Documentary & Review: How the 2025 ID.Buzz Fits Into Volkswagen History - Jason Cammisa on the ICONS

[@sureshspecter]

To the Editors : Yes I think this one will win you your 4th international motor film award in a row!!!

[@gregdeschodt9346]

Maybe so, but maybe the Jynah plate will stop them ;-)

[@AMAzOOOOOOOn]

they keep doing it again and again... everytime

[@blokshredder1276]

@@TinLeadHammer what is cinemascope?

[@annanadel]

boring af filled with useless skits wow...

[@AMAzOOOOOOOn]

@@annanadel it'd actually be boring if they DIDN'T add those useless skits ... why did you think Top gear was so successful?

[@atri0x823]

I know the slogan of hagerty is never stop driving. But I just wanted to say, Jason, never stop making videos. The quality of these short documentries rivals box office worthy ones. The dedication to your craft is immense and I applaud you and the team for that.

[@anthonyfrench3169]

Totally agree, especially from where he came(which is good) these are polished

[@ramoncoppens3781]

Yes!!

[@asiimwedesignagedeux1252]

@@atri0x823 Let's see what #VW 🇩🇪 thinks of this video

[@soumajitghosh02]

The production quality is better than a movie

[@MohdSaud-bz9tw]

Very much true..

[@invictushakil]

Came here to say exactly this!

[@zo.v1601]

Maybe Haggerty should give VW a few pointers on their new cars 😂

[@JaredDixon]

Absolutely.. Jason and team have knocked it out of the park time and time again. I appreciate the amount of time it takes to put these together and its 100% worth it.

[@andoletube]

Better than the car too.

[@ben_hewitson_AU]

Journalism, writing, editing, storey, filming, hosting, everything. The production value we get from Jason and Andrew is just supreme. It helps that everything you've said is well researched, accurate and just presented so well.

[@vincechurchill3079]

As a member of the VWofA team (not on the car side) honestly THANK YOU for making the argument I've been trying to make to Wolfsburg for seven years. Can't wait to see the Buzz on our shores FINALLY

[@740GLE]

But America needs more Taos. . . .

[@johnknight9150]

Can you email the office this video? I don't know why they keep chasing complex uninspired designs. Small, simple (normal buttons, please!) and cute. Just do that. It'll be cheap and it'll sell.

[@dpmakestuff]

If Amazon is looking for someone to save The Grand Tour format, this is the man for the job.

[@HAFBeast91]

Jason Camissa is Top Gear but smarter.

[@dpmakestuff]

@@HAFBeast91 more than that, he’s funny without trying, and I don’t care what he’s reviewing I just want to see him review. Truly talented and the editing for these videos is unbelievable too.

[@eyurobenjnr8347]

I think Cammisa and the boys from throttle house would be great for it

[@vvandijk3021]

Wow amazing idea

[@driverpsyche]

Why rehash someone else formula when Jason has his own unique style?

[@minishadow5]

Jason understands VW better than VW understands VW

[@jackryan2077]

Absolutely

[@z.z.onichi5365]

Well said❤

[@ARCNA442]

Sure, but his prescription of "appeal to nostalgia because nothing you build is any good" (paraphrasing) isn't really going to work long term.

[@andoletube]

@@ARCNA442 Agreed. And to be honest, I wouldn't be too sad if they folded. There's so much bad history with this company. I'd also like to see them lose their grip on Lamborghini, Porsche, Bentley, Audi, Bugatti, etc. Anything VW is involved in suffers.

[@MrSandChess]

VW

[@manega123]

Still cant believe I'm watching this for free, THANK YOU HAGERTY!

[@benjjamin5547]

While using the browser "Brave" and having no ads, how good!

[@Diabolotherium]

What a great comment!

[@bradhall923]

I will never watch a Cammisa video without captions ever again. Y'all, go watch it again with closed captions ON. Gold. It's criminal that this man and Anthony don't have a long format full budget full time automotive show yet. Bravo, as always fellas. And thank you for the extra humor in the easter eggs ;)

[@colinwatt00]

This is awesome! Such an Easter egg.

[@B4ndItOo]

@@bradhall923 yes. I went into the comments to write just that :)

[@Themanfromglad]

I had three A1 Rabbits, one was my first car. I did everything with that car, the design and functionality was second to none. It was also a very safe car, compared to the competition of the day. My biggest car accident was in my second A1 Rabbit, I walked away with my brother without injury and the car was a total write off. Thank you VW for the memories. Excellent production quality from Hagerty and Jason’s team, once again.

[@XXfea]

This is the FINEST auto journalism in the whole F*CKING WORLD

[@DustyPearl-13]

Absof*ckinglutely!

[@curtisbme]

There is no journalism about this car as there is no info on it, this is just entertainment with a bit of historical info.

[@BMWBuilds]

@@curtisbmejason does that everywhere else. This is story time, and it’s better for it. If you want to know a bunch of arguably useless metrics (bc they’re obvious) then you can find the cliffs notes anywhere else in less than a 2 minute read or watch. And you won’t learn a thing that matters :-)

[@emilhelander]

@@curtisbme wait, are you actually saying there is no journalism involved here? what an insane thing to say

[@Miggy2j]

💯

[@gordonmills2748]

24 minutes into the video, you mentioned the UX. One of the things that gives me hope about the company I work for is that the folks behind designing the UX actually listen to those of us who have to use it every day. We have a long, uncomfortable meeting with the designers, tell them the thing they've come up with sucks, and instead of getting their feelings hurt and dismissing our concerns actually LISTEN and redesign it based on our feedback. It is glorious. Much like the production of this video.

[@beflat_trumpeter]

@@gordonmills2748 I'm curious, did any of these UX designers actually drive the car? Stuff like having to go multiple menus deep to access simplest of functions (that reset everytime the car turns off) really grinds quickly, not to mention the car is bricked if the screen freezes up.

