Volkswagen bus fans, and classic car lovers alike, have eagerly awaited the revival of an icon: the Vw Bus. For decades, the VW Bus, or “hippie van” as it’s affectionately known, has symbolized freedom, adventure, and a unique automotive spirit. Now, Volkswagen has delivered a modern interpretation, the all-electric ID. Buzz, blending nostalgic charm with cutting-edge technology. As a car expert at cardiagnosticnearme.com, I got behind the wheel of this exciting new vehicle to see if it lives up to the hype and how it caters to today’s drivers.
The anticipation for an electric VW Bus has been building for over two decades. VW initially teased the concept in 2001, shortly after the successful reboot of the Beetle. After years of waiting, the ID. Buzz finally debuted in Europe in 2022, generating significant buzz (pun intended). Now, a slightly larger version has arrived in the United States, and Volkswagen provided me with a week-long test drive to experience it firsthand.
My personal history with VW buses runs deep. Like many enthusiasts, I’ve owned and cherished these vehicles. Our family’s journey included trusty Vanagons and a 2002 Eurovan, which served us faithfully for years until its recent retirement. The absence of a VW bus in our driveway for the first time in thirty years felt significant. Then, seemingly out of the blue, the lemon-yellow, two-tone ID. Buzz arrived, parking itself in our usual spot as if it had always belonged, like a familiar friend returning home.
Alt text: Lemon yellow and white Volkswagen ID. Buzz parked in a suburban driveway, showcasing its retro-futuristic design.
Initially, I approached the ID. Buzz with a degree of skepticism. Electric vehicles (EVs), while technologically advanced, can sometimes feel less engaging to drive. The typical EV experience often lacks the tactile feedback and driver involvement that many car enthusiasts appreciate. However, the ID. Buzz proved to be a delightful surprise. It’s not just an EV; it’s an experience. Driving it feels akin to piloting a spaceship, but in the most enjoyable way possible. As a young car enthusiast, Gefen, aptly put it after a ride, “It’s just like your Eurovan, except it runs,” highlighting the reliability upgrade in this electric reincarnation.
To truly understand the ID. Buzz, I decided to put it through its paces with a series of informal tests and comparisons, starting with a spontaneous drag race against a classic car. Gefen, a young car aficionado with a collection of vintage vehicles including a quirky 1972 Saab Sonett, was the perfect competitor. While the ID. Buzz boasts a robust 282 horsepower and a brisk zero-to-sixty time of around six seconds, Gefen’s beloved Sonett, with its modest 65 horsepower, is, in his own words, “unable to get to sixty.” Despite the obvious power disparity, the race was more about the spirit of fun and the contrast between automotive eras.
Alt text: Side-by-side comparison of a tangerine-colored 1972 Saab Sonett and a modern minivan, emphasizing the size and design differences across generations of vehicles.
Before the impromptu race, we discussed the spirit of automotive challenges, drawing inspiration from shows like “Top Gear.” While replicating Jeremy Clarkson’s daredevil stunts wasn’t on the agenda, the idea of a friendly drag race seemed like a fitting tribute to the show’s playful approach to car reviews. The chosen venue was a quiet stretch of two-lane road, just past a local synagogue, adding a touch of everyday suburban backdrop to our automotive experiment.
The night of the race had an amusing prelude. As we navigated through the synagogue parking lot to reach the starting line, the unexpected crowd for a Tuesday evening prompted Gefen to ask, “Why so many people here?” The answer, “Hebrew school,” brought back nostalgic memories of family carpool chaos, specifically a humorous recollection of cramming “like, fourteen kids into the Eurovan” after a bar mitzvah celebration. This anecdote underscored the VW Bus’s history as a vehicle synonymous with community and shared experiences.
Lined up side-by-side, the vibrant lemon-yellow Buzz contrasted against the tangerine Sonett. With Yona, Gefen’s brother, acting as the race official via speakerphone, the countdown commenced. Despite a moment of pre-race jitters about the legality and impromptu nature of the event, the competitive spirit took over. “Three! Two! One!” Yona called out, and the electric power of the ID. Buzz unleashed. The result? In my own words, “I smoked them.” The ID. Buzz’s instant torque and electric acceleration left the vintage Sonett far behind, showcasing the impressive performance capabilities of the new electric VW Bus.
