The Volkswagen ID. Buzz has been one of the most anticipated electric vehicles, promising to recapture the magic of the iconic Microbus for a new generation. For many, including myself, the original VW Bus wasn’t just transport; it was a symbol of rational design imbued with character, usefulness, and a spirit of adventure. The hope was that the ID. Buzz would inherit this legacy, blending retro charm with modern EV technology. Having followed the ID. Buzz’s journey from concept to production for years, and finally spending a week road-tripping in the long-wheelbase version, I had high expectations. And while there’s much to admire about this electric van, a significant flaw casts a shadow over its otherwise bright appeal: its limited real-world range severely compromises its road trip capabilities.
To fully appreciate the ID. Buzz, it’s worth acknowledging the long and winding road to its release. Volkswagen first teased the idea of a reborn Microbus way back in 2001, fueling anticipation for over two decades. I’ve personally experienced multiple stages of the ID. Buzz’s development, from driving the European short-wheelbase model in 2022 to witnessing the US-market long-wheelbase version’s debut in 2023. Each event built excitement, culminating in finally getting behind the wheel for an extended test – a proper road trip. This wasn’t just another press event with carefully curated routes and support teams. This was about experiencing the ID. Buzz in the real world, on highways, and seeing if it could truly live up to its road trip potential.
Retro Design and Nostalgia: A Modern Microbus with Familiar Vibes
Volkswagen has masterfully captured the essence of the classic Microbus in the ID. Buzz’s design. It’s undeniably retro, with its boxy silhouette, large VW logo, and optional two-tone paint schemes that immediately evoke the spirit of the original Bus. This isn’t just a cynical nostalgia play; the design is genuinely appealing, drawing smiles and attention wherever it goes. It stands out in a sea of homogenous modern vehicles, offering a refreshing dose of personality and charm.
However, the ID. Buzz is more than just a pretty face. Its form follows function, just like the original. The boxy shape translates into an incredibly spacious interior. The packaging is genuinely impressive; despite its footprint, the ID. Buzz offers generous legroom and headroom in all three rows, even the often-cramped third row.
Cargo space is also a major selling point. Even with all seats in place, there’s a usable amount of luggage room. Fold down the middle row and remove the rear seats, and you’re presented with a cavernous cargo area, perfect for hauling gear, luggage, or even camping equipment. This inherent practicality, combined with its nostalgic design, makes the ID. Buzz incredibly appealing. It feels like it was genuinely designed for adventures and road trips – which made its real-world range performance all the more disappointing.
Road Trip Range Reality: A City EV in a Road Trip Body
The core issue with the ID. Buzz, and the source of my frustration, is the disconnect between its road trip-ready design and its city-car EV range. The RWD version I tested is officially rated at 234 miles of combined range. However, real-world highway driving tells a different story. During my road trip from North Carolina to Savannah, Georgia – a roughly five-hour drive in a gasoline car – the ID. Buzz’s range proved to be significantly less.
Driving at typical highway speeds (65-75 mph), even with the battery charged to 90%, the effective range hovered between 170 and 190 miles, and often less. This was in relatively cold weather, requiring the heater to be used, which further impacts EV range. The navigation system, understandably cautious, constantly routed me to charging stations well before reaching critically low battery levels.
This translates to mandatory charging stops every 150-160 miles, or roughly every two hours of driving. For a vehicle designed for road trips, this frequency of charging stops is simply not practical or enjoyable. What should have been a straightforward five-hour drive became significantly longer and more complicated due to the need for multiple charging sessions.
Charging Challenges: Infrastructure and Inconvenience
The limited range is only half the battle. The charging experience itself in America is still far from ideal, further hindering the ID. Buzz’s road trip viability. While home charging is convenient for daily commutes, it’s irrelevant on a long journey. On the road, you’re reliant on public charging infrastructure, which presents several challenges.
Finding fast and reliable chargers is crucial, as slower chargers can add hours to your journey. During my trip, I encountered a mix of charging experiences. While some fast chargers were available, many were located in less-than-desirable locations, often behind shopping centers or in uninviting industrial areas. One particularly odd experience involved Mercedes-Benz branded chargers at a ChargePoint station, highlighting the somewhat fragmented and inconsistent nature of the current charging network.
