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The Volkswagen ID. Buzz will start at $59,995

    A white and blue VW ID Buzz drives on a road
    Enlarge / Eight years after the concept first wowed audiences, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is ready to go on sale in the US.

    James Lipman/VW

    If it feels like years ago that you first laid eyes on Volkswagen’s retro electric microbus, the ID. Buzz, you’d be wrong. The name is surprisingly fitting; I can’t think of another car in the past decade that has sparked so much interest from people who aren’t normally interested in four-wheeled transportation. Nearly eight years after the concept debuted, the Buzz has been on sale in Europe for a year. Now it’s stateside, with deliveries set to begin later this year.

    We drove the Euro-spec Buzz almost two years ago , and it’s fair to say that the version coming to the US is a better proposition. The Buzz we drove had a shorter wheelbase, a smaller-capacity battery, and seating for only five, and if you sat in the back, there was no ventilation and the windows didn’t open.

    The US market only gets the longer-wheelbase Buzz, which adds about 10 inches (250 mm) between the axles. This adds room for a third row of seats, making it a true seven-seater. Sitting in the back should be a bit more humane, as there are vents. We'll wait until we get a chance to drive it to find out if the windows open in the back there.

    The three-row Buzz also has a larger (91 kWh) battery pack, but there’s no escaping that retro shape’s large, blunt frontal area, and the EPA range estimate for the rear-wheel-drive Buzz is just 234 miles (377 km), a figure we’re sure will disappoint many who’ve been patiently waiting for the electric minivan. All-wheel drive drops the range by 3 miles (5 km).

    Starts at just under $60,000

    The other thing everyone has been patiently waiting to see is how much it’s going to cost, and I don’t think people are going to be disappointed. The Euro-spec Buzz starts at just over $60,000 and has two fewer seats and 8 fewer kWh of lithium-ion on board. If you had asked me last month, I would have estimated the Buzz would cost over $70,000, with import duties and all that.

    So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the ID. Buzz Pro S starts at $59,995, though at that price you're limited to just three exterior colors (Candy White, Deep Black Pearl, and Metro Silver) and a choice of two interior themes (Copper and Moonlight).

    • The long-wheelbase Buzz is a better version for the US.

      James Lipman/VW

    • Today we heard about two new interior color themes for the Buzz. This one is called Moonlight.

    • The second new interior is called Copper.

      VW

    • This is the interior of Dune, which seems like a really bad idea if you have kids.

      James Lipman/VW

    • This is the middle row of seats. It is not removable, but it can be folded down, just like the third row. But you need an accessory (a shelf in the luggage compartment) to make a completely flat floor.

      James Lipman/VW

    • Here is the third row.

      James Lipman/VW

    • Some versions are equipped with captain's chairs.

      James Lipman/VW

    • The interior lighting is configurable.

      James Lipman/VW

    • There are many places where you can store your things.

      James Lipman/VW

    • Did you know that wireless charging is the most desired feature among new car buyers? The ID. Buzz gives you a slot instead of a tray.

      James Lipman/VW

    • The 12.9-inch infotainment system.

      James Lipman/VW

    • Capacitive control panels. Yuck.

      James Lipman/VW

    • We expect the first model year to feature CCS1 charging ports.

      James Lipman/VW

    • As with all three rows, you can choose between taking a lot of luggage or having people sit in the back.

      James Lipman/VW

    • Has the Buzz kept its hype? We're about to find out.

      James Lipman/VW

    But it's relatively well equipped, with the newer version of VW's infotainment system with illuminated controls, 12-way power front seats, a heated second row, wireless phone charging and casting (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), eight USB-C ports, and a 110V power outlet under the passenger seat.

    The Pro S Plus starts at $63,495, or $67,995 for all-wheel drive. If you want a funky two-tone paint scheme, go for the Pro S Plus, but be warned, it costs an extra $995 and the electrochromic panoramic glass roof will set you back $1,495.

    The Plus gets a heads-up display, more speakers, easy-open-and-close power side doors and tailgate, and a tow bar. The rear-wheel-drive Pro S Plus sticks with the middle row as a bench or, optionally, a pair of captain's chairs. The all-wheel-drive Pro S Plus gets the captain's chairs as standard.

    Finally, there’s the 1st Edition, which starts at $65,495 for rear-wheel drive or $69,995 for all-wheel drive. The 1st Edition is available in five different two-tone exterior finishes, with different wheels, special badging, and the electrochromic roof as standard.