VW ID. Buzz Review - can it live up to the hype?

[@darrenaitcheson795]

Thank you for being one of the few reviewers who actually bothers to mention whether CarPlay and AA are wireless or not.

[@dt8101]

The whole centre console should be a refrigerator. Since the centre console is removable, a 3rd party manufacture should offer a refrigerator as an accessory which can fit nicely between the seats.

[@talktorobi]

Great idea

[@jonevansauthor]

I was surprised it wasn't at least a proper cool box with a stowable lid. Selling removable/upgradeable features like this should be a key component of their income going forward since the vehicles don't need servicing. But you're right, you absolutely could put all sorts of things in there. A tech charging station, camping battery, games console for the kids in the back (presumably with a space for vomit bags?). :D Honestly, I'm amazed the engineers were allowed to do anything even as simple as this.

[@LeytonW1974]

At £60k it's hardly capturing the spirit of the original Camper which was so successful because it offered cheap transportation with versatile practicality. This is a luxury vehicle and like many other EVs are just too far out of the reach of most people. And another 2 year plus wait for an actual Camper version or 7 seater? Why didn't they launch with those models ready to go. It does look nice though.

[@zappybazinga8124]

Given it’s an EV and given it’s size and features it’s not a bad price, when you think an Audi E tron which is just a bog standard electric suv costs £61k and for something you would actually buy is 70-80k. Not that I disagree the prices of EVs are just out of scope for many. However the ID Buzz is probably the best EV on the market. One that actually makes sense and takes real advantage of the electric drive.

[@columcreaven8860]

Should be rich-volks-wagon.

[@DerpEye]

@@zappybazinga8124 Well, except you can buy a comparably similar in size VW Caddy Maxi (7 seater) for half the price of the ID, and with the ever rising electricity prices in europe, it's probably even cheaper to run too with its diesel engine.

[@zappybazinga8124]

@@DerpEye Well yes but firstly as I said every EV has a crazy premium for it. It’s just the way it is. The caddy is also a completely different market to the Buzz. Buzz is trendy, it’s in Star Wars ads, it’s got a retro meets new age vibe. People want one. They desire one even. Nobody, has ever desired a caddy.

[@nordfresse]

@@zappybazinga8124 Exactly, the whole marketing for this ev is just disingenuous because it is exploiting the legend of an affordable, practical people mover that enabled normal people to go on holiday which they otherwise may not have been able to do. Thats what all the affection for the old bully came from. Using that to sell a new model that shares nothing but the optics with the original concept is really off-putting to me. But it will be perfect to take to "Burning Man".

[@jonathantaylor1998]

Honestly, Tish... You absolutely crack me up...!! "Amendities"...??? 🤣

[@conogrady9254]

Another great review from Buzz Light Tish!😉

[@AutoSocialUK]

To infinity and beyond!

[@standupmoto]

Well done Tish, your reviews are very interesting and well presented.

[@AutoSocialUK]

Thank you so much, I am glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@paulwright5728]

They need to seriously reduce the cost to under £40k, the range needs to be a true 300miles with heating/aircon on etc so you can do an East Anglia to Birmingham trip & back without charging as that is about a days driving. Plus why oh why are electric car manufacturers obsessed with touchscreens. I want a simple set of heating & fan settings that I can change without looking at the screen whilst driving at 70mph. It’s dangerous & if fiddling with your smart phone whilst driving is a £70 fine so should going through your 3rd submenu to change from radio2 to radio1 which is ridiculous.

[@kesgreen4639]

Indeed. You just have to look at aircraft controls. They have screens, but also dials, switches and buttons because they're safer.

[@theunknownunknowns256]

Tish if you find anyone has a camper conversation of the Buzz you should definitely do a episode on that. 😊 It would make a very cool pop-up camper! And the pop-up roof means it can still be a daily roundabout.

[@Beorn.]

I think someone such as Bigwave campers could do a decent conversion and you could ditch the awful recycled plastic seats and trim for a decent leather.

[@dredzone911]

Nice video. Great van. Just picked up my 2024 1st Edition this week. Loving it 😍

[@MrKymPossible]

My first car was a Kombi. I would love an ID Buzz to get back to that style of driving, but with a bit more get up and go. However, I think it is going to be a long time before we see them down under.

[@mattng4707]

Awesome review

[@markshellard]

Excellent perspective from Tish how really enjoys VW. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@JBthemanwithcars]

I pre-ordered a 1st Edition a few months ago and it is scheduled for a week 40 build. Even though I’m a petrolhead, the ID.Buzz excites me.

[@glennoc8585]

Good to see vw haven't abandoned the van/camper design. I had air cooled bugs in my youth and as fun as they were the seals would leak after a few years. I'd pass on an old air cooled camper even though they look great

[@robertlelliott7363]

Excellent well presented review. Many thanks.

[@tretawdynature]

Interesting review. You said about Vehicle to Grid but when are we going to see it in the UK? Is there are charging point for the domestic market that allows this?

[@officialyasir]

Shout out to the editor for the perfect little hilarious clip inserts!!

[@darkroastlefty2803]

In Jun of 2022, we met the German engineering team consisted of ID.4s and German TDI sports wagons at an Electrify America charging station in Quartzsite AZ. They were working on autonomous driving so it's definitely coming.

[@b1denison]

Great video, love the buz! Hope the prices will come down eventually!

[@rickidango8969]

Excellent all rounded reviews. I always like your videos because you always give the disadvantages of the car you test.

[@Electroheads]

Thanks Ricki!

[@Raspikabekk]

Excellent review. Pity the missing 3 Isofix points. I'll have to choose an alternative or wait the long version+ fixes about that.

[@philipwoodford6286]

Great review - I love the buzz and only 30 days till I need to order a new lease car to replace my current EV, and this is at the top of the pile, even at £60k this is going to sell so I’m Not looking forward to the delivery time ! I just can’t decide on which colour as it does look great in all black too 😊

[@IntaminFanboy]

I’d love to have one of these - except, as pointed out by Fully Charged, the rear ventilation seems to be seriously lacking. I’m hoping this is addressed in the US long-wheelbase model, but if not, that’d be a big sticking point with me given that I’d want it as a family vehicle.

[@RobinThomson277]

bring on Tish & Eilish's road trip extravaganza!!!!!! What a fab sounding car! If only VW had been brave enough to not even offer it in plain silver.

[@Flyingtwiglet]

Climate control can be accessed from the screen day and night just by touching the temperature. It's fine. The buttons are supplementary controls that I've almost never used.

[@DerpEye]

Or, like in normal cars, just push a damn button or turn a knob without even looking at it. God damn i hate this touchscreen bullshit.

[@electroplank587]

Brilliant Review, vehicle looks awesome, price is steep but to be expected at these times. not the type of car I'm looking for but still good to see segments being accounted for. Good work Tish 👌

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Review. One of the best Electric MPVs

[@richardbradley2641]

Yep' i'll just sell the wife and kids oh and the house to go and buy one!! 56K for a fecking car in a world wide recession?

[@garyheavens2389]

Great video Tish as always. I am not a fan of Buzz but that said it could grow on you. The rear reminds me of the old VW vans and the front does look a bit like the original vans. Keep up the great work.

[@carlobi]

Nice how you coordinated your outfit with the vehicle.

[@TheClimbex]

Your thumbnail gave me a good laugh, since I watched Car Maniac's video this morning 😂

[@SamIAm-kz4hg]

Do I want one? Yes. But there are too many things that aren't right.

[@renebergqvist599]

Well been "living" with the ID.3 for almost 2 years and 95000 km. The user interface does not win you over - it is so deeply bugged. Recently it randomly sets the temperature and the seat heating. It actually renamed it Christine now. You would expect VW to take care of their products.... Not happening this week it is going ib for the 4th time to solve the same problem....

[@jonevansauthor]

Don't worry, now that Diess is gone, I'm sure things will improve at Volkswagen and they'll embrace electric vehicles and high quality software and you know, emissions standards. :D I've seen quite a few owners comment that they like the vehicles but not one has said the software is anything but a disgrace.

[@lanceareadbhar]

The good news is that all can be patched eventually.

[@jonevansauthor]

@@lanceareadbhar there's no reason to expect it will be - reviewers have been saying the ID system is awful for years so they clearly have no intention of changing it. Yes, they could. But they could also have gone fully electric thirty years ago and didn't.

[@briangriffiths114]

I recently watched another EV channel where the host got rid of his ID3 prematurely because of similar issues and replaced it with a pre-owned Tesla, which he says is a huge improvement.

[@Flyingtwiglet]

I have a newer one with software V3.0 and have no issues, so hopefully yours will be sorted soon.

[@BMWHP2]

Nice VW Buzz, it is indeed a mix from the old en very new. The quallity seems to be up to VW high standard. BUT, for that price, We will wait for the Xbus, that is due to be on the market in about 8 month. A bit smaller, less luxioury, but standard with solar panels AND less than half the price. 9 models starting from €18.500 up to the Camper version at around €30.000. We probably coulld buy 3 x the Xbus for 1 VW Buzz.

[@kalebdaark100]

Yes, if the Xbus does most of what they said it will do, I'm hoping to get the money together for an Xbus myself. This ID.BUZZ seems very nice and all but £57k starting price for what's really a nicely decorated van seems somewhat excessive to me.

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

I hate to say this but I'm not normally a VW fan, but the Buzz is changing my mind. It looks great and I love that they've kept the brighter colours too. So tired of variations of grey in car colour schemes.

[@puttothetest]

I like the smile in the bumper but why did they keep the angry headlamps? Miss the old circular headlamps on VWs.

[@Flyingtwiglet]

Do I want one in my garage? YES! got one on order. :D. But let's get real, VERY few cars these days can fit in a garage, and allow you to get out of it. Isn't it time building regs caught up with the dimensions of a modern car. It would help reduce some on street parking.

[@lepusmalignis1628]

So your drive test took place in a different ID.Buzz? Or did they replate it for the road?

[@laboratorijkzolovran7276]

it's fabulous

[@michaelgoode9555]

The climate control and infotainment panel was key to us rejecting an iD3. I don't think that I have ever been in a vehicle where you cannot see basic heating / climate controls at night. Frankly it's a mess. Nothing wrong with illuminated controls even if the design ethos moves away from independent switches and knobs. VW have somehow missed the point here and doesn't know how to backtrack on it's mistake.

[@joewilson4436]

We were looking at an ID4 and liked a lot about it - especially the seats - but went with a Kia EV6 because the infotainment system in the VW was so bad. We test drove everything in this class/price range and the VW was by far the worst. The controls they put in these ID products belong in ~$25K cars, so it's really hard to justify it when they show up in vehicles costing twice that much

[@briangriffiths114]

This is an issue that is repeated on many modern cars and it is a pity that it does affect what is a very handsome looking vehicle even though I will always prefer the original!

[@Flyingtwiglet]

I have an ID3 with V3 software. The heating controls can be accessed with one touch on the screen where the temp is displayed - no different to a Tesla in that respect. YOU DON'T NEED TO USE THE BUTTONS and therefore it's fine at night. Clearly none of the testers have driven VW's at night, read the manual, or had a steer from VW. It's not perfect, but it's fine. The most annoying thing is the touch steering wheel controls - brush it with your thumb and it'll jump tracks, radio stations or podcasts. They should need a physical press.

[@chrispenn715]

I have absolutely no need for one of these - but I really really like it 🙂

[@turbogeek.421]

Unless I've missed it, you didn't mention that the rear windows can't be rolled down.

[@MichaelPanzer]

I think the climate control thing with the illumination is not wrong but in the other hand you'll put it on a temperature and leave it there and let the car do the rest. We have the ID3 and I basically never change anything about the temperature.

[@jamesgrover2005]

Looks great, although now I'm worried there are people that actually love vehicle manufacturers

[@jonevansauthor]

Yeah. It does smack of fandom, which I'm not sure is a great idea for companies. It's pretty dodgy with human beings. Still, it's not like Volkswagen ever did anything that in a human being would be described as sociopathic, is it? (for anyone whose had their head in the sand, this is a sarcastic reference to the diesel emissions scandal)

[@dugfriendly]

Yes please!

[@ShadVonHass]

Heck yeah been waiting for this!! Can't believe I got here so quick

[@PeterPanQuails]

I like how the second row seat when folded is fully flat, and can be sleep on it.

[@MrSmitheroons]

Interesting comment about the three child seats. For such a big vehicle, I imagine they'd fit easily if they had designed for it! I hope EVs have a good offer for those who need the three child seats soon if there isn't one already.

[@CaroAbebe]

I’d love to own an ID. Buzz if it wasn’t so expensive.

[@hl9252]

I actually really enjoyed your review thanks

[@someguy9520]

Ah yes. The times when the Touran was the best seller The vehicle when ya have a family/haul stuff or pretty much anything else except looking cool Its cheap, the diesel engines are really efficient and its at 4.6m not that big, yet has big ass cargo capacity. With a sporty set of KW coilovers you can even move it quite competently through the bends. Some 17" 225/45 tires and it even looks mildy sporty I love my Touran

[@MarcosBernal]

It hasn't been updated in 6 years and it's still the best compact MPV!

[@keithreynolds]

So, with my curmudgeon hat on... not as practical seats as a Berlingo type then? I love the looks, but expensive when compared to other options. Need the Berlingo type vans to have over 200 miles range. I measure by "can I drive to Bristol, from home and back without charging". Thanks Tish and team. K ( :

[@mrdot1126]

the original car wasnt cheap but affordable, thus it turned into the cult car.... this was made as a modern successor, banking on the cult status, but the price point is way out there, this is for the upper middle class... its not the same target demographic anymore..

