REVIEW: Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an Electricifying Journey Back to the Future

First, a little history lesson on the iconic Volkswagen mini bus/van, otherwise known as Volkswagen Type 2.

The Type 2 was Volkswagen’s encore after the iconic Beetle (a.k.a. Type 1), and it all started with a bit of industrial improvisation. When Volkswagen importer Ben Pon spotted factory workers repurposing Beetle chassis into makeshift forklifts, he had a lightbulb moment. These so-called Plattenwagens weren’t just clever—they were Volkswagen’s DIY solution to a forklift shortage. And from that ingenuity, the Type 2 was born, proving that necessity really is the mother of invention (and in this case, a pretty iconic van).

Adopted by the youth movement, the much-loved Volkswagen Type 2, which was released in 1967, rose quickly to fame, thanks to a series of highly successful past campaigns showcasing how the original bus could adapt to any lifestyle.

Whether it was a day at the beach, a weekend camping trip, ferrying family and friends around town, or serving as a fully versatile vehicle, the Type 2 could do it all. (Its popularity may have also stemmed from its ability to function as a makeshift hotel room for, erm, “passionate endeavours”. But I digress!)

The Type 2 wasn’t just a vehicle—it was a symbol, a vessel for stories and adventures for an era long gone.

For many people, it’s a vehicle they only know from the tales their grandparents told.

But now, you can create the same stories and adventures that your grandparents used to tell. The Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings the legend back to life—this time, with an electrified, futuristic twist.

The ID. Buzz is a true 21st-century vehicle, packed with modern technology, an electric drivetrain, contemporary comforts, and cutting-edge design features such as LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof and more. It supports nearly all the same use cases as the original Type 2—and then some.

Most importantly, while the original Type 2 lacked air conditioning (making things a little too literally steamy), the ID. Buzz elevates your experience. Its air conditioning can run for hours, giving you plenty of time to stay cool while doing what needs to be done in the car.

Alright, enough of idle banter. Let’s dive into my looong and serious review.

Let’s talk about looks

My first thought when I laid eyes on the ID. Buzz was that it looks just like the original Type 2. My second thought was that it looks nothing like the original Type 2.

And my third thought? I might need to get my eyes checked.

Seriously, I’m not even sure how to describe this. It’s like some weird optical illusion—the ID. Buzz reminds you of something it doesn’t actually look like.

Objectively, the ID. Buzz doesn’t carry over any specific design elements from the original Type 2. I kind of miss the retro ‘Superman triangle underwear’ front of the original. (Yes, this is my article, and I’ll call it whatever I want.)

Now, the front accent is shaped like grandma’s panties. Photo © Calixto Tay

Even its name, ‘ID. Buzz,’ has absolutely no connection to the Type 2. And yet, somehow, when you look at the ID. Buzz, you instantly know it’s a modern reinterpretation of the Type 2. No instruction manual needed.

That Cheerful and Sunny Disposition

I’ve always believed that a well-designed car stirs something in you as you walk up to it.

When I walk up to my review unit of the ID. Buzz, that exact shade of lime yellow feels like it’s been scientifically designed to boost my endorphins. The sleek lines, the cheerful design—it’s like the car is smiling back at me, ready to make the day a little brighter.

In fact, the ID. Buzz’s exterior is so cheerful, it puts images of having a picnic with my favourite teddy bears in my head.

It’s too looooong (says no one, ever)

The variant I test-drove is the Long Wheel Base (LWB) version, which is significantly longer than the Standard Wheel Base (SWB) version. In numbers, the wheelbase is extended by around 30cm, and the overall length increases by 25cm. This extra space allows for a third row of seats but also results in a larger turning radius (11.1m vs 11.8m).

In reality, a turning radius of 11.8 metres isn’t much, especially for a car with such a long wheelbase. It’s on par with many ‘normal’ cars, as most mid-sized SUVs have a turning radius between 11 and 12 metres. Hats off to the engineers of the ID. Buzz for nailing the steering geometry.

In practice, though, navigating tight corners can still feel a bit daunting.

First, the extremely long wheelbase makes right-angle turns feel like an exercise in precision. Sitting so far forward in the vehicle while the rest stretches endlessly behind you feels a bit like driving a limo. I found myself turning the wheels slightly later than usual to navigate tight right-hand corners. Even then, I was glued to the 360-degree camera for moral support.

As for U-turns, the 11.8-metre turning radius is perfectly fine for most local roads. But let’s be honest—when you’re behind the wheel of something this long, your brain sometimes doesn’t get the memo. I kept reminding myself that it’s all in my head. But my heart still beat a little fast whenever I was executing a U-turn.

It’s too tall (says some)

On our sunny island, along Orchard Road, in the city, and in some older estates, there are quite a few car parks with a maximum height limit of 1.8 or 1.9 metres. The ID Buzz, well, measures over 1.95 metres in height.

