I’ll be honest with you: this is kind of a strange press event. For one thing, there’s a lot of attempted secrecy around a vehicle that’s pretty much already been seen and everyone knows what it looks like. Hell, I’ve even already driven it! Well, almost. That was the short-wheelbase Euro version, and this one is the American market, long-wheelbase one. And, more importantly, this is the 2023 ID.Buzz, the latest incarnation of the legendary Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus, but now all modern and electric and a really, really important vehicle for Volkswagen. Maybe the most important one they’ve introduced in years. That’s why they’re having this big launch event in California. But it’s odd because none of us journalists will get to drive any of the vans, and it’s a strangely short event, an event that VW seems to have invited absolutely everyone to, and there’s barely any time to write about the three-row ID.Buzz before the embargo lifts, at midnight Pacific time. So, We’re going to try something different.
Instead of a usual review – which I can’t do, anyway, since we’re not allowed to drive anything here – I’ll just tell and show you all I was able to find out about the American market version of the bus and, because why not, I’ll do a sort-of-liveblog of the whole damn event, just so you can see all of what’s going on, too. That has to be better than just regurgitating the press release, right? We can find more fun stuff to regurgitate!
The Important Stuff About The Three-Row ID.Buzz
First, let’s get out of the way all of the important facts about the ID.Buzz that you’ll probably want to know. Really, for a lot of this you should just read my review of the two-row version we’re not getting here, because that covers an awful lot about what the ID.Buzz is, and this is mostly just that, just longer and with a number of improvements.
It’s probably worth reminding everyone just how long the gestation of this thing has been; Volkswagen has been playing with the idea of a re-born Microbus since before there were iPhones and when Netflix would physically mail DVDs to your house: 2001. If you were born when VW first started teasing us with concept car versions of a Modern Microbus, you’d be old enough to drink and vote and get drafted by now. The one that we see now, the one that made it to production, is the fifth incarnation of the idea.
Okay, but what we’re sale-abrating today is the three-row version of the ID.Buzz, so let’s go over the differences. First, it’s about 10 inches longer in the wheelbase:
This longer bus has, as you can see, a longer sliding rear door, and now includes a little sliding window-within-a-window set into the side glass there. This is great, as my big complaint about the short bus was the lack of rear ventilation: no windows to open, and no HVAC vents. Both of these issues have been solved in the three-row ID.Buzz.
And, as a three-row vehicle, this can seat up to seven, with options for a middle bench seat that can sit three or a pair of captain’s chairs.
Also note that VW finally illuminated the climate controls and volume slider, an absurd omission from their other ID-series cars, though this particular bit if user-interface madness still lumbers on:
I wrote a whole blog about these window switches. On a hopeful note, I was informed that VW is “aware” of the issues with this window switch setup.
VW’s people also say it looks better, because of the longer proportions, but I think that’s pretty subjective. I like the stubby look of the short one!
There’s also more power on tap, even with the rear-motor/RWD version: 282 vs. 201, and there’s also an AWD version with a front motor as well, and that version should make 330 hp. These are all a very far cry from the old 40-50 hp buses of the ’60s and ’70s.
The battery pack is bigger as well, 91 kWh vs 82 kWh, and I expect range to be improved too, but no numbers have been given yet. If I had to guess, which I don’t but will, I’d say between 250-275 miles seems likely. Maybe 300?
Oh, we also know what colors you can get these in, which is important for this car in particular, which is so well known for its vivid color options:
There’s great, real colors here, a welcome departure from the usual grayscale miasma, but VW did tell us they added some silvers and grays just for the US market. I’ve never been more ashamed to be an American. Why would you get one of these in boring-ass silver? Look at it:
Even with the tent and all the fun camp equipment, that silver de-charms everything by at least 40%. If you’re too chickenshit to get some real colors, maybe you should be looking at a Pacifica or something.
I Think I Know What The Price Will Be
Volkswagen has not officially revealed the pricing of the three-row ID.Buzz, but based on anonymous conversations with people who actually know the answer, it was strongly hinted that the ID.Buzz will start here at about $60,000 to $65,000. We were told that there is no base version of the ID.Buzz, they’re all quite premium, and it’s an expensive car to build, with a big, expensive battery. Okay, true, but it still sucks. The whole ethos of the original Type 2 Bus was that it was an affordable box-on-wheels for everyone, and this new one is a decidedly premium vehicle that isn’t even going to try to be affordable, not really. I understand the reasoning, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
Time For The Liveblog-Like Stuff
Okay, since we have the basics out of the way, join me, won’t you, on the first half of my barely-24-hour trip to Huntington Beach, California!
