Electric Kombi: Volkswagen launches 2022 ID. Buzz

Flower power? No, it's electric power now

Five years ago, Volkswagen introduced the ID. Buzz concept, and it’s one of the brand’s most highly anticipated electric vehicles (EVs). The ID. Buzz is essentially a reinvention of the company’s iconic Microbus/Kombi for the electric age. After. A long wait, the production model ID. Buzz is finally here.

The electric people (and cargo) mover isn’t the first model in Volkswagen’s ID. family. It started with the ID. 3 followed by the ID.4, ID.6, and the ID.5 last year. However, all of them are crossovers with the ID. Buzz being the brand’s first electric people carrier.

Like the original T1 Microbus, the ID. Buzz has short body overhangs. According to VW, this design was possible due to the use of the MEB platform and the vehicle’s electric drive system. While it may look big in the photos, the vehicle is relatively compact, measuring 4712mm long with a 2988mm wheelbase.

From the outside, the ID. Buzz doesn’t look that new. That’s because the overall shape and proportions remain close to the concept revealed in 2017. However, the futuristic design has been toned down with the production model. For example, the 2022 ID. Buzz doesn’t have the cool LED headlights and the illuminated VW logo as we saw in the concept. At the rear, the taillights are also larger and look similar to what you’d find in other VW models.

Step inside the ID. Buzz, and you’ll be greeted by a spacious cabin. The standard length van will come with either five or six seats, while the long-wheelbase model will be available as a 7-seater. Interestingly, the dashboard layout similar to VW’s other ID. models. In front of the driver is a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, while a 10-inch floating infotainment system comes standard and is upgradeable to a 12-inch unit.

In Europe, the ID. Buzz will be available with a single 82.0-kWh battery pack that powers a single electric motor at the rear. VW says the motor produces 201 horsepower and 310 Nm torque. However, VW did not disclose the ID. Buzz's range and other performance figures. The automaker does say larger batteries and more powerful options will be available in the future.

Volkswagen’s electric bus may have taken a while, but was it worth it? Let us know what you think of the 2022 ID. Buzz in the comments below.