While the ID. Buzz’s length isn’t an issue in most scenarios, its height is a different story. When driving this car, I always had to keep an eye out for those height limit signs—because getting stuck isn’t just inconvenient; it’s instant meme material.

So, be mindful. Don’t be the next meme!

What’s it like inside?

Every time I step into the ID. Buzz, the upward curve at both sides of my lips stays firmly in place. The vibrant colours, playful touches, hidden easter eggs, and thoughtful, practical design of the interior all work together to keep my mood lifted.

If you’re too lazy to visit the showroom and experience the ID. Buzz’s interior in person, I’ve got you covered with an ASMR video that’ll (hopefully) give you a pretty good virtual tour of its charm. But trust me, it’s worth the trip to see it for yourself—nothing beats experiencing it in person.

Unfortunately, we’d had to take this video in the rain due to the recent monsoon season, but I think the rain enhanced the appeal of that beautiful sunroof.

Interior Colours

Most car interiors are dark, shadowy places. Everything you touch—whether it’s the seats, leather upholstery, or door panels—seems to come in endless shades of black. You could drive a bright red or pearl white car, but step inside, and it’s as dark as a tomb.

The ID. Buzz breaks that mould.

The vibrant two-tone exterior of my review car continues seamlessly into the interior. The seats feature a dual-tone configuration in cheerful yellow and off-white, perfectly complementing the candy white and yellow of the exterior.

It’s a refreshing change, proving that interiors don’t have to be dull—they can be just as playful and uplifting as the outside.

It’s amazing to see the attention to detail in matching the interior colours to the exterior. This is something you rarely see in other cars, and it’s clear that it requires extra effort—and expense—to produce so many interior options to align with the various exteriors.

It’s a thoughtful touch that shows the designers had more say than corporate bean counters when it comes to this car. Their focus on creating a cohesive and enjoyable experience clearly took priority over cost-cutting measures.

Delightful Little Touches and Easter Eggs

The cheerful colours aren’t the only clues that the designers had free rein to create a joyful interior. After spending a few days exploring every corner of the ID. Buzz, I discovered countless small details and hidden easter eggs that truly elevate the experience.

The Pedals

Even the brake and gas pedals didn’t escape the designer’s playful touch. Yes, yes—’brake’ is ‘pause’ and ‘accelerate’ is ‘play.’ It’s a simple yet clever nod that feels perfectly at home in this fun-loving vehicle.

Self-Portraits

As if the designers were worried you might forget the iconic ID. Buzz silhouette while inside the vehicle, they made sure to sprinkle plenty of reminders throughout the interior. From subtle engravings to cheeky little imprints, you’ll find the ID. Buzz’s unmistakable shape everywhere you look—like a playful reminder of just how special this car really is.

With all the designer’s cheekiness, they didn’t forget to add a touch of practicality.

Multi-purpose Dividers

The centre storage console is easily reconfigurable with dividers, but here’s the twist—those dividers come with clever hidden purposes.

One of the dividers doubles as a window ice scraper. (Useless in sunny Singapore, I know, but still a neat touch!)

The other divider? It’s an actual bottle opener—now that’s practical. Just remember to stick to bottles with content that won’t get you into trouble with the traffic police.

Worldmap

Oh, and for the geography enthusiasts, the designers snuck in a world map on the side of the drawer in the centre console. A subtle yet playful nod to exploration.

Removable Centre Storage

What’s another cool thing about the entire centre storage console? It can be completely removed—or thrown away, if you’re feeling dramatic.

Combined with the absence of any divider between the driver and passenger seats, it fully replicates the open front interior experience of the original Type 2. Just like the classic, there’s nothing standing between you and your co-pilot, making the ride feel more connected and communal.

Massage on wheels

One feature in the ID. Buzz that’s typically reserved for more luxurious vehicles is the massage-enabled front seats for both the driver and passenger. There are a couple of settings to choose from, though I’ll admit, I still prefer a good old-fashioned human massage. This one felt more like a series of pokes and prods along my back—pleasant but not quite spa-level.

That said, when I started the massage function for one of my passengers, they immediately let out an involuntary ‘aaaaaaaah.’ So, there’s that. What’s great to some may not be great to others, so your mileage may vary. But this is still a great feature to have.

Those vintage hand straps

Why are there hand straps in the car? Before your naughty mind leads you astray, these straps are a beautiful callback to Volkswagen’s history. They were originally introduced in the Beetle back in the 1930s to ease passengers climbing in and out of the car.

And here we are in 2025, in a cutting-edge EV, and I find the same strap. The fact that this little detail has made its way from a classic icon to the ID. Buzz is simply amazing.

The Retro-Futuristic Screens

I absolutely love the retro-futuristic shape of the infotainment screen and instrument cluster. It’s like something straight out of a 1960s movie depicting how computers were are supposed to look like in 2025.

Now, let’s talk about those temperature sliders below the screen. Yes, they’re touch controls. But no, you didn’t have to take your eyes off the road to use them. Muscle memory applies for operating these, much like traditional buttons and knobs. They’re miles better than having to dig through a menu to adjust the AC like most other EVs. Small details like this make a big difference in daily usability.

