VW ID Buzz review: what the car critics say

A modern successor to the beloved VW Type 2, the ID Buzz is a five-seater, full-size electric MPV – and “the new face of sustainable family mobility”, according to VW. Like the Type 2, it has rear-wheel drive, said Autocar. There are currently two versions available – a Cargo commercial van with up to three seats, or the passenger five-seater with three trim levels – but the range is likely to expand next year.

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The ID Buzz is powered by the same 201bhp electric motor as other ID models, said What Car?. It’s nippy in town, but acceleration tails off above 40mph. The 77kWh battery gives an official range of up to 260 miles, (more like 180-230 miles depending on the season). 0-62mph takes 10.2secs, and top speed is 90mph. A comfortable ride, it has sophisticated damping, plenty of grip and a tight turning circle.

A full charge with a 7kW home wallbox will take 12 hours and the ID Buzz also has bidirectional charging, so you can charge it on cheap electricity overnight and feed that back into your home at peak times, said Top Gear Magazine. Inside, the front is “stunning”, with its widescreen front view; the only glitch is the patchiness of the infotainment system. The boot is “massive” and the fun rear-sliding doors are practical. Price: from about £58,000.