2025 VW ID. Buzz electric van review
Volkswagen finally has an electric car in Australia and it is a fresh take on an old classic.
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Volkswagen finally has an electric car in Australia.
Undoubtedly late to the party, has VW missed the bus or timed its run to perfection?
VW says the ID. Buzz evokes “the spirit of the iconic Kombi”, with familiar retro-inspired looks that deliver feel-good vibes unmatched by modern rivals.
It’s a smart play.
MORE: VW ID. Buzz prices and specifications
The brand’s long history is something that new brands such as BYD, Zeekr or Xpeng can’t match, so why not lean into the spirit of a van adored by surfers, campers, musicians and more?
Particularly as it gives the brand a three-for-one return on investment, delivering people-mover versions with a choice of five or seven seats, as well as a work-ready Cargo model to rival Ford’s Transit.
Folks who want to put people in the back can pick the short wheelbase ID. Buzz five-seater for $87,990 plus on-roads, or the long-wheelbase seven-seater for $91,290 plus on-roads.
All three models drive the rear wheels with a rear-mounted, 210kW electric motor.
The five-seater has an 84kWh battery returning a claimed 422km of range, while the longer seven-seater has a larger 91kWh unit delivering 452km.
It’s a sweet thing to drive that represents a significant departure from EVs that play at being sports cars.
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There’s no performance pretension to the Buzz – after all, it’s a people mover – so you get plush suspension with a well-controlled ride and a little more body roll than a low-slung Tesla.
Accurate steering and well-modulated brakes work in its favour, as does a punchy motor with magnificently calibrated traction control that has no trouble getting power to the ground.
Being a van, the high seating point and upright seating position offer an outstanding view of the road, making it easy to place the car with confidence.
MORE: VW ID.Buzz emerges as electric Kombi
Access to the rear seats is easy as can be, with powered doors and a low sill that make it easy for young and old passengers to hop in. There’s plenty of space once you’re there, and seat back tray tables with USB charging points help make occupants feel like they’re going somewhere special.
Standard equipment includes a 12.9-inch touchscreen with a digital radio and smartphone mirroring (but not sat nav).
Ambient lighting throughout the cabin joins seven USB ports, electric sliding rear windows and a powered tailgate.
Standard dark cloth trim is practical, but doesn’t do the car justice. It feels underwhelming until you choose lighter two-tone trim made from “Seaqual”, a knitted product partially made with plastics recovered from the ocean.
The lighter trim transforms the cabin from a generic van to something far more special.
The catch is that it is quite expensive at $6470, or a further $500 if you upgrade from Seaqual to microfleece.
Metallic or pearl effect paint adds $1890 to the bill, while two tone paint shown here is $4090. Handsome 19-inch wheels are $1900, a lovely panoramic sunroof is $3290, and an infotainment pack delivering a head-up display and upgraded stereo costs $2200.
Servicing is cheap at $670 every two years, or you can buy pre-paid plans that start from $1450 for six years and run to $2250 for 10 years.
Those option prices are important, as they have an enormous effect on the car’s real-world cost.
Many electric vehicle customers choose to lease cars to take advantage of a government EV discount and fringe benefits tax concession that means a five-seat Buzz worth about $95,500 drive-away can be had for about $310 per week, equivalent to the cost of a regular car worth about $57,500 drive-away.
Those deals are only available to cars that come in under the luxury car tax threshold that starts from $91,387, which leaves seven-seat Buzz customers less than $100 to spend on optional extras if they want a cheap lease.
VERDICT
4 stars
Volkswagen’s first EV in Australia stands out from the crowd.
VW ID. Buzz
PRICE: From about drive-away
MOTOR: Rear electric, 210kW and 560Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICE: 5-year unlimited km, $2250 for 10 years
SAFETY: Five stars, seven airbags, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alerts
RANGE: 422km
CARGO: 306 litres
SPARE: Repair kit
Originally published as 2025 VW ID. Buzz electric van review
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