[@gordonmills2748]

@@beflat_trumpeter Well I'm not working with car infotainment, but no, our UX designers don't interact with our software on a daily basis as users. That's why it was so refreshing to have them listen to us and address our concerns. We give weekly feedback for our new interface, and they take our recommendations and fix the problems we have. They don't take our criticisms personally...they just give us what we need.

[@jebidiahcarlyon3543]

As a developer, I love it when the product I delivered gets people angry. In my mind, i think " YOU ACTUALLY USED IT?!". Then, I get paid to fix my own crap design

[@beflat_trumpeter]

@@gordonmills2748 So thats where all the insanely infuriating interfaces come from. The lexus mousepad comes to mind.

[@davidraezer5937]

Jason you killed it. Don’t stop doing what you do!

[@kaankuruuzumcu3867]

The video is 52 minutes old and you commented 48 minutes ago watch the video first

[@rml4474]

Yeah he's top tier to watch cause of his personality and presentation

[@Shorty15c4007]

Don't Stop Driving

[@GanjaNinja]

@@Shorty15c4007 i think imma walk

[@FirestormX9]

​@@Shorty15c4007it's never*, 'never stop driving.' but yeah

[@marijnvanbuuren]

I love all the easter eggs! Like: the plate on the Buzz being Jynah which makes it a Van Jynah😂

[@codymiller1994]

Hagerty’s production quality is better than any other automotive channel on KZbin.

[@Schermer348]

Didn't think a scene change from Jason Cammisa holding a bong to Hitler smiling at a model VW Beetle was in the cards today... 11/10 as always

[@ashishpatel350]

Bro did nothing wrong 😂

[@TylerSmithMusic1]

😂💀

[@Duckentree]

Hopefully VW watches this.. I've been saying for a while now VW is a brand struggling with identity. And you hit the nail on the head, it needs a vehicle that connects it to the customer.

[@poplaurentiu4148]

I watch this cautiously until it ended.. very good indeed, and this opinion comes from an European.. The fact that Volkswagen try to expand the offer for every customer is true, really sad about diesel-gate scandal but hopefully they will succeed as in past since for many years they were the reference brand to compare the rivals for each class ..

[@wasupmike22]

VW probably payed for this

[@ARCNA442]

Easy to say, hard to do. What do they have to offer? They can't compete on price with the Koreans, they can't compete on reliability with the Japanese, they can't compete on tech with Tesla/Lucid/Rivian, and they can't compete on performance because Audi/Porsche won't let them. Competing on nostalgia might (might) work in the short term, but when the new product doesn't live up to the old one, that comes to an abrupt end (how many New Beetles have you seen lately?)

[@DustyPearl-13]

@@ARCNA442 Wwll said!

[@tbr2109]

@@wasupmike22 That was my thinking as well. This whole video is one long VW commercial and the final conclusion drawn in it has no basis in reality. The Buzz, while I'm sure it's a fine car, has very little mass market appeal and won't in any way save the company.

[@brandonsever2576]

Turns out when you have production quality like this, a presenter this entertaining, and a story that stays engaging the whole way through, I'll happily sit and watch an Icons episode on a lineage of cars that I don't have any personal memories or attachment to whatsoever. Great work

[@brandonsever2576]

Also I just want to throw this out there, this format would work perfectly to highlight specific engine families, not just cars. Imagine an Icons episode on the small-block Chevy engine lineage, using cars from each generation to illustrate. Idk just a thought

[@Beanercounter]

Jason's work just keeps getting better and better. The VW Buzz is an awesome car with 2 large flaws that were not mentioned in the video, Price and lack of hybrid powertrain. At $60 to $75K, it's hard pass for most American families that need a long hauler van. As a city dweller myself, I could total see myself driving one but not at the current price tag. I can't imagine there will be many buyers at that price since Rivian, Tesla, and Kia/Hyundai offer arguably better alternatives on paper. I wish VW would have offered a hybrid-gas-electric powertrain option that could have appealed to the masses and truly saved VW in America.

[@jackhammerpka]

@@Beanercounter came here to say that, I'll be waiting for off lease ones to see what the EV market in general and resale on this is specifically

[@yodaddamilkman8422]

This.

[@Javacardo]

I think it’s criminal that these videos are so well made, acted etc that 3 days in have barely cracked 200,000 views. Jason, his team and Throttle house are the best car reviewers out there.

[@AdemyrDiaz]

If you want car reviews go watch @savageesee

[@chukuolu5146]

Because this episode is not convincible, at all!

[@superlagger599]

I can't believe they got a Miura just for this. Gorgeous video

[@ethanbeech8421]

The Miura belongs to Derek Tam-Scott, Jason's co-host on the Carmudgeon Show. I don't believe it would have been a hard get for them, especially since Derek is usually part of the other Hagerty shoots as well.

[@blokshredder1276]

i guess it pays to have a friend who owns a miura (Derek from the carmudgeon show and OTS&co)

[@aprtur]

​​@@blokshredder1276 I'll never stop hearing it as Jason's version - "OT Sand Company" 😂

[@ocavant]

I can’t believe the thing is so damn slow😂😂

[@peterscott2662]

Why was the Miura slower off the line than a guy on a bicycle?

[@soleinclined]

Got blue balls from waiting for another Icons video. Today is a good day

[@glh_somemore]

Right! Some car videos are hack jobs. Icons videos are whack jobs. Always "coming" back for more 😱

[@landon_shonuff1181]

@@glh_somemorequality over quantity

[@FirestormX9]

​@@glh_somemoredo you work in or are studying marketing?

[@ytj22]

What finally did it for ya, was it the whig and the hippy outfit?

[@acchaladka]

Imagine those of waiting twenty five years for an electric microbus.