Beyond the playful drag race, I wanted to gauge real-world opinions on the ID. Buzz, so I took it to local automotive experts. My first stop was Good News Garage, the legendary workshop of Ray Magliozzi, one half of the iconic “Car Talk” duo, Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers. Ray, ever the car connoisseur, gave the Buzz a thorough inspection. His initial reaction to the plush interior and massage seats was humorous skepticism, “This is pretty swanky.” However, during a test drive, even Ray begrudgingly admitted, “This thing does fly, though,” acknowledging the impressive performance despite his affinity for older, simpler VW buses. His preference leans towards the classic air-cooled models from the late 60s and early 70s, considering models after 1972 to be “a pain in the neck,” reflecting the common sentiment among vintage VW purists regarding the later, water-cooled models.
Alt text: Automotive expert Ray Magliozzi, of “Car Talk” fame, carefully examining the interior of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, assessing its features and design.
Next, I visited Boston Volkswagen to get a dealer’s perspective. The general manager expressed considerable enthusiasm for the ID. Buzz, stating he could “sell hundreds” if supply allowed. However, initial allocations were limited to just forty-eight vehicles, highlighting the high demand and constrained availability of this sought-after electric van. This limited supply, coupled with a starting price around sixty thousand dollars, quickly escalating with options like sunroof and all-wheel drive, places the ID. Buzz in a premium price bracket. Ray Magliozzi himself questioned the market viability at that price point, asking, “Do you think people are going to buy it? Not for sixty-five thousand dollars.”
The ID. Buzz experience wasn’t without minor hiccups. A service visit became necessary when a sliding door malfunctioned, getting stuck wide open on a particularly cold day. This incident, while inconvenient, added a touch of humor to the test drive, prompting a friend to jokingly propose a new VW motto: “Our E.V. van brings you closer to the great outdoors, whether you want it or not.” This lighthearted moment acknowledged the occasional quirks that can accompany even the most modern vehicles, reminiscent of the endearing, if sometimes temperamental, nature of classic VW buses.
To assess the range and road-trip capability of the ID. Buzz, advertised at around 230-250 miles, I embarked on a drive to John’s Car Corner in Westminster, Vermont. John’s Car Corner is renowned as a veritable VW bus graveyard, a treasure trove of vintage Volkswagen vehicles. John Hamill, the 84-year-old owner and a lifelong VW enthusiast, has owned over 2700 cars and driven Vanagons daily since 1966. His passion for Vanagons, particularly his favorite red 1990 model, is infectious. “Every day, I wake up, and I think, I get to drive my Vanagon today, and I am happy,” he shared, encapsulating the enduring appeal of these vehicles.
Alt text: John Hamill, owner of John’s Car Corner, standing amidst a collection of classic Volkswagen buses in his Vermont junkyard, showcasing his lifelong passion for VW vans.
John had never seen the ID. Buzz before my visit. Taking him for a ride, I was keen to get his seasoned VW enthusiast perspective. He noted the resemblance to a Toyota Sienna but acknowledged, “He could see the bus in the bones.” This observation speaks volumes about the ID. Buzz’s design, successfully capturing the essence of the classic VW bus while adopting a modern form. Interestingly, even at John’s remote Vermont location, the ID. Buzz attracted attention. A passing lady offered to buy it on the spot, echoing the frequent inquiries I received throughout the week – at parking lots, taco stands, and even at home, with people knocking on the door to ask, “You willing to sell that?” This consistent public interest underscores the ID. Buzz’s undeniable curb appeal and the enduring fascination with the VW Bus legacy.
Conclusion:
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is more than just an electric vehicle; it’s a successful reincarnation of an automotive icon. It masterfully blends the nostalgic charm of the classic VW Bus with the performance and technology expected in a modern EV. While the price point may be a barrier for some, the ID. Buzz delivers a unique and enjoyable driving experience that captures the spirit of adventure and community associated with the original VW Bus. For VW bus enthusiasts and new generations alike, the ID. Buzz is a compelling and exciting vehicle that successfully drives the legend into the electric future. As we at cardiagnosticnearme.com continue to follow automotive innovations, the VW ID. Buzz stands out as a significant and delightful step forward, proving that electric vehicles can be both practical and full of character.
