Volkswagen ID. Buzz – far out, dude!

YOU could say it’s the modern equivalent of the Volkswagen Type 2 hippie van from the 1960s and 70s – and the buzz surrounding it is louder than the feedback from an amplifier stack at Glastonbury.

We’re talking about the cool, quirky and utterly fabulous new Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric multi-purpose vehicle, which has turned heads and set tongues wagging like no other model we have reviewed.

The al fresco diners stop eating, the outdoor drinkers splutter mid-mouthful and the conversation pauses as the Buzz breezes by.

Traffic was temporarily halted on a mini-roundabout as a bus driver wound down his window and offered to swop his double-decker for our two-tone Energetic Orange with Candy White camper.

Well actually it’s not a camper, though no doubt there will be something more extensively kitted out in that department a bit further down the line.

It’s a five-seat (though a long wheelbase seven-seater is imminent) fully electric MPV that elevates that traditional one-box design to new heights at the same time as giving it character, comfort and an upmarket feel.

Move inside and the experience is retro but modern, bright and light with lots of breathing space, legroom and elbow room plus a huge windscreen and cubbies, cup-holders and storage spots.

It all feels very fresh, clean and user-friendly and there’s also a removable Buzz box that can be securely anchored between the front seats and offers some extra deep stowage.

Access to the rear is via sliding doors and all three places in the three-seat bench are comfortable and offer adequate legroom, though there is a gripe.

For some reason the rear windows don’t open, and whether or not you are a fan of air-con, