The Volkswagen Microbus is a vehicle that needs no introduction. Baby Boomers remember the VW bus as an icon of 1960s and 1970s counterculture. Around the time that the “hippie” was rising to prominence in the American zeitgeist, the German van was easy to find used at a good price, and its large side panels looked like the perfect canvas for artists hoping to express themselves and set their vehicle apart from the conformity of others on the road. But you don’t have to be “of a certain age” to be familiar with this model or its reputation. The VW bus has lived on in pop culture, not only gracing the backgrounds of films about Woodstock and period pieces from the era but literally taking on a life of its own in Pixar’s Cars, where an animated Microbus takes on the role of Fillmore, the town hippie of Radiator Springs.
With all of this cultural cachet, it’s no wonder that Volkswagen has decided to bring back the bus with a heaping helping of retro styling. But just because the new ID. Buzz has a classic look, that doesn’t mean it’s not keeping up with the times. After all, the counterculture has shifted since the 1960s and 1970s—these days, the young people hoping to change the world are much less likely to chain themselves to trees and more likely to drive efficient EVs. So what will this all-electric bus bring to the modern age, and how will it keep the spirit of its famous predecessor alive? Let’s dig in and take a look at the buzz on the ID. Buzz.
Retro Style
Volkswagen knows that one big reason for the enduring appeal of the original Microbus is its unique aesthetic. While the new ID. Buzz is by no means a replica of a VW bus from the 1970s, it does have plenty of elements inspired by its iconic predecessor. The oversized VW logos on the front and back are reminiscent of the ones on the Microbus, while the rear pillars have trim elements that are purely for show on this EV but are based on the functional vents that helped to cool the engine in the back of the original Microbus. To top off its exterior look, you can choose from a variety of paint colors, like vibrant yellow, orange, blue, or green. Most of these can be paired with a bright white roof for a retro, two-tone look.
Modern Electric Powertrain
While the look of the ID. Buzz is a throwback to the past, its powertrain has an eye toward a future where vehicles big and small are powered entirely by electricity. It rides on the same MEB platform used by Volkswagen’s first global EV, the ID.4 SUV. The ID. Buzz comes standard with a 91 kWh battery capable of DC fast-charging that powers either one or two motors, depending on whether you opt for rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Models with rear-wheel drive get a single motor that produces 282 hp, while those with all-wheel drive have a pair of motors that work together to produce 335 hp. While all-wheel drive models get more power, those with rear-wheel drive will get a longer range between charges. Official EPA figures aren’t out yet, but VW estimates that it will be somewhere in the ballpark of 260 miles.
Standard Features on the Base Pro S Trim
The entry-level trim of the ID. Buzz will be available exclusively with the rear-wheel drive powertrain, giving it the maximum possible range. It will also accommodate the maximum number of passengers, with standard bench seating that allows for up to seven people to ride in the van. Volkswagen has announced that the trim will come standard with a variety of tech features. The infotainment setup will include a 12.9-inch central touchscreen display and a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the wheel. Drivers will be able to connect their smartphones to the system wirelessly and charge them up wirelessly. A 30-color ambient lighting system is also standard, which is a bit out of the ordinary but makes sense in a vehicle that’s marketing itself so heavily based on its aesthetics. Mood lighting may be a newer feature, but it’s one that’s in line with the flower-power vibe of the Microbus.
Plenty of people appreciate a retro aesthetic, but when it comes to safety features, most drivers prefer modernity. Volkswagen knows this and has loaded the ID. Buzz up with plenty of standard safety and driver assistance features. This includes by-now familiar features like automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control, as well as some less-common features like Travel Assist (which combined adaptive cruise control and automatic lane centering). Park Assist Plus can automatically determine if a parking space is big enough to accommodate the vehicle and then automatically park for you. Since both of these tasks can be particularly difficult in a large van like the ID. Buzz, including this feature as standard fare is a smart move on Volkswagen’s part. It may go a long way to sway potential customers who like the idea of extra interior space but are nervous about the consequences of having a bulky exterior.
Upgrades to the Pro S Plus Trim
The Pro S Plus trim can be had with either rear bench seating or a pair of captain’s chairs that bring total passenger capacity down to six but increase individual passenger comfort. As you might expect, this trim has more standard tech features. These include a head-up display projected onto the lower windshield for quicker access to information, an Area View function that uses multiple cameras to give you a 360-degree view of the area around the van, and a Harman/Kardon premium audio system that produces better sound quality than the standard speakers.
The Pro S Plus also boasts a retractable tow hitch that can be completely hidden behind the rear bumper when not in use. However, we don’t yet know how much the ID. Buzz can tow. We do know that towing continues to be a weak point for all-electric powertrains, even as they start to power full-size pickups and large SUVs. If you are interested in towing, be sure to keep an extra close eye on your battery since towing heavy loads can lower an EV’s range significantly.
Available features for this trim level include a “Flexboard,” which lets you create a flat floor all the way to the back of the van when the seats are folded. Underneath, there’s space to store a pair of fabric bins, which come included with the Flexboard. Up top, there’s an available panoramic glass roof that can switch between clear and opaque.
Exclusive Additions to the 1st Edition Trim
To hype up the debut of the ID. Buzz, Volkswagen is adding a top-tier trim that will be exclusive to the launch. Aptly called the 1st Edition, this trim comes standard with a two-tone exterior. The exterior also features unique 20-inch wheels, exclusive badging, and roof rail cross bars for storing cargo up top. Inside, it comes standard with the panoramic glass roof, 360-degree camera views, Harman/Kardon premium sound system, Flexboard, and easy-open functionality for the sliding doors and tailgate.
How to Get Your Hands on an ID. Buzz
If this blend of retro and futuristic strikes your fancy, you may be wondering if you can get on a reservation list for the ID. Buzz. However, Volkswagen has seen reservation systems cause troubles in the past, so while you can sign up to stay updated on the model, you can’t sign up to set one aside for yourself. That’s probably for the best since there are so many important details that have yet to be released to the public. If you’re still interested after the price and range are revealed, you’ll want to keep in touch with your local dealer since VW expects demand to be significantly higher than supply.
