Overview
A KOMBI inspired van was always going to be something of a hit with sentimentalists of a certain era.
Even with electric power, it’s a formula that tugs at the heart strings of those who remember the “good old days” … days when slow progress and the occasional engine fire were de rigueur.
But nostalgia is indeed a powerful tool, a tool sharp enough to attract cashed-up buyers perhaps wishing to relive their youth in a more socially and environmentally sensitive manner.
The ID.Buzz embraces much of that glow – even in the Cargo format tested here. It is undeniably cool, and (mostly) very well thought out, delivering the smarts commercial buyers require with the technology and comfort modern ‘Kombi’ buyers demand.
The short-wheelbase ID.Buzz Cargo on test is available from $69,990 plus on-road costs and is a logical rival to the Farizon SV (from $71,490), Ford Transit Electric (from $77,890), LDV eDeliver 7 (from $67,358), and perhaps even Volkswagen’s own Transporter BEV (from $83,590).
BUT – and it’s a very big but – the Volkswagen ID.Buzz has a significantly reduced cargo capacity when measured against its competitor set, falling victim to a chunky 2376kg kerb weight and offering just 774kg of payload. That’s about the same as a Volkswagen Caddy, or around half-a-tonne less than the Volkswagen Transporter.
Braked towing is a somewhat lacklustre 1200kg and the ball weight just 75kg.
On the plus side, there are two sliding doors, an electric rear tailgate (an $890 option), seamlessly flat cargo floor, protected sides, a sturdy bulkhead, brilliant LED lighting, and useful lashing points on three of the cargo walls. Volkswagen has thought of its end-user well here, even offering separate locking between the passenger and cargo cabin for those who are in-and-out of their van all day long.
Further forward, the passenger cabin offers seating for three, fabric upholstery, dual-zone climate control, power outlets galore, truly useful oddment storage, keyless entry and start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, easy-to-clean vinyl flooring, and even a heat-reflecting windscreen.
The instrument panel is digital and measures just 5.7 inches while the infotainment array dominates the dash’ at 12.9 inches. It hosts wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB+ digital radio reception, voice control, and access to a bevy of vehicle settings and personalisation tools.
The ID.Buzz also offers a wireless phone charger and a USB -C port for your dash camera.
Other standard inclusions are 18-inch steel wheels with aerodynamic trim covers, LED lighting front and rear, and a generous catalogue of safety technologies including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, lane keeping and departure assistants, a reversing camera, and six airbags.
Volkswagen backs the ID.Buzz Cargo with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with an eight-year/160,000km warranty on the high-voltage battery pack. Service intervals are set at 24 months/20,000km (whichever comes first) with capped-price servicing running to $1450 for six years.
Roadside assistance is included in two-year blocks when servicing through the Volkswagen network.
Driving Impressions
The ID.Buzz range (including the ID.Buzz Cargo on test) is underpinned by Volkswagen’s somewhat ubiquitous MEB (or Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukasten) platform. Think of it as modular foundation on which cars, SUVs, and even vans can be constructed with differing drive configurations and motor and battery sizes.
In the case of the ID.Buzz Cargo, the framework plays host to a single permanent magnet rear-mounted electric motor and single-speed reduction gear driving the rear wheels. Output is listed at 210kW/550Nm and battery capacity 79kWh (net).
The high-voltage power system (400v) draws from a lithium-ion battery pack that can deliver up to 431km range in ideal conditions. Volkswagen quotes an official energy consumption rate of 20.3kWh/100km, which in our experience isn’t too far from the mark.
Charging is rated at up to 185kW via a DC fast charger with a 10-80 per cent state of charge (SoC) achieved in 26 minutes. A full charge via an 11kW AC device takes 7.5 hours.
In real-world use, these numbers stack up rather well. We could only access a 50kW DC charger for the duration of the test but found charge times acceptable. At home, with a domestic (240v/10a) GPO progress was far slower, but of course that is to be expected.
Driving range, depending on topography and average speeds, ranged from about 380km at worst to around 415km at best per complete charge. It’s a long way short of a diesel van, for sure. But a figure that is closely aligned to the manufacturer’s claims, which is a bit of a rarity these days…
In terms of driving character, the ID.Buzz Cargo is something of a surprise. Performance is brisk and acceleration wonderfully linear, the willingness to respond to throttle immediate – even at highway speeds. The throttle is sensibly modulated (so as not to whisk you into the cargo bay at the slightest prod) and may be altered through various modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual) to soften or hasten response as required.
The ID.Buzz Cargo cruises comfortably with dutiful assistance from the ADAS nannies. We found the calibration of the driver assistance bundle to be ideal for Australian roads, intervening as necessary without over-reacting. The system is easy to use, with steering wheel spoke buttons offering direct access to commonly used functions. Why more manufacturers can’t get this right is beyond us…
Volkswagen has tuned the chassis of the ID.Buzz Cargo to offer almost SUV-like levels of handling prowess – and comfort. It is a surprisingly supple ride that quells road imperfections rather well. Add a little load to the back, and it’s just about ideal.
Of course, that means there’s a slight trade-off when it comes to handling. The ID.Buzz Cargo can tend to squat and pitch under heavy acceleration and braking but keeps lateral motion in check. This creates a slightly unusual dynamic when “giving it the berries”, but in most conditions is barely noticeable.
Traction and road grip are absolutely terrific, the front-to-rear balance of the ID.Buzz Cargo offering predictable engagement, even with the Giti-branded rubber fitted to our test car. We found the steering likewise agreeable, being car-like quick, though perhaps less tactile.
Volkswagen’s disc (front) / drum (rear) braking combination is smooth and effective with reliable pedal pressure and adequate assistance. In combination with regenerative braking (or ‘B’ mode), we found little issue in bringing the weighty van to a standstill, managing a smooth action with no hard ‘full stop’ when braking at the ‘lights.
From the driver’s viewpoint, the ID.Buzz Cargo almost nails the brief. The seating position is sound, as is the relationship with the vehicle’s primary controls. Forward visibility is excellent, and road noise non-existent. However, that’s not to say the modern-day Kombi isn’t without its flaws.
With no grab handle on the A pillar, we found getting in and out of the ID.Buzz Cargo a chore. Maintaining three points of contact is just about impossible, the slippery plastic step another oversight that clearly needs a rethink.
We were also very disappointed with the hand-clap style wipers. The motor resonates distinctly through the forward bulkhead and the blades chatter on the windscreen. On a long, wet drive it’s enough to send you around the twist. Talk about a fair-weather friend…
Understandably, the interior of the ID.Buzz Cargo is, let’s just say, hard-wearing, with acres of black plastic to endure. Yes, it’s well considered and offers plenty in the way of storage, but some painted surfaces to match the exterior of the car (a la the original Kombi) might have gone a long way toward cheering up an otherwise utilitarian cabin.
We’d also appreciate a centre armrest for longer journeys, perhaps a fold-down job that can be moved aside when not in use, and the ability to remove the centre head-restraint to improve rearward visibility. They’re little things, for certain, but ones that would benefit the driving experience no end.
While not a match for the workhorse Transporter, the ID.Buzz Cargo is a smart alternative for those who need the space a commercial van offers, without the payload and towing capacity.
It’s an attractive, well-finished, and (mostly) well considered vehicle that ticks most of the boxes an electric van should – and wraps it up in a retro-styled package you just can’t help smile at. What’s not to like about that?