First, the LAX bathroom sinks are stupid. Three chrome faucet-like things, and you can’t really tell what does what. From left to right, one is soap, one water, one dries via air. But the soap one doesn’t work and the dryer is barely adequate, so we get duplicated soap and paper towel dispensers on the wall. Confusing and wasteful! I’m impressed!
Alright, time to get picked up in a VW ID.4! I tried to cram my bag into the place where the frunk should be, but they stopped me.
Okay, so this is a little gross, but remember when I screwed up my finger while attempting to chainsaw the batteries out of my Changli? Well, in the car, my fingernail finally fell off. It’s sort of gross, so don’t click here if you don’t want to see it. Seriously, that’s a picture of a fingernail, off a finger, tinged with some blood. You’ve been warned.
Okay, so now here I am, a nine-fingernail’d dipshit, heading to the hotel, and seeing the majestic battleship USS Nathan Lane! I think that’s what it’s named, but I’m not certain. Nobody check. 
There’s a big gathering of old buses set to happen tomorrow (or, today, as it’s just past midnight and I need to get this published!) and I did manage to spot an interesting one being towed in:
That sort of single-cab/box rear is unusual; I should check it out closer tomorrow.
At the hotel, they had a sorta-hippy-ish wrapped Buzz covered with “Love the Earth” in many, many languages. I thought the Earth and I were just friends, but hey, I’m open to more! Call me, Earth!
All of VW’s signage is surfboard-shaped, which is I guess fitting, if a bit on-the-nose.
Check this shit out: VW had custom wooden room keys made! That’s fun, right? I mean, they’re a little hard to fit in your pocket, but beats the hell out of just printing on a plastic credit-card-like key, like most automakers do! Gauntlet’s been thrown, other companies! Your next keys will need to be little marble statuettes of the car to beat this!
Because this is a press event full of hungry, doughy auto journalists, there’s food everywhere and always.
Seeing The Three-Row ID.Buzz Up Close
I was late and technically not on The List, but I managed to get myself into the studio where we could see a three-row ID.Buzz in the metal, finally, up close and personal.
They spun it around on a turntable and I swear it felt just like being inside a giant microwave. I expected it to beep at the end and then discover that the inside was frozen. Then they did it again, with all the doors open:
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Did I mention we had to put on booties to be in the clean, clean studio? We did.
I also asked one of the PR people if there was any consideration of naming this new electric van the e-Routan, and was told no, absolutely not, just in case anyone was wondering. Same goes for ID.Sharan. I was impressed at how well the rep kept himself from slapping me with a clipboard, as he was technically permitted to do.
One disappointment: this one we photographed and saw is pre-production, and has the Euro-spec fantastic sequential amber rear indicators. I was told the US-spec one will have all-red ones, which sucks. Come on, VW! Just make the amber section larger so you can have a universal taillight! Why is this so flapjacking hard?
On the plus side of lighting, those look to be cornering lights in the headlamp units, and I like the DRL signature a lot. Let’s take a look inside:
The instrument binnacle is shared with the rest of the ID line, but the 12.9-inch center stack screen will have an improved UX and have more responsive software, I’m told. There’s also a customizable icon dock, which is a good idea.
The glass roof is huge, and the interior feels very airy and open. It’s nice! Plus, airplane-like rear seat trays.
The second-row bench is comfortable and there’s plenty of legroom. Same goes for the third row:
Look, there’s legs of the person next to me in the back row.
There’s the third row, seen over the 60% of folded middle seat.
Significantly, there’s HVAC controls at the rear and dedicated vents for each row. Yay! No asphyxiation for anyone!
There’s a view backwards. Let’s check out the cargo area:
With all three rows up, the rear cargo area isn’t terribly deep, but it is tall, and VW has an optional shelf system (that also forms a flat floor for sleeping/boning/shoving in a full-size marlin, etc) and you can get those VW-branded storage boxes for below the shelf, or, probably just as likely, get some that fit from Ikea or Wal-Mart, depending on what sorts of media you tend to enjoy.
Here’s what it looks like with all rear rows folded and the shelf unit in place: a nice, flat expanse of space, much like Nebraska, but with fewer tumbleweeds and more likely to house a first-rate philharmonic. I kid, I kid! I’m sure Omaha has a fantastic philharmonic. Oh, they do, look! No hard feelings, okay?