[@kesgreen4639]

I think a lot of vehicle manufacturers are going to have to lower their prices over the next few years. Are there really enough rich people to buy these?

[@DerpEye]

@@kesgreen4639 Many people nowadays just lease their cars, since nobody can afford one anymore. Seriously, 35k euros for a Golf? They're out of their mind. But many would consider eating less but to drive an expensive (leased) vehicle.

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

Nice review niece Tish. The ID Buzz is quite a versatile electric minivan. I’d take the version with the third row that is coming later. In the US, they will only get the long wheelbase version with a third row, but that won’t arrive until 2024 for their market. They won’t get the commercial version cos of the chicken tax law they have, but I am thinking the ID Buzz commercial version may be sold in Mexico in the future.

[@MrKlawUK]

I’m surprised it doesn’ thave an option in this model - looks like there would be space in the rear if you’re willing to compromise cargo space when in three row mode?

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

@@MrKlawUK This is the short wheelbase version. The long wheelbase model which is coming later will have the third row.

[@youxkio]

5:07 Oh my!!!!!! I blushed, Miss. What do you want me to do? 😊🥰😇😁

[@roadstoridenorwaydriving101]

gorgeous 😎👌

[@nosmoking7851]

I'm bying one for sure!

[@SquidandCatAdventures]

I would like them to steal the settings ideas from Tesla: a one touch "camping mode" that maintains an even temperature overnight and a pet mode for short periods where you want to leave the pet in the climate controlled van. I would enjoy two captains chairs in the front to swivel around for camping. I also would have liked a small fold out table in the centre console. The sun roof (and the backlit sliders) has been added to the long wheel base version now which is great (though I think a solar panel version would also be great).

[@JV57JAY]

No sting....... Apart from the price

[@michaellippmann4474]

What do I think? I think it looks FANTASTIC! I would love one....probably will not see them here in Canada for a while! Mike 🇨🇦 🍁 👍

[@The-Salty-Bager]

Great vehicle and great review, I hope the predictive adaptive cruise is better than in the ID3

[@TheJAMF]

@1:30 If I were buying one, I would see if there was an aftermarket option to remove the light bar, just to make it look more like the version we saw on the Californian beach.

[@paulcullen814]

Nice looking vehicle. I was wondering if the front seating from the ID Cargo would fit into the ID Buzz? That way you would have the original 3 seats in the back, then 3 seats in the front, making it a 6 seater like the Fiat Multipla (but one that actually looks good unlike the Fiat).

[@CocoNut2018]

Love it if it comes as a hybrid so that it can be driven to remote places in Canada.

[@raveuk7656]

Is it Level 4 autonomous?

[@marks-0-0]

I'd choose green too but the solid option to keep it dare i say understated. Also I'd wait a while to see if they bring out a Kombi van version with windows and removable seats so i could have the best of both worlds.

[@CRAZYCR1T1C]

Your info about the charger onboard is wrong. With DC charging the charger is in the station. The onboard charger is for AC charging and will be rated a lot lower than 170kw.

[@gap9992]

Good review Easy to get up to £70k if you want nice paint and a good spec. "Das Auto der Reichen Leute" isn't as catchy as Volkswagon. Does Reichenvolkswagon work?? lol

[@harveytheparaglidingchaser7039]

Eye watering price, nice van, there seem to be a lot of people with a lot of money

[@tobiasosterberg]

It's pretty but 2024? I've already got a Peugeot e-Rifter in my garage, with seven individual seats.

[@oliverstemp9132]

Doesn’t go as far

[@tobiasosterberg]

@@oliverstemp9132 well the Buzz goes nowhere until 2024 If you want 7 seats.

[@williammillard687]

Can it do v2x? (can it power your devices as well as 'the grid')

[@jashanbadoga4851]

Video editor is a good memer too.

[@oplkfdhgk]

8:28 are you sure you are not mixing this with the fabric they are using that i think is made out of those same things?

[@oliverstemp9132]

The Life model has a black interior, might be the better choice. Other than that I love it and is probably my favourite EV.

[@paultodd9301]

Love it, but it's lacking opening rear windows which are vital if any passengers suffer from travel sickness, air-con is not a patch on a cool breeze when you feel like vomiting.

[@johnnysmile01]

I love this green and the lime Yellow color 💚💛 i want One but i can't afford One 😔😢

[@Vegesaurus7]

Yep definitely would love one of these!