[@Jo1844]

Cammisa/Esposito production is next level. Killed it!!! Also Andy is just as good acting as is racing driving!! Amazing

[@FirestormX9]

It's Randy*

[@josephng8941]

This is amazing. The ending left me speechless and genuinely emotional. Seeing all those blobs together was sick!

[@ibjoec]

I’ve never owned a VW, but after watching this masterpiece I’m pulling for them.

[@FourDollaRacing]

$60,000.00 for an EV, without EV tax credits, is a lot of money. If the Federal Government allows cheap Chinese-imported EVs to flood the American market, then the German EV manufacturers are inevitably getting screwed.

[@tk80mufa5]

@@ibjoec Unless one is working for Volkswagen AG and its subsidiary brands , even most Germans aren't rooting for the company. - too many times they have screwed over their own customers ( Dieselgate ) - VW has its own law in Germany ( Volkswagengesetz ) - which leads to political interference - unqualified politicians sitting on the board of the company - greedy unions have run up the workers' wages to more than their work is worth, they are overpaid - technologically always behind - software is always behind as well - prices are way too high - scary history , its foundation and everything ( mentioned in the video ) - look up what a certain Pïech factory head guy did during 39-45 to the children of forced labor workers... - even the Austrian founding owning family a couple of years ago sold all their shares , they seem to know something about VW's future... - i could go on .....

[@raradis]

You have my vote. This is absolutely flawless. Soundtrack, story, acting, editing, video. Wtf, this sets the bar so high! Respect, guys!

[@peterliu8562]

Pushing the limits of that mk1 GTi without shoes is pure madness 😆

[@diddlybow3891]

Can we all agree that Randy is pure gold?

[@bernd2244]

yes we can 🥰

[@chrisj323]

he makes an awfully good hippie! I didn't see that one coming

[@kicappneumatic8585]

Randy is soo natural as hippies

[@bolt5564]

Please keep making videos like this. I know some people are rude, but don't let them ruin such a wonderful thing for the rest of us.

[@ThomasBenke]

Never let the trolls stop you from creating stuff like this! This is gold!

[@danielvicaria2185]

Is that Bottas?? 5:15

[@lg.studio]

my question exactly! We need answers!

[@jivewig]

Don’t imagine him flying all the way to US and spending a whole day at the shoot in the middle of the busiest F1 calendar for a 2 second cameo

[@danielvicaria2185]

@@jivewig more side quests for him?

[@WARXion]

​@@jivewig According to Strava he was in La Paz, Mexiko between Oct. 10th and 14th. I can see him flying to California for a few hours just for this lol. Edit: yes I'm the kind of guy who stalks Bottas on Strava.

[@TheDeviltech]

Bottas rides a Canyon so no it isnt Bottas. Also the guy looks different

[@TimJComposer]

This is within the first 1000 comments so, based on your recent Carmudgeon Show, I guess you're reading this Jason. Don't let the angry noisy few get you down, or stop you from telling us about new cars and technology. You evidently make these videos because you're enthusiastic and excited by the subject you love, but you do so much more - you educate, entertain, you're a taste maker and an educated and authoritative voice in an increasingly subjective market. Keep doing what you love, keep bringing us the interesting and the new, and keep sharing the joy!

[@griffins750]

This is his best review in a long time. Perfectly articulated why and how the Buzz is a potential game changer for VW in the US. Excited to hear what others have to say but I’d be surprised if this isn’t widely praised, it’s REALLY fucking good…

[@shAdOwstAlkEr945]

One underrated fact is that these episodes are always filmed at a 21:9 aspect ratio, as opposed to the normal 16:9 videos on KZbin. This means the video is more cinematic, and I can fully utilize the entire screen of my Ultrawide Monitor, just like when I'm streaming a movie. I love it.

[@aprtur]

I've noticed that Henry's videos for Hagerty are, as well - a blessing on my "weird" 21:9 Xperia, since I can use the full screen to enjoy.

[@MultiKdizzle]

@@aprtur another Xperia user here! There are dozens of us!

[@phuzz00]

The worst is when a video is shot in 21:9, but black bars are pre-added to the video to make it nice on 16:9 screens, and us 21:9 users end up with black bars on all sides. So thanks to whoever at Hagerty uploaded this in 21:9, trusting that KZbin can add the bars in screens where they're needed, and to give all six of us ultrawide-enjoyers to have a really cool video :)

[@l5vdi]

as someone who uses Theatre mode only, this looks amazing on a 16:9 monitor

[@aprtur]

@@phuzz00 - worth noting that if the content is in 21:9, you can pinch to zoom and it should snap to fit your screen. I use that feature when I notice the issue you're talking about.

[@BryceLovesTech]

I have a hobby KZbin channel and I’m embarrassed when I see what a masterpiece these videos are. Jason is just the best storyteller of our time.

[@hkad6252]

I absolutely adore my ID.3! Toured all over Europe in it.

[@rannapatil652]

Soothing bliss is the track at 26:00 for those wondering.

[@ThinkfreeorDie]

You sir are an absolute legend!

[@mattjeth]

Also the song at the introduction is Without You (as heard on Las Vegas) by Lewis LaMedica

[@alsa4real]

Love this sonf

[@Remix916]

No joke the moment I heard the outro song I instantly Shazam the song and it's been on repeat since this video dropped. Jaco Prince- Soothing Bliss. Definitely need to find more songs in the indie dance genre

[@corey31]

Every VW moving forward should have to pass through Jason’s approval. If VW had just gotten in touch with their biggest fan before the entire Cariad/Rivian UI/UX debacle he could have single handedly saved them billions!

[@Jeroenneman]

It just baffles me that Cariad is even a thing. I've driven an ID 3, a Cupra Born and lately one of the newest ID.7's and they just can't seem to get it right. Simple example: on the Tesla app, I can set charging speed in increments of 1 Amp. This has worked since 2019. VW only offers you two options: full speed or half speed. Why?

[@hawkeye454]

My first car was a then 22 year old 81 Rabbit diesel. It had 52 angry horsepower but was a wonderful little car. I really miss it.

[@oskar6661]

I sold a 2004 Golf TDI to a guy who came into the dealership in his deisel Rabbit pick-up. He asked if this one would go 582,000 miles like his pick-up. I told him...probably not.

[@markuswandel8115]

The Turbodiesel Rabbit was like the first half of at GTI. Torquey as hell, fun to drive, but show's over by halfway around the tach.

[@KineticMantis]

11/10. This video is unbelievable. The production quality, the writing, the creativeness, the research, and of course Jason...these are the best videos out there right now. Keep it up. Cammisa is himself an automotive icon.

[@NeethnavK]

The attention to detail these people give in their videos should be appreciated.

[@m4ril4r4njinh4]

Nice to be alive to see this level of automotive journalism being done. Somehow hagerty manages to make one video better than the other. This video is just a masterpiece. Thank you all for sharing this kind of content with us. Never stop driving!

[@MilSpecScout]

Volkswagen has always been in my heart. The Mk3 Jetta was the car I learned how to drive a stick with. Then I got a manual MkV Jetta 2.5. Seeing the Beetles and the Busses together at the end, not gonna lie, I shed a few tears. I really hope Volkswagen pulls through.

[@poplaurentiu4148]

My brother still has the Corrado (that i got it brand new with a 2L- 4 cyl engine was my first car before marriage)so, i did not want to sell it and i just give him the car after i got married.. When i go to him to see how well he keep the car for nostalgic memories, i just found out he put an R32 - V6 engine in it totally transform it into a beast still love that car though he kept the original interior as it was immaculate.. i still got an order for a new iD-Buzz with 6 individual seats which for us will do great as now i got 2 beautiful kids.. so yeah..

[@oskar6661]

The question becomes...do you want it to pull through if this is the junk it makes? Part of me (long time VW guy) thinks "god, someone step in and save it...", but then I also consider that modern VW sucks...and I'd be fine if they weren't around. A VW making expensive, comically heavy electric vehicles is...not a VW I need anymore.

[@proxigenated]

MK1 GTI goodness, van "Jynah" plates on the Buzz, Derek Tam hyphen Scott's yellow Miura finally getting some time in the sun? Far out duuuude

[@SteveTong-go6ml]

In the fact a lot golf GTI mk-1 owners still drive it and keeping well, because mk-1 light weight and more driving fun more than mk-2 or other GTI ever !

[@amccaulx]

Hyphen drives that Miura quite a bit actually. Cool to see him make a cameo!

[@filipusdani]

Cant help but say this in every ICONS video: Exceptional quality and story telling. This team is the best and should be taking a huge pride in ICONS.

[@Ghostninja151]

AMAZING EPISODE! YOU CAN REALLY TELL HOW MUCH WORK IS PUT INTO THESE VIDEOS

[@swerner6459]

5:14 I did not exactly expect Valtteri Bottas in a Drag Race on Hagerty... on a bicycle...😅

[@stfu7203]

@@swerner6459 was that really him? I thought I was trippin 😂

[@wharris123184]

Came to look for this comment. 🏎️💨

[@JoshuaTootell]

I didn't know who he was until I looked him up. But looks like he rides a Canyon. Not sure why he would ride a Cervelo in this video.

[@JoshuaTootell]

I didn't know who he was so I looked him up (I don't follow F1). But it looks like he is supported by Canyon, not sure why he would be on a Cervelo for this video. But at least Jason found a rider on a decent modern bike, instead of most videos using "generic bicycle".

[@swerner6459]

@@JoshuaTootell You´re actually right on that one, I didn´t notice. However both the stache and the mullet are on the spot and look exactly like Bottas. Guess we´ll never know wether it really is him. Edit: since they marked your answer I guess we know and it´s not him...😅

[@nextechsolutions5955]

I think what the modern Auto executives have missed is the point that the great majority of the most iconic vehicles of the last century were originally utilitarian vehicles. The Ford Model T, VW Beetle, Citroën 2CV, Fiat 500, Morris Minor and Mini were all created to mobilize whole populations. All the other great automotive icons were either military transport, farm implement, delivery van or a combination of those. e.g. Willys Jeep, Land Rover, Ford F-Series, Bronco and Transit, Chevy C10, Citroën H Van, VW Bus, MB G-Wagon. The only mega-icons that don’t fit this pattern are the Ford Mustang and the Porsche 911. But both of them were adaptations of more utilitarian designs. The people at Tesla seem to understand this and those at Rivian appear not to. Why hasn’t Rivian made work focused versions of the R1T and R1S?!? And why haven’t they shown leisure versions of their Delivery Van?!?

[@ewadge]

You do have a point. The trend nowadays however is to have the expensive model with all the bells and whistles first to market with cheaper more utilitarian versions to follow. You make a good point about Tesla also. The model 3 and Y is hardly exciting but they might just about be the best utilitarian vehicles in their segment today. The Cybertruck less so.

[@nextechsolutions5955]

@@ewadge Believe it or not, the Cybertruck already has the work truck content built into it and people are starting to blog about their use of it. The aftermarket has already responded with accessories for overlanding and utility uses as well. My only knock on Tesla is that the Model S and Y maybe too bland for their capabilities?!? They could use some more bespoke interior furnishings.

[@ewadge]

@@nextechsolutions5955 maybe you’re right and maybe seeing a Kardashian driving one gave me a bad impression. I actually like the Cybertruck but I like oddball designs and I agree that it has some practical features to make it a work truck.

[@Shorty15c4007]

Piggyback on the success of a reputable brand and cut corners with each coming generation = profit until nothing is left. Yay greed.

[@kifferh9947]

Yup - make a cheap, light, econo version of the van with more basic user interfaces and less gadgets that can break and it will be guaranteed to sell like hotcakes. What I really want is an electric Eurovan styled to look like a 60's microbus.

[@gpfanuk69]

That reg plate is the best joke ever… VAG-jynah? Or is that just my mind?

[@PigglyWigglyDeluxe]

That’s the joke, he’s made that joke about his minivan camera car for years, VANjynah

[@xClose2Deathx]

Number plate looks like a phonetic spelling of Trump saying "China" lol

[@WispyFrost371]

Van-Jynah was Jason's minivan, a Chrysler Pacifica iirc. He sold it

[@kevins718]

@@WispyFrost371it’s a dodge caravan. I thought he still has it for camera duties

[@Flamewake]

He hasn’t sold it, he mentioned it in the most recent carmudgeon show, I doubt he’ll sell it while he’s still filming content

[@ultimatist]

This should be MANDATORY viewing for all VW executives. I'm rooting for VeeDub, they make world-class autos when they try, and I'm a happy owner of multiple wagons over the years.

[@WaseemAkram-rj1ky]

Randy pobst presence in this is an essence. I love the way Jason Camisa enjoys presenting the story. One of the best 🔹

[@DaveGrimes-i4s]

Jason, you are an actual genius. The best automotive writing since David E Davis and Csaba Csere. The videography and editing is as tight as your van, Jynah too. Thank you for another amazing Icons!

[@ClosedCourseProfessionalIdiot]

Bhwhaha, thanks for the coffee all over my keyboard (and the really, really nice comments.)

[@andrejmichal4676]

Yes, VWs of old became unintentionally iconic due to their popularity as cheap vehicles. This is far from true for new VW vehicles, let alone the ID-series. And that includes the ID Buzz which is way too expensive for what it offers, except for the hype that is. Greeting from Slovakia, love your work (and job).

[@markpfeifer1402]

@@andrejmichal4676 There are NO cheap new cars anywhere these days, so...

[@billplaschka9279]

At $86,000+CAD the AWD Buzz is not remotely an affordable price. The base is still $81,000CAD. A Jetta starts at $28,000CAD. A real van like an Odyssey or a Sienna will run $54,000-$64,000CAD. A Mustang GT starts at $52,000CAD. A WRX or Miata can be had for $35,000CAD. If you do apples to apples (ish) you can buy the Tesla Y performance for $79,000CAD or the Ioniq5N for $81,000CAD let alone their base models for $20,000 less. Yes, the price of vehicles has risen sharply but affordable cars can still be found. The Buzz is iconic looking but underneath its facade is a $50,000+CAD ID4…to be like the previous VW icons this needed to be a good deal as well.

[@no1DdC]

@@markpfeifer1402 There absolutely are. Mitsubishi Space Star/Mirage (available pretty much everywhere on Earth) comes to mind. No-frills motoring, perhaps the closest to the original VW Beetle you can get these days. Even looks half-decent after a few facelifts. In Europe, we have Dacia with a rather impressive range of serviceable cheap cars based mostly on older Renault platforms, including a very cheap (if a bit crappy) EV that is among the cheapest cars you can get in the developed world. In developing markets meanwhile, there are all sorts of stripped down versions of aged Western and Japanese models in addition to a handful of local specials (plus a new influx of Chinese cars, ranging from dubious to impressive). In the US, there are still simple compact cars like the Nissan Versa, which I doubt will ever go away. China has all sorts of funky cheap EVs that cost less than trim levels on mid-range Western cars and Japan remains covered in their tiny Kei cars. Even various African nations (in addition of the usual long-running suspects like South Africa and Egypt) are getting into car production now, with one approach being locally assembled Chinese knock-down kits (sadly, almost all of them are dishonestly advertised as entirely locally made) and the other indigenous 4x4s based on imported running gear. What I'm saying is: The cheap car is alive and well, being both a firm staple of the internal combustion engine present as well as having already made long strides into the EV future. I have absolutely no idea why anyone would claim otherwise.

[@PeterVieth]

@@billplaschka9279 Amen. The main reason I would get a newer car is the infotainment system... ok, Buzz fails there... main reason for a minivan would be to road trip... fail... or haul kids AND gear (it just does the people part). That could all be overlooked if it was affordable, but it's expensive.

[@stepan.poluianov]

Interestingly, how different the Volkswagen icons are for us, 30-40 yr olds in Europe: Golf 4, Passat B4 and B5 (Variant, of course!), Transporters T4 and T5. All beloved and still frequently seen on the streets.

[@servissop151]

In Romania the current icons are the Golf 4 and 5, passat b5 and b6, and yes, the t4 and t5. Although the pre 2.0tdi cars are slowly going away sadly, you can't find any without old towels on the seats and half of the plastics missing

[@ARCNA442]

I guess my question for the Europeans is why has VW done so well over there? Here in America, the segments you list are dominated by the Japanese. Did VW just survive in Europe because you kept the Japanese from competing?

[@nathanielpetersen8408]

In South Africa the icons are beetle, kombi, citi golf, golf, polo. Its always nr. 1 or nr.2 in sales.

[@ymtzlgn]

30yr old here, the clatter of the 1.9TDI is the sound of my childhood.

[@aritakalo8011]

Yeah and the whole "culture icon" thing is wholly different. Sure VW is iconic brand. But not iconic brand of weird outsiders, surfers, hippies, enthusiasts and so on. No it's identity is "it's the most middle class, mass population car there is. It's the normal family car. It's blandish, not exceptional in anything, except dependable good value for money, gets the job done without making too much fuzz about itself". Just want transportation from A to B for family without having any real special feelings about it in any direction, one probably ends up with VW and guess what "I just want a car, that is a car" *is a very large segment of the population* . It's "not uncomfortable", "not too expensive", "not too big", "not too small", "does not break down all the time", "not inconveniently slow". Here have a VW... single, couple or family? Polo, Golf, Passat.

[@immanuelo.9548]

Cammisa + Throttle House = Top Gear

[@MrStlvette]

Looks super cool, the price is insane! 62k -82k for a VW bus for families? Plus the dlrs will mark them up 10-20k…No thanks!

[@Bmwstephen]

christ Camissa and team did it again thanks to support from HAgerty! another great Icons production. BTW you really gotta give props to the sound guy at always picking the best soundtrack for the videos. Anyone curious at the song at 26:00: "Soothing Bliss" Jaco Prince and Levi Stark

[@johan5293]

I know the level of quality of Icons, but I wasn't prepared for this. I was smiling the whole episode, thank you guys! Jason and his whole production team are constantly beating all expectations! Fantastic picture, sound, editing, and music! If it were an Oscar nomination for the best KZbin video - there would be no contest after this.

[@eppyz]

The ID Buzz alone will not move VW forward. The starting price of this Van is over $60k US. Its a cool Van, but not obtainable by most Americans. What is hurting VW in the US is few things. 1. No Hybrid Options. Currently VW has NO Hybrid options available where most Manufacturers do. 2. Presumed Reliability Issues. Why is it that VW can't make a water pump seal that won't seep? It is VERY common knowledge in the VW community that the EA888 and other engines are known for seeping water pump gaskets and this has been an issue for well over a decade. VW why can't you fix this? 3. Trying too hard in the USA market. In the USA people remember VW as a fun brand that has always been kinda quirky, the only other brand that comes to mind that is similar to VW in this way is Subaru. You either love the brand or hate it. I find it so ironic that I still to this day get people telling me I drive Hitler's car, yet they are ok driving their Japanese cars? People forget the Japanese during the Great Wars were just as ruthless as any Nazi, want proof? Ask anyone from the Philippines and other Asian countries how Japan was. So to shake that image off, even after 75+yrs and people still say stuff like that? Is tough. 4 and Lastly, VW gambled on the EV push and Lost. People are not ready, nor can afford EV's won't even go into the infrastructure and such. That is a whole other story. VW should just focus on making Fun, RELIABLE, affordable cars. That is the ticket for a bright future.

[@baronvonjo1929]

I cant recall any quirky vibes from VW. All I known for them was very bland but nice interior cars. Never seen them do anything weird. Now I see them as very poorly made, extreme cost cutting, and very bland looking cars. Not to be rude. But the interiors are full of cost cutting these days. And the exteriors arent ugly. But just...there.

[@RobbieFitzgerald]

Hybrids are a waste of time. Old tech being revitalized with new tech. Its just a stepping stone to EVs that shouldve been phased out by now.

[@oskar6661]

Jesus...I thought it would start loser to $50K which was already laugh-out-loud....

[@DamianSheesh]

I came here to say about the same thing about the price. One of the primary reasons the New Beetle was successful was price. It was cute, different, bold - but it was also cheap. The starting MSRP was 15k. Parents were buying it for their kids and then looking at the upmarket models. At $65k (more likely 75 when optioned - paint is a grand for crying out loud), this bus is a novelty car. It might just be the undoing of VW rather than savior. Poor range, poor ergonomics, massive size and weight. Also, side note, my '15 GTI went through 3 water pumps before 50k...

[@eppyz]

@@DamianSheesh I agree with you. My MK6 GTI went through 4 dealer installed water pumps (gasket cannot be replaced alone its actually part of the water pump housing) in 50k miles. knock on wood my MK7.5 GTI that I have owned for 4 yrs is on the original one. It is just a matter of time till I will need one. Why oh Why VW can't you make a decent water pump seal. I love the Bus. I told my Family, finally an EV that I would actually consider buying. Then while at the dealer I asked what the base MSRP would be and was told BASE starts around $60k well there that I idea went right out the window. If you want a long range version with AWD it will be pushing $80k before options. That is crazy. Stuff like this?? Is very risky. Yes people will buy them but many people really can't afford them, so we will see how it plays out for VW. A huge Gamble in my book.

[@Car_Club.Anywhere]

I just found out about the vw id buzz cuz I found a tiny yellow in my 1:64 collection and DANG. THE PRODUCTION QUALITY IS SO GOOD. The body lines, the design and the safety. THE SAFETY. Is one lf the best safety crashes I've seen, well done engineers, as a person aiming to be one by studying their crafts that is METAL!

[@MrMarkOlson]

I wish VW would bring the ID.3 to the USA, or even something smaller. I love the ID.Buzz for the bus that it is. Bravo to VW for finally delivering it.

[@AthrunZalax09a]

I signed up for hagerty drivers club just to keep supporting Icons. Cammisa's way of showing not just the car as a simple review, but overarching picture and the cultural relevance behind the car in question is second to none. Plus, the storytelling is incredible. If I wanted a basic review, I'd go watch any one of a million videos. This was incredibly well done.

[@Pastronomer69]

24:15 nail on the head for the modern motor industry. People want a car which connects with them, from the family car to a supercar, it has to have identity and emotion. Sadly cars are made to make money, purely transportation devices devoid of emotion, which in the long run, ironically, are losing money for the car makers

[@CARfariPark]

Putting other KZbin automotive content to shame once again. The cinematography and scriptwriting is second-to-none right now. Absolutely stunning Icons episode. Well done team 👏🏻

[@wusup9988]

This car review is on another level! It was so fun to watch! Thank you for the extra effort!!

[@golftdibrad]

I love the subtitles. and everything else. Please dont quit.

[@jasonmoyer]

A day with a new Cammisa VW video is always a good day.

[@amani576]

My comment here probably won't be seen but I have to disagree with Jason's assertion that the I.D Buzz will "turn it around" for VW. I love the car. I want one. But I can't afford one. That's the problem. The I.D Buzz starts in the $50k range in the US and tops out in the 70's. That's not a peoples car. It's no Rabbit. It's not New Beetle. It's a Luxury EV wrapped in nostalgia. I hope it does well and maybe in a few years I can buy a used one for cheaper. But the car VW needed to bring over was the I.D 3. We desperately need cheap EV options in the US.

[@mediocreman2]

I agree, however, Volkswagen will still sell a ton of these.

[@faheemabbas3965]

Low range, high price. VW should try again unfortunately.

[@vogz10]

You do realize the average price of a new vehicle in the US is almost $49K, right? Plus this will likely qualify for a federal tax credit and state tax credits. There are already cheap EV options (Nissan Leaf, Mini Cooper, Hyundai Kona/Ioniq 5, 6, Chevy Bolt/Equinox. RWD Tesla Model 3) All these cars are well under the price of an average new car even before tax credits.

[@tru68vw-zu2bo]

Small correction the bus or T2 was not built on a beetle or T1 chassis/platform it was a unibody, not the beetles body on pan.

[@michaelconverse5127]

You are correct. And the Type 3 wasn’t either. The “Types” indicated a platform not a model. The type 1 qas the beetle, karmann Ghia, and Thing. The type 2 was the bus, pickup, camper, van-and as you stated it was unibody. The Type 3 shared the same wheelbase dimension as the Beetle but …a different suspension, subframe for the drivetrain, track, brakes, engine, transmission, fuel system, and was a considerably more refined car and a clear step up. It was offered in fastback, Notchback, squareback, and Karmann Ghia versions. The Ghia was very different than the type 1 version of the Ghia. The type 4 was also a unibody car and had very little on common with the type 1, 2, or 3 other than being rear engine and air cooled. It was a further step up , above the type 3, and was the first civilian vw to offer four doors. It also added crumple zones and a completely new engine and a roomy interior but dumpy styling and mediocre performance. It was replaced by the Passat B1 (Dasher in the USA )

[@mediocreman2]

Thanks for pointing that out. I was pretty confused when they said that in the video and I'm not even a VW expert. They really got that wrong.

[@CarsGarage]

Every episode is like a short movie.

[@elmerhot]

best production on the internet hands down!

[@chamaileon81]

My European mind cannot even start to comprehend, the fact that the new Beetle is what saved VW. Here, the thinking is reversed: the unrivaled success of the Golf, is what gave the chance to VW to make the Beetle.

[@creak92]

@@chamaileon81 saved VW from leaving the US market, not safed VW in itself which it absolutely didn't. Which financially probably would have been better for the company as a whole in the long term.

[@chamaileon81]

@@creak92 Yeah, this is what I meant. I believe Jason keeps stating many times, but is still is baffling how Americans perceive VW, in contrast to Europeans.

[@ARCNA442]

@@chamaileon81 As an American, the European perspective of VW is equally incomprehensible. To us, it's really only known for the Beetle/Bus (and GTI if you're an enthusiast), and then a bunch of unimaginative and unreliable generic cars that no one really wants.

[@aritakalo8011]

​@@ARCNA442 "unimaginative and unreliable generic cars that no one really wants" is instead in Europe is "unimaginative and reliable generic cars that generic families drive around in" and *generic families* is a big market segment. You want spice? VAG khajiit has Audi on offer, if customer has coin. That is another thing in Europe, I don't know whether Americans perceive. VW isn't VW. VW is VW, Seat, Skoda, Audi, Porsche .... .... .... Everyone knows and understand VW group is *a group* . It never falls or wins on single brand. Why don't Skoda offer X or why don't VW (badge) offer Y, because in the sales slice that segment belongs to Audi, Porsche or say Seat. "but but VW badge loses sales", doesn't matter. VW doesn't look at VW badge, VW looks at "does the group overall lose or win sales (while maintaining needed viable slice to each badge)".

[@joetz1]

Try to get your European mind around this: the golf is a total sales disaster in the US. In Europe it’s the car that saved VW. In North America, it’s the car that almost put them out of business here There is a huge difference in perception of the VW brand in the US and Europe. Jason’s point is that if you are going to make bland and boring cars with poor reliability, the customer is going to buy an Asian car every time.

[@pacheaco727]

The closest to old Top Gear. Thank you Jason, not all heroes get studio audiences.

[@GldVWisRR]

Yes! glad someone else gets that. I missed that of the three when they went elsewhere. Jason is doing it awesomely. If not, better.

[@Katsinum]

That was genuinely a pleasure to watch

[@MrLvzy_]

I'm not even a vw bus fan, but I watched every minute of this... Thank you Jason.

[@Simon-RucknRideAUD]

My first car was a 1979 VW Beetle and it went for years and was passed down to generations. My uncle’s had the VW Combi with the surf boards on the roof. I love it now bring back the VW Beetle

[@miketeeveedub5779]

Uh, a 6200lb electric minivan is not going to save VW. Neither are overpriced technical-terror cookie-cutter SUV electric vehicles. Sheesh, VW doesn't even want to sell the base Golf here anymore. WTH?! VW needs to truly rediscover its roots; make simple, cheap, stylish high quality family of vehicle. Something different from the rest of the pack. I don't see that happening in the next couple of years. RIP VW. BTW - PROUD owner of a Wolfsburg-built Mk1 VW Jetta GLI coupe. 40 years old, fun in the corners and still turns heads everywhere I go. Love that Squareback and Karmann Ghia too! Sigh...they say you can never go back...but it's nice to visit from time to time.

[@ARCNA442]

The problem is that VW has repeatedly proven that they can't compete with the Koreans and Japanese on price or quality, and trying to go upmarket runs into the problem of taking sales from Audi. So where else can they go?

[@tomfrance69]

Can you post pics of your Mk1Jetta GLI coupe? I'd love to see it. My first car was a 1987 Jetta coupe (non-GLI alas) and I miss it still to this day. It was a fun car on a twisty road.