Without the platform-thing, it looks like this:
Less flat, but still a massive amount of room in this wheeled box, keeping with the whole raison d’etre of the Type 2. Those rear seats are pretty easily removable, separately:
…and I guess you could use them outside of the car. They’re pretty heavy, though, even if they do have carrying handles on them.
It looks like we have coilovers up front, and it’s hard to see exactly the setup in the rear, as most of the bottom is covered:
One other interesting tech detail down low: the radar transceiver looks like it’d actually be quite easy to remove and replace:
It’s a bit vulnerable in a minor wreck, but so is everyone else’s, and at least this one looks easy to remove and install.
Overall, I do like the ID.Buzz three-row. Sure, it’s maybe less overtly retro than I’d have done, and it definitely is more expensive than I’d like, but it’s a good, striking design, has plenty of room inside, drives well (well, the Euro one did), and aside from a few interface design irritants, seems like it’d be a satisfying and flexible vehicle to own.
Plus, there’s not much on the market that’s like this, and I respect that a lot.
Now scroll back up and click on the link to the fingernail picture. You know you’re curious.
meh, I might have cared 15 years ago for $30k with a TDI.
Asking if they considered calling it the e-Routan made me literally laugh out loud. Glad I’m working from home today.
Ripping off a dead finger/toe nail is so satisfying.
Does this have the heptic steering wheel buttons that everyone hates?
Don’t mind me. I’m just watching the average price of new cars shoot up another $2,000…
Was $37,300 4 years ago.
Was $34,500 6 years ago.
Was $33,100 8 years ago.
Was $31,100 10 years ago.
Taking into account CPI inflation rate, average new car price now is about 18-20% higher than you’d expect.
I wonder how much of that is the entire bottom end of the market being hollowed out, lower inventory reducing incentives, the occasional ADM still happening for very in-demand vehicles (like a RAV4 Prime), higher costs for the electric vehicles that do sell (will move it a few percent), and people like those that work with my dad at a factory where they buy a $70,000 pickup truck to show off at work, despite making $22/hour.
For the record, Dad drives a 2006 Honda CR-V. His coworkers make his head explode.
This same trend can also be applied to housing, food, healthcare, education, utility costs, and things people generally need. The luxuries keep getting cheaper and cheaper. Yet we’re expected to believe the official numbers that use hedonic adjustments to obfuscate the reality that people are experiencing because you can buy a flat screen TV for $100. The CPI is understating the real on-the-street inflation rate by a factor of 3 or more, wages are not going up enough to compensate for this, and this has been the case for nearly 25 years now.
Yep. Bureau of Labor and Statistics just today modified their report on Q4 2022 real compensation, modifying down from +0.7% to -4.7% because of actual cost of living.
Since 2011 the CPI has been adjusted every quarter to cover up the economic stagnation that the North American and Eurobloc economic zones have suffered. And that’s on top of the adjustments made in 2001 that happened yearly until 2011 to cover up the Dot Com Bubble and the 2003 Afghani oil shock. If we used the pre-adjusted rates the purchasing power index would actually be around 40% of what it was between 1990 and 2000. Requisite capitalist dystopia rabble rabble comment.
Actual average wages (even adjusted for inflation) in at least the USA have not increased since approx. 1980
I come from the era of VW when they advertised a base Jetta priced so low that it was “practically two for the price of one” (2011 and 16k respectively). I owned one of these and, as good as it was, the cost-cutting was palpable (looking at you Mexico).
With newer dubs, the price has risen but the quality absolutely has not kept that pace. We have barely had a chance to see what used German EV ownership is like and I shutter at the possibilities.
Adding to that, if I’m not mistaken, the OG VW Type 2 was about the equivalent of 22k new (adjusting for actual inflation, not BS post-covid price-gouging). So if my grandpa math is correct, our ancestors could have bought a new Cadillac Deville for the kind of money it takes for us to snag a base Volkswagen Buzz.
This was around the same era Americans used to brag about car ownership here vs the Soviet block where you waited years and paid a fortune to get a Trabant.
My how the tables have turned.
It’s all right, but do minivans sell anymore? VW should definitely have leaned harder into the styling and features. Rear airplane trays aren’t a bad start, but c’mon. No integrated coolers, IR stovetops or fold-out bike repair tables? And forget white interior. The Canoo might be vaporware, but it’s a better modern incarnation of the microbus.
They should just call it a 3 row crossover and sell loads.
try to go buy one, if its a kia or a toyota be prepared for a long wait or high markup.
Those rear trays look flimsy as fuck
Hard to tell from just pics, but the flat surface formed after folding the seats seems angled – like it’s tilted higher in the front than the rear. Anybody else seeing that?
I was interested in this when it was first announced. I then realized it was going to cost way too much so I got a hybrid Maverick instead.
VW just casually putting “Love the Earth” on a press car is pretty ballsy.
I really wanted to buy this to replace my Pacifica but the lack of fold flat seats is a deal breaker.
Difficult to do with the underfloor battery.
The PHEV Pacifica doesn’t have a fold flat 2nd row, your statement checks out.
Just seems like the designers had never even heard of a minivan or Honda Element when they designed this thing. There’s so much more that could have been done in the name of utility, and fuctionality.
If it’s got over 300 miles of range in AWD mode, it’s a winner. Give me a green one with the dark interior and I’m off to the races
I want to love this, I drive a Eurovan, but the Buzz is kind of a letdown. There’s not much to differentiate it from a regular minivan other than the fold flat seats. I know it’s dumb to bitch about the cost, but that eye watering price tag is not cool.
A loaded Odyssey or Sienna is north of 55k so it’s not completely out of whack considering batteries and the prize thereof.
It’s more that these vehicles have been going upscale overall.
Fair enough, this is equivalent to the upper trim minivans
a PHEV Pacifica is an easy $60k. minivans are really expensive now.
Those are also the most pathetic “fold-flat” seats I’ve ever seen, my family’s 2005 Honda Odyssey only has third-row folding seats, but they fold backwards into the low cargo area behind them to make a continuous actually flat cargo area all the way from the tailgate to the second row, which is larger than the bed in a lot of pickup trucks. It offers a colossal amount of cargo space without even needing to remove any seats like the VW makes you do, and my family has taken full advantage of it on numerous road trips. Despite it being a box, the most space-efficient vehicle layout, beyond that the packaging of the VW is just lazy and awful.
we are on our 2nd Odyssey, it absolutely rules
You can’t fold away because that’s where the batteries are.
Your average FWD minivan has basically nothing beneath the cabin floor, skateboard EVs don’t have that luxury.
One of the few cases where the typical EV packaging forces a worse compromise than the prior ICE version.
Honestly I wish VW just compared it to a Eurovan instead of to the Type 2s. Yeah this is worse than a Eurovan in general but it definitely cannot hold a candle to the Type 2s.
This thing is Heavy, tech reliant, no good off road, horribly expensive, and it has horrible driver visibility with those thick A pillars in the worst possible place at the worst possible angle. This is the Anti Type 2.
If they gave them monotone paintjobs, didn’t do a bunch of purely style things (like the fake air vents in the back), and didn’t act like it was the second coming of (Type 2) Jesus I would consider getting one, but when you’re forced to compare it to a Type 2 the Type 2 is a much better option.
ugh, white controls in the interior will just get so so grungy. I like the shorter wheelbase better but get why they’re going with just the 3-row for ‘merica. Look no further than the Wrangler Unlimited with it’s 4 doors, 2 door Wrangler is cooler, 4 door Wrangler outsells it by 10 times.
Give me a short wheel base cargo version with just the basics and a smaller battery (150 mile range is adequate) for $40k and I’ll get 4 of them. Ford, Ram and Nissan all left the small cargo van business and most are used in city service businesses (don’t need the long range), this would fill in that big hole.
My wife owns a houseplant store and does local delivery. A low range SWB cargo version would be the perfect vehicle for the business.
I expect the 1st auto manufacturer that can produce a relatively affordable small ev van for small businesses is going to seriously clean up!
I’d love to see the X-Bus come to the US it would be perfect as a local delivery van & it is an honest affordable (slow) ev van that is the real spiritual successor to the original type 2 bus
I go even more extreme: Give me a RWD shorty cargo version. I want something with an amazing turning circle that can still haul a decent amount.
I’m going to have to disagree, Torch. I like the long wheelbase model more.
But more importantly, your story reminds me of how I broke my middle finger (probably from overuse). A couple weeks later, I experienced an itchy sensation inside my splint. I took it off, and my nail fell to the floor. It was at that moment I realized how sensitive de-nailed finger flesh is. The memory still makes me wince.
