2023 Volkswagen ID. Buzz: The Electric Van You've Been Waiting For

The 2023 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is more than just a retro-inspired electric van. It's a versatile, spacious, and fun-to-drive vehicle that offers attractive private leasing prices from $750 per month. Volkswagen has a long and rich history of making vans, from the classic Microbus to the modern Transporter. But none of them have been as exciting or futuristic as the 2023 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, the brand's first electric van and the latest addition to its ID family of EVs.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is based on the MEB platform, which also underpins the Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback and the Volkswagen ID.4 crossover. But unlike those models, which are fairly conventional in their design, the ID. Buzz is a bold and playful reinterpretation of the iconic Microbus that debuted in 1950 and became a symbol of hippie culture in the 1960s.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is not a carbon copy of its ancestor, though. It's a modern and sleek vehicle that features LED headlights and taillights, a panoramic glass roof, sliding rear doors, and a choice of two-tone or single-color paint schemes. It also has a futuristic interior that boasts a digital dashboard, a head-up display with augmented reality, a touch-sensitive steering wheel, and a modular seating layout that can accommodate up to seven passengers or be transformed into a lounge or a cargo area.

The ID. Buzz is not just about style, either. It's also a capable and efficient electric vehicle that offers two battery options: a 58-kWh pack with an estimated range of 200 miles and a 77-kWh pack with an estimated range of 270 miles. Both batteries can be fast-charged up to 80% in about half an hour using a 125-kW charger.

The ID. Buzz also comes in two powertrain configurations: a rear-wheel-drive version with a single electric motor that produces 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque and an all-wheel-drive version with two electric motors that deliver 302 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Both versions have a top speed of 99 mph and can tow up to 2,200 pounds.

But perhaps the most impressive feature of the ID. Buzz is its advanced driver assistance system, which Volkswagen calls IQ.Drive. The system includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency braking, park assist, and more. It also enables Level 4 autonomous driving, which means that the ID. Buzz can drive itself in certain situations without human intervention.

To activate this mode, the driver simply presses a button on the steering wheel, which then retracts into the dashboard and becomes a touchpad for controlling infotainment functions. A laser scanner on the roof then scans the surroundings and communicates with cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors to steer, accelerate, brake, and change lanes safely and smoothly.

Of course, this feature has yet to be available everywhere, as it depends on local regulations and infrastructure. But Volkswagen says it plans to launch it in select cities in Europe and North America by 2025.

2023 Volkswagen ID. Buzz: The Electric Van You've Been Waiting For

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is not only a cool and innovative vehicle but also an affordable one. Volkswagen has announced attractive private leasing prices for the Danish market, starting from $750 per month for the base model with the smaller battery and rear-wheel drive.

This price includes service, insurance, roadside assistance, winter tires, and installation of a home charger.

The leasing contract is for 36 months and 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) per year, with a possibility of extending it for another 12 months. The initial payment is about $1,500, which is quite reasonable for such a well-equipped and spacious vehicle.

If you opt for the larger battery and all-wheel drive, the monthly price goes up to $900, while the initial payment remains the same. This option gives you more range, power, and traction, which may be worth it for some drivers.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is expected to arrive in early 2023, but you can already pre-order it online or at your local Volkswagen dealer. If you do so before June 30, 2023, you will also get a free Clever Unlimited subscription for six months, which allows you to charge your ID. Buzz at any Clever station without paying any extra fees.

Versatile and fun features

The ID. Buzz is not only a cool and innovative vehicle but also a versatile and fun one. It offers a range of features that make it suitable for different purposes and lifestyles.

The car's front seats have armrests that can be adjusted and tables that can be folded out from the backrests for the comfort of the passengers at the back. Additionally, a center console between the front seats can be taken out. The U.S. version of the car has three rows of seats that can accommodate seven people.

The second row consists of two individual seats that can swivel 180 degrees to face the third row, which has a three-seat bench that can fold flat or slide forward to create more cargo space. The seats can also be removed entirely to turn the ID. Buzz into a spacious van that can fit up to 162 cubic feet of stuff.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz's standard features include a 10-inch digital gauge cluster. The infotainment system is based on Google's Android Automotive OS, which means it has Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store built-in. It also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The ID. Buzz also has some clever features that enhance its usability and safety. For example, it has a bi-directional charging function that allows it to power other devices or vehicles using its battery. It also has a solar roof that can generate up to 9 miles of extra range per day.

Another cool feature is the ID.Light system, which consists of a strip of LED lights that runs across the dashboard and communicates with the driver and passengers using different colors and patterns. For instance, it can indicate the battery level, the navigation directions, or the incoming calls.

The ID.Light system also works with the IQ.Drive driver assistance system, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency braking, park assist, and more. It also enables Level 4 autonomous driving, which means that the ID. Buzz can drive itself in certain situations without human intervention.

To activate the Level 4 autonomous driving mode, the driver presses a button on the steering wheel, which then retracts into the dashboard and becomes a touchpad for controlling infotainment functions. A laser scanner on the roof then scans the surroundings and communicates with cameras, radars and communicates with cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors to steer, accelerate, brake, and change lanes safely and smoothly.

Of course, this feature is not available everywhere yet, as it depends on local regulations and infrastructure. But Volkswagen says it plans to launch it in select cities in Europe and North America by 2025.

How does it compare with the competition?

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is not the only electric van on the market, but it is certainly one of the most distinctive and appealing ones. It faces competition from established and emerging players in the EV segment, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

One of the closest rivals is the Mercedes-Benz EQV, which is an electric version of the popular V-Class. The EQV offers a luxurious and spacious interior with seating for up to eight people, a 90-kWh battery with a range of up to 213 miles, and a 150-kW electric motor with 201 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. However, the EQV is also much more expensive than the ID. Buzz, starting at $77,000 in Europe.

Another competitor is the Nissan e-NV200 Combi, which is a compact and affordable electric van with seating for up to seven people. The e-NV200 Combi has a 40-kWh battery with a range of up to 187 miles and an 80-kW electric motor with 107 hp and 187 lb-ft of torque. It also has a bi-directional charging function and a solar roof option. However, the e-NV200 Combi is also much less powerful and spacious than the ID. Buzz, and its design is rather dated.

A more futuristic rival is the Tesla Model X, which is not exactly a van but a crossover SUV with seating for up to seven people. The Tesla Model X offers a sleek and sporty design, a high-tech interior with a massive touchscreen, a choice of two batteries with ranges of up to 360 miles or 400 miles, and two powertrain options with up to 670 hp and 713 lb-ft of torque. It also has access to Tesla's Supercharger network and advanced driver assistance features. However, the Tesla Model X is also much more expensive than the ID. Buzz, starting at $90,000 in the U.S.

A more quirky competitor is the Electric Brands eBussy, a modular electric vehicle configured into various body styles, including a van, a pickup truck, a camper, or even a roadster. The eBussy has a minimalist design, a lightweight chassis made of aluminum and composite materials, a choice of two batteries with ranges of up to 124 miles or 373 miles, and four electric motors with up to 20 hp each. It also has a bi-directional charging function and a solar roof option. However, the eBussy is also much less practical and comfortable than the ID. Buzz and its performance and safety are questionable.

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The verdict

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a unique electric vehicle that combines retro charm with modern technology. It offers a versatile and spacious interior that can adapt to different needs and preferences, a capable and efficient electric powertrain that can deliver decent range and performance, and an advanced driver assistance system that can enable autonomous driving in some situations.

The ID. Buzz also has attractive private leasing prices that make it accessible to many drivers who want to enjoy the benefits of an electric vehicle without breaking the bank. It also has access to public charging stations that make it easy to recharge on the go.

The ID. Buzz may not be perfect for everyone, as it faces competition from other electric vans that may offer more luxury, power, or affordability. But it is certainly one of the most appealing and fun-to-drive vehicles in its segment.

If you are looking for an electric vehicle that can transport you and your family or friends in style and comfort while also making you smile every time you see it or drive it, then you should definitely check out the Volkswagen ID. Buzz when it arrives in 2023.