One small gripe I have is with the infotainment system: the reverse camera view. Why is it so distorted? It feels like a boomer scaled a landscape video into portrait mode—everything is stretched vertically and squashed horizontally. That’s a BMW i8 in the background looking like a short hot hatch. This throws me off so much when I park, that I could only rely on that excellent 360-degree camera view.

That insane sunroof

Last but not least, how can I not mention the largest panoramic sunroof I’ve ever seen?

It’s an absolute thing of beauty, flooding the cabin with natural light and giving you a stunning view of the sky. Plus, it has a practical side—it’s great for seeing just how close you are to hitting the ceiling in a low car park. Talk about a stylish way to stay cautious!

If you’re not a fan of the sun, don’t worry. The sunroof comes with a slider that can turn it completely opaque. So, if you’re secretly a vampire, rest assured—you’re covered (literally)!

Driving Experience

Ah, the million-dollar question—or rather, the S$340,000 question (as of January 2025)—how is the ID. Buzz like to drive?

Let’s face it—nobody buys a minibus expecting a superb driving experience. But in my opinion, Volkswagen has overdelivered.

The steering feels precise and responsive. Other than remembering to turn the wheel a bit later than usual to avoid kerbing the rear wheels on this 4.9m-long vehicle, it drives almost like a sportier SUV.

One minor nitpick: the steering wheel feels slightly heavier and requires more force just before full lock (at around the final 30 degrees of turn). It’s something you’ll get used to with time, but it’s noticeable.

As for the suspension, I summarise in one word: refined. The suspension is slightly firm, as expected—it needs to support 2.5 tonnes of weight plus passengers. However, it does an excellent job absorbing road imperfections and allows for spirited driving. Cornering feels incredible for a vehicle of this bulk and height. It’s surprisingly planted, even when pushed hard into a turn.

Seriously, it corners like a vehicle this size has no business cornering. This planted feeling is likely helped by the heavy battery pack positioned under the floor, giving the ID. Buzz the stability of a roly-poly toy that never topples. Because of the extremely low CG, I could easily overtake most other vehicles in a turn. It feels awesome whenever I do that, imagining that the other drivers must have be awestruck at that overtake I’ve just pulled in such a tall and bulky vehicle. It must have seemed like physics-defying to them.

The only drawback I noticed with the suspension is its reaction to those tiny, bolted-on metal humps that are becoming increasingly common in Singapore. The suspension is unforgiving here, and you’ll definitely feel the impact unless you slow to a crawl before scaling them.

Despite its weight, acceleration is brisk—even in comfort mode. The ID. Buzz delivers a fair bit of power within the first few millimetres of pedal depression, often causing me to accelerate more than intended during my first 30 minutes of drive.

This is a beast of a vehicle, capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds. Do you need that kind of speed in a 2.5-tonne minibus? Probably not. But hey, Volkswagen overdelivered, and I’m not complaining. Other drivers who assume you’re a slow, clumsy relic will be in for a surprise when you decide to overtake.

On the flip side, the braking feel is less confidence-inspiring. The first 2–3 cm of pedal depression feels too relaxed, as though nothing is happening. Then, suddenly, the brakes wake up and do their job. This happens probably because only regenerative braking is applied initially, with the mechanical brakes kicking in only when more stopping power is needed.

To be clear, the ID. Buzz doesn’t lack stopping power—it stops just fine. However, compared to other vehicles I’ve tested, the braking feel isn’t as linear, which takes some getting used to.

The “X” Factor

Now, I’m not talking about the “Expensive” Factor—though, let’s be real, that’s the elephant in the room. The LWB 7-seater variant I tested now costs over S$340,000 as of press time, thanks to CAT B COE soaring to 120k. You do get a lot of car for that price, but I digress.

The “X” Factor I’m talking about is this: this car is an icon.

Until Volkswagen decides to electrify the Beetle, the ID. Buzz stands alone as their sole reimagined icon. Owning this car isn’t about the specs, the price tag, or even the number of people it can carry.

Owning the ID. Buzz is about owning a vehicle that’s a joy to look at, makes you happy to sit in, and enables a lifestyle (or passionate endeavours) that no other car offers. It’s also about owning a piece of history—because this car will no doubt become as iconic as the Type 2 in years to come.

And let’s not forget that this “X” Factor makes the car a head-turner. As I cruised down street, I found so many people sneaking a look at my car. It was an ego boost that my ride was getting so much attention even without any engine sound.

Final Takeaway

The ID. Buzz is undeniably an interesting car. With its rich heritage, cheeky design inside and out, practical features, and that unmistakable “X” Factor, this is a car I’d buy in a heartbeat… if only my editor paid me a bit more. Hint.

For a test drive, visit the Volkswagen Centre Singapore (247 Alexandra Rd, Singapore 159934) —you need to experience this one for yourself.