I didn’t look at the fingernail, left the article, did some work, then came back and looked at the fingernail. What is wrong with me?
Fingernail!
I can already hear the plaintive whines of “it’s too haaaard to sell in America”
I like it, and look forward to hopefully seeing some on the road, but Ive said it before and I’ll say it again. Pricing it to start even $1 higher than the entry-tier Pacifica Hybrid is a mistake and they’ll make a few quick nostalgia sales before fading into disappointment and irrelevance. As discussed earlier in the week, Stellantis is taking crazy pills with their pricing as it is, and I don’t think there’s really a market for $60k luxury minivans from mainstream badges. Too much, too late.
Also, the SUV seating arrangement of 2:3:2 is sort of baffling
Hi. It’s me. I won’t buy a combustion vehicle anymore, so those don’t exist as comparables. It’s for me.
Also but 2:3:2 does not make any sense, stipulated, but I think there’s a 2: 22?
Among all vehicles in the world, why in hell the Microbus must have angry headlights? The most unsensible single design decision for years.
How they are not retro inspired round LEDs like on the Bronco and others is beyond me. I’m actually somewhat outspoken about how much of a failure the entire design of this vehicle is. Especially considering the interior, it’s just a forward cab minivan with louvers on the rear pillars…
Is the second row removable as well? I find it weird that so many utility vehicles don’t even attempt to make the second row stowable/removable/fold-flat-able
Torch said in another comment both the 2nd & 3rd row seats are removeable
I was hoping they would bring the cargo version over but if it’s $60k+, nevermind.
This. I have a 2006 caravan I use as a work/cargo rig and love it. If anyone comes out with an electric version with 250 mile range under $40k I would pounce on it.
I think what’s most confusing about finally bringing the van back is that, since the last one died in 2003, there hasn’t been a VW van to be nostalgic about for most of the lives of the majority of Americans. Millennials, Gen Z, and everyone younger make up more than 50% of the population but would only know of the VW bus from occasional movie appearance. I’m curious who is actually going to buy it given that limited nostalgia and the huge cost
Starting at $60k, this isn’t targeted at Gen Z and younger Millennials. Any lack of nostalgia on richer Millennials will be compensated by EV + Van Lyfe
Nobody that young can afford a new car anyway.
I like it, but as others have said, that price puts it firmly out of the reach of buyers with average means. The New Beetle (both generations) weren’t spiritual successors to the original Beetle, in that they weren’t the most economical option VW could sell you. If you wanted true economy and utility, you got a Golf. If you wanted to sacrifice some of that for style, you could buy a Beetle. But the Beetle wasn’t prohibitably expensive, true it was more than a similar Golf, but an average person could still afford one. I guess we can hope that prices decline, as I’m hoping will one day, happen with most EVs.
Also, they gave it a grille. I know it houses some of the radar stuff, and probably something else important. But it’s still got a damn grille. It just doesn’t look right.
An upscale Volkswagen vehicle
north of $50,000 has failed twice here already (Phaeton and Arteon), so why do they keep doing it? VW is not a premium brand in the US like the Germans think it is.
Don’t forget the CC.
And the glorious (batshit crazy) v10 tdi toureg :-). I think they sold them in the double digits!
Eww, a minivan, I don’t want to look like a soccer mom, I’ll just get a big SUV with awkward rear seat access
– thought process of American soccer moms
But this isn’t a minivan! See? Awkward third row access!
yes, if only car purchasing, and frankly this entire website, were based on sheer rationale, not emotion.
I find the “I have one kid. I must have a minivan” crowd far more hilarious, though that crowd is now mostly a relic of the past.
I said it before and I’ll say it again:
Always a good feeling when the car you’ve been waiting 22 years for arrives just when you’ve been totally priced out of the market.
“It’s not fair… that’s not fair at all… there was time now…time enough at last.”
I’ve been trying to place that quote since the last time you posted this, Ghosin. What’s it from?
Twilight Zone, the episode where the guy with glasses who loves reading is the sole survivor of a nuclear apocalypse and the library survives but he drops his glasses and they break.
Do I get a point for instant recognition?
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0734683
Not only priced out, but disappointed. This could have been a much quirkier, fun, vehicle, but no. That little window thingy doesn’t do it for me, for example. $60k+ and no real window openings in back? How’s a kid supposed to fly his hand in the breeze, throw up out the window, or any other fun stuff? And for the driver – give me my damned knobs! I have enough to deal with with a load of kids without having to deal with touchscreen madness.