Charging times also add significant delays. Even at relatively fast chargers, replenishing a substantial portion of the battery takes considerably longer than refueling a gasoline car. I frequently spent around 30 minutes or more at charging stations, adding considerable time to the overall trip. Furthermore, the cost of public charging can be surprisingly high. On average, each charging session cost between $40 and $45, making it, in my experience, more expensive than fueling a comparable gasoline vehicle for the same distance.
Adding insult to injury, charger reliability can be hit-or-miss. Like encountering a crashed computer, I experienced chargers that were simply out of service, adding further frustration and uncertainty to the charging process. While Tesla’s Supercharger network, with a soon-to-be-available adapter for other EVs, might alleviate some of these issues in the future, it’s not the current reality for ID. Buzz owners. The ease and speed of gasoline refueling remains the benchmark, and EV charging, in its current state, falls far short for road trip practicality.
Strengths and Weaknesses as a Road Trip Vehicle: A Mixed Bag
Despite the significant range and charging drawbacks, the ID. Buzz possesses numerous qualities that make it inherently desirable as a road trip vehicle. Its spacious and comfortable interior is a major plus. Even with a darker interior motif in my test vehicle (which I personally found less appealing than the brighter, more colorful options), the cabin is exceptionally roomy and comfortable. The multi-zone climate control works effectively, and the audio system is impressive, creating a pleasant environment for long journeys with passengers. It’s a space where families or groups of friends can genuinely enjoy spending hours together.
The ID. Buzz also delivers a surprisingly enjoyable driving experience. The acceleration is brisk, especially considering its size – a stark contrast to the sluggish performance of the original VW Bus. Highway driving is smooth and stable, thanks to the low center of gravity provided by the battery pack. Handling, for a vehicle of its height and boxy shape, is surprisingly competent. The brakes are also commendable, proving their effectiveness in an unexpected deer-related near-miss during my trip.
The exterior styling is another significant strength. The ID. Buzz is undeniably cool and distinctive. The two-tone paint options enhance its retro appeal and help it stand out from the crowd. It’s a vehicle that draws attention and positive reactions, a refreshing change in a world of often-generic car designs. Volkswagen has succeeded in making a minivan – dare I say – cool.
However, these strengths are overshadowed by the fundamental limitation of its range. While perfectly adequate for city driving and short trips, the ID. Buzz’s limited range and the current state of charging infrastructure make it a frustrating choice for serious road tripping. It’s a vehicle that’s almost perfect for its intended purpose, but falls short in a crucial area.
Potential Fix – Range Extender? A Hybrid Solution
What makes the ID. Buzz’s shortcomings even more frustrating is that there appears to be a readily available solution: a range extender. A hybrid version, incorporating a small gasoline engine to supplement the battery, could completely transform the ID. Buzz into the road trip machine it’s meant to be.
Imagine an ID. Buzz with a slightly smaller battery pack, freeing up space to accommodate a compact combustion engine – perhaps a flat-four or inline engine – acting as a generator to extend the driving range. This approach, similar to what VW is considering for the Scout EV, would offer the best of both worlds. For daily driving, it could operate as a pure EV, leveraging the benefits of electric power. For longer journeys, the range extender would eliminate range anxiety and charging hassles, allowing for the same freedom and flexibility as a gasoline car.
The original VW Bus, with its rear-mounted engine, even offers a conceptual template for such a configuration. A range-extended ID. Buzz would overcome the current model’s limitations, making it a truly versatile and desirable vehicle.
Conclusion: So Close, Yet So Far
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a vehicle of immense potential, brimming with retro charm, practicality, and enjoyable driving dynamics. It successfully captures the spirit of the original Microbus for the modern era. However, as a pure EV in today’s charging infrastructure landscape, it’s fundamentally compromised as a road trip vehicle. Its limited real-world range and the inconveniences of public charging detract significantly from its otherwise appealing nature.
It’s a frustrating situation because the ID. Buzz is so close to being truly exceptional. A range-extended hybrid version could unlock its full potential, resolving its primary weakness and making it the versatile, adventure-ready vehicle it was always meant to be. Volkswagen has created a compelling vehicle, but it feels unfinished. They have all the ingredients for a truly fantastic machine; they just need to put them together in the right way. For now, the ID. Buzz leaves me with a sense of sadness – a feeling of what could have been, and what almost is. Hopefully, VW will recognize this and take the necessary steps to fully realize the ID. Buzz’s potential.
