with its low profile and formidable 20-inch wheels, the ID. Buzz carries a stance that exudes a certain flair, ready to be camped outside the Coachella music festival.  

Electrified Confinements 

With the ID. Buzz committed to a fully electric powertrain, it seems to diverge from what consumers typically seek in a minivan, namely reliability for travel. Built on the same platform as the VW ID.4 crossover, the ID. Buzz offers two powertrain configurations: a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering a respectable 282 horsepower, and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant that ups the ante with a robust 335 horsepower. Both configurations are equipped with a 86-kWh battery pack, promising a range of 234 miles for the single motor and 231 miles for the dual motor.  

However, with our dual-motor all-wheel-drive example, we encountered a hiccup in its electric revolution. For reasons that remain a mystery, we found ourselves unable to charge the ID. Buzz beyond 80%, despite navigating the rather intricate, complicated touch screen interface in a bid to exceed that threshold, our efforts yielded a rather underwhelming range of only 160 miles at that 80% charge.  

When it comes to electric performance, the ID. Buzz leaves its predecessor in the dust—quite literally. The original Microbus was infamous for its sluggishness; in fact, porn downloads in the ’90s would make more meaningful progress than the Microbus did. In stark contrast, the ID. Buzz zips along like a quintessential EV, showcasing the exhilarating benefits of instant torque. It can accelerate to 60 mph in just under 5.5 seconds, a feat that would have made the original bus blush.  

Let’s also consider the sheer heft of the ID. Buzz: you could stack two Type 2 Microbuses on top of each other, and they still wouldn’t weigh as much as the ID. Buzz, which tips the scales at a staggering curb weight of nearly 6,200 pounds. Yet, despite this considerable mass, its performance remains impressively spirited. 

The drivability of the ID. Buzz skews decidedly toward comfort. While the steering lacks the sporty precision that might inspire confidence on a twisty road—though, it still fulfills its role adequately for everyday driving. However, the short wheelbase does the suspension no favors, resulting in noticeable jolting over uneven pavement, which can be a bit disconcerting. 

A more significant concern arises with the behavior of the brake pedal. Upon initial application, the brakes feel more like a gentle caress than a firm application that leaves you question your judgment on braking distance. Following that initial touch, there’s a perceptible delay before the brakes engage fully to slow your momentum. This quirk is likely a byproduct of the regenerative braking system, meaning you will need some time to acclimate to this somewhat unconventional response. 

Simplicity of the Masses 

Inside, the ID. Buzz impresses with its spaciousness—you could practically land a helicopter on the dashboard! True to EV design, it has a minimalist feel. Plus, since there’s no prop shaft for the rear wheels, the floor is completely flat. Our example featured a copper interior, nicely complemented by subtle white wood accents and black trim. While the exterior captures the retro charm of the original bus, the interior leans toward a modern aesthetic rather than going overboard with nostalgic touches. However, I do think a bit more thought could have gone into the digital instrument cluster. 

With our example being the top trim Pro S Plus, it featured captains chair seating arrangements all around, a 4-zone climate control system, upgraded Harman Kardon sound system, a heads up display and heated second row seats. All the comfort creatures one comes to expect when paying $67,995.  

Kids Tested, Kids DID NOT Approve 

However, after enlisting a friend to test out the ID. Buzz’s minivan capabilities with his kids for an hour, we quickly noticed some shortcomings. For instance, the rear windows, while a fun feature, aren’t very practical. When opened above 30 mph, they create uncomfortable wind pressure in the cabin. There were no rear screens for entertainment. And no storage space for snacks and their iPads apart from the far to reach pouches behind the driver and passenger seats. But they did like the heated seat feature.     

Storage is another issue. The rear seats don’t really have cup holders except for some pockets in the doors and even then it was exhibit that was too far for kids to reach. You could move the front center console to the back for easier access, but that would mean losing your front storage space. Folding the seats is also a hassle. There’s a bolted down steel shelf in the trunk that allows the seats to fold flat; however, you have to reach under the shelf to pull a strap to release the third row seat, which can be hard to find and then pull a top strap to fold the seat completely. I can only imagine trying to do this while holding a toddler—it would be a recipe for disaster.  

DISLIKES: Hard to reach crevasse hidden in the dashboard, difficult to get into, touch sensitive controls not always working, cost saving rear window controls deleted, difficult to navigate infotainment system, wont charge beyond 80%. 

We also noticed some less-than-ideal features. For example, the driver’s control switch doesn’t have rear window controls, so you have to push a button to activate them. Because this button is right next to the front window controls, you often accidentally activate the rear windows when you just want to roll down the front ones. Additionally, Volkswagen’s attempt at touch-sensitive controls leads to the same frustrating issues we’ve complained about before: there’s a noticeable delay, and some functions, like the volume control, just stop working, forcing us to turn the vehicle off and back on again. 

Questions of the Public

Not to be overly critical of the ID. Buzz, but it undoubtedly garnered significant attention, which was accompanied by a flurry of inquiries—many reflecting on the original Microbus. Questions included, “Do the seats fold into a bed?” No. “Does the roof pop up?” No, but it does offer an optional glass roof that can transition from translucent to opaque! “Does it open?” No. 

Further inquiries pertained to its range. Given that the Microbus was renowned for its long-distance capabilities, it’s no surprise that people asked, “How far can I travel in the ID. Buzz?” Currently, it achieves around 160 miles, although it is claimed to reach approximately 230 miles. “So, I can’t travel 500 miles?” No, you will need to stop and charge. “How long will that take?” It depends on the charging unit and battery levels: Level 3 typically takes about 20-30 minutes, while Level 2 can take 6-12 hours. I guess in retro spec, you could fit a nap in during your long-distance journey… several naps.

This scenario underscores a missed opportunity for the ID. Buzz to be a plug-in hybrid EV, like the Chrysler Pacifica which could travel over 530 miles on gas and electric. As a minivan, it struggles to serve as a practical family vehicle unless one has ample time to spare. Furthermore, it doesn’t fully resonate with its heritage in terms of features and capabilities, though this may evolve with future iterations. While the ID. Buzz possesses a nostalgic charm that may entice potential buyers, the experience of driving it off the lot is an entirely different matter.