[@miketeeveedub5779]

@@ARCNA442 - Absolutely! They can't compete. Then VW should fade away and go bankrupt. Who wants to buy a $70K electric minivan? Not me.

[@onandilewis3290]

Here for Jason

[@jibosnjak9840]

Masterpiece of journalism, film making, and storytelling. 🎉

[@antoniomarbez3967]

To Jason and the whole crew: Thank you so much, and my most sincere congratulations! This is not only a masterpiece, it's a MASTERCLASS. Best in class journalism coupled with also best in class production. Funny as hell, informative, didactical and fun. You deserve all praise and awards, and more! I'm so jealous of you driving such ICONS and having so much fun (knowing quite well all the hard work you put into making this kind of info/reviews/documentaries). This one and the Piëchisode deserve all the good energy of the world for you.

[@jgrywacheski]

Hagerty and Jason Cammisa put out the highest production value car review videos anywhere, not just KZbin, anywhere. Keep em coming.

[@_que]

I typically fwd the hagerty plug, but the smoke during it kept me entertained. JC and Team, another level. Enjoyed all of it. Great automotive story teller. Thank you.

[@kalhornia]

1:03 A van called Jynah? A.. Vanjynah? Hehe

[@lmc333]

VA G jYnah....

[@jay18394]

The VANjynah has been Jason's camera van (dodge caravan) for years now! He always says his Vanjynah is very spacious and cavernous, his Vanjynah fits a lot of people, ect. So many VANjynah puns on the Carmudgeon show.

[@sagarsurya1261]

Jason the best in business

[@ChrisJones-yh2os]

That’s it, I’m going to sign up for the hagerty drivers club, even though I don’t really want it, just to support Jason’s videos. They are on a completely different level than anything else. Entertaining, informative. They are epic car reviews. So good. Edit: just signed up.

[@danleicester6875]

Hi Hagerty, Jason, Anthony and the team should be commended yet again for their outstanding content, production value and flat out entertainment. I feel a certain Buzz when I see a new vid of theirs released. The satire based script has a certain ID or identity that can’t be replicated irrespective of the chassis it’s delivered on.

[@gogglespizzano6540]

Please continue making ICONS videos.

[@soumilakjana833]

6:00 The cyclist guy looks awfully similar to Vallteri Bottas

[@JoshuaTootell]

Looks like, but isn't.

[@enicaeduard]

@soumilakjana833 it is him. If you didn't know, cycling is one of his favourite activity

[@ShaiyanHossain]

the ID Buzz is too expensive for what should be a van $50-60k+ to go

[@cdangers]

It's the one thing this whole video missed. It's not even 50-60K. It technically starts at 60 but the one being driven in the video is 73K +tax.

[@tunanocrust2642]

absolutely it will fail because its so overpriced. And the other problem with ALL EVs is they all have no soul... Its not just basic EVs like the ID.4 that are soulless, Every tesla, ford or kia EV ive driven literally feels so boring and bland in drive. I think only the Ioniq N might have the closest thing to a soul for any EV that exists. And then you have the battery tech out dating problem, just like cell phones but thats another issue

[@Safety7th]

@@tunanocrust2642 That air cooled flat 4 was a beating heart.

[@ARCNA442]

@@tunanocrust2642 Because minivans are a segment known for having a ton of soul? No one buys cars because of some intangible "soul" other than a tiny number of enthusiasts looking for niche sports cars, and even then they usually choose something based more on performance and value than soul.

[@oskar6661]

And if it's claimed range is 231...that's 175-180 "true" driving...for $60K, in a van made to carry a lot of people...down the street?

[@jess_o]

Jason, you and Hagerty are making possibly the best automotive content on KZbin. Thank you, please keep at it

[@MrGmilton]

Better episodes than anything on TV, absolutely entertaining and informative. Bravo Jason and team.

[@gagedykstra8602]

Omg the intro had me laughing so hard😂

[@PMLRFC]

This video literally gave me the chills. And I'm not that into VWs nor am I American. You have really outdone yourselves this time. Jason Cammisa is fast becoming one of the greatest car jornalists in the world!

[@BFord-ho3pq]

I say this every time: Cammisa is the best automotive journalist (and presenter) out there.

[@sergiomessina2037]

The quality and content of your icons productions are above all other Auto reviews and content. I'd pay to watch your videos if I had to. Thank God I don't… Great job, Jason please keep them coming. 🎉😊

[@mcmobius1]

Driving the GTI barefoot at 15:16....ouch.

[@lmc333]

I do it quite often shifting my manual car ;) One with the car

@@lmc333 So why the winking smiley, you creep?

[@RaiderTheGhost]

I think this looks great, but just like the new NSX, this lauch has been teased for far too long. Then to come out with a product with lackluster range in 2024, and it's high base price is laughable. Volkswagen gives me GM vibes were they have a great idea but then handicap the final product. I still haven't brought up the laughably bad infotainment infotainment system or haptic buttons. To Hagerty and the corporate overlords. I listened to the Carmudegon podcast and heard how there was worry about all the pot references. It's 2024 and so many people partake. It's going to be okay. Excellent video and history lesson.

[@adityasingh1657]

More icons video, we are missing it for long time

[@carlover4239]

Literally the best car journalism since OG Top Gear. Respect.

[@jbrown5418]

This group continues to be the very best in automotive entertainment.

[@IM_Arcades]

That buzz is... 3 TONS?!

[@oskar6661]

Yep...we're going backwards in car design. All of this time/effort/money could have gone to making world class fuel-sipping ICE cars weigh less...and instead we opted for short-range, wildly expensive electric cars that can't cross certain public bridges due to weight...

[@JoshuaTootell]

Americans don't want light weight cars, I don't understand how people are so confused about that. Americans want tanks.