[@greyareaRK1]

I love the look, but considering their history and the results of the ID4 teardowns, I'd want to see a teardown of this one.

[@e-trippingwithadamgebbett8024]

Oh yes. Looks good in two tone. Small overall size for easy parking. And it looks like the Mystery Mahine from Scooby doo. What's not to like.

[@robbrady4649]

Sorry Tish, it's definitely not for me. £60,000 for what is a five seat hatchback is far too much for most families as we head into a cost of living crisis. VW is leaning very heavily on nostalgia to shift this - and the Buzz has nothing in common with the original bus/camper van except for the badge on the front and the two-tone paintwork. Perhaps when they introduce more variants the comparison may be a little more justified, but they will inevitably cost more too.

[@buddy1155]

Lots of people disagree, it is sold out far into next year. By people who haven't even driven or seen it in the flesh.

[@DerpEye]

@@buddy1155 It is sold out? Yes. Half of that are commercial vehicles sold to businesses. The other half, is like what, 6000 units? That's frankly laughable, considering the overall market. Mostly bought by people with more money than common sense.

[@buddy1155]

@@DerpEye Dude that was over 2 weeks ago before anyone was able to drive the car. My local dealer has now over 200 orders, just one single dealer!

[@zzkeokizz]

We had 2 bugs. My uncle Frank had a bus. Aaaaahhh the ‘70’s

[@grayone321]

On looks alone it scores high. Wonder when the California comes out with a mega battery for overnights.

[@neilbrandon]

Is it too wide for the U.K. roads and parking? No love for VW who only give 3 years warranty in the U.K., compared to 5 in other countries. It does look great though.

[@philblack52]

The price is a huge disappointment.

[@oliverstemp9132]

It’s the same price as a Multivan

[@alexmckenna1171]

It's a large SUV. It's a Truck. It's a Van! Should sell rather well to the affluent.

[@garymason7]

The actual camper version will be interesting to see. They should have loads of cool, space saving ideas.

[@stevezodiac491]

You will need them for a car sized van, which would be ideally sized for dwarfs who like to cuddle.

[@garymason7]

@@stevezodiac491 That suits me then. It will probably be a longer wheelbase.

[@DerpEye]

It'll be smaller (and basically useless) than the existing VW minivan, and will cost as much as a small apartment, being electric. Also with that range, the only place you'll be camping are charging stations.

[@zzkeokizz]

Clean it up with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser . Or what I’d do - I’d spray camping waterproofer in the inside. Then you can wipe all the dirt and mess away.

[@-d7433]

I want one in my garage!!

[@BrockMcLellan]

My wife ordered a yellow and white version, with white interior the first day these were offered for sale in Norway. What I was not aware of, and something you did not bring up, was that the windows do not open for passengers sitting in the second row. This is definitely a minus, but probably not a deal breaker. As drivers in our seventies, we are hoping for as many autonomous driving features as possible to extend our driving life, especially since we live in a rural location 13 km away from the municipal centre. Since we only buy a vehicle once every ten years, this will be our last vehicle purchase, unless the ownership experience turns into an absolute disaster. I agree with many others that lighted control buttons are to be preferred.

[@geoffcampbell7846]

Nice looking vehicle, but so expensive, and how much will it cost to fit new batteries once they become less efficient? Not sure it will have the longevity of the more conventional vans. Way too expensive for the average family.

[@7fink7]

you have good colour taste

[@larsgustafsson9128]

This w liftkit, 4x4, broaded wheel arches, big offroad tires

[@just4therecord]

61K is too much for a box with wheels

[@iamanempoweredone6064]

Price?

[@hanyasamsung1536]

VW should put V2L and camping mode on this id buzz... that would be awsome ultimate camping ev.. .. because this car is mostly use for long trip or long holiday interstate or across europe

[@StephenEtherington]

I have 3 young kids and I recently had a Sharan, not having 3 individual seats in the rear is a deal breaker. With them not designing a new sharan I have moved to the 5008. Shame.

[@bestofalllife]

No is not.. looks like a bad joke compared with T7🤦(interior).. keep up with good work 👏🥂

[@wayneheyes904]

I hope you can get a black interior option the white puts me off it’ll mark and stain easily Shame there isn’t a £20-£25k version

[@DerpEye]

For that price you'll probably be able to buy just the battery.

[@wayneheyes904]

@@DerpEye exactly ! EV’s are not the way forward

[@jashanbadoga4851]

Eilish is 6ft? 😮

[@anthonywatkins2783]

Just love it BUT price is an issue for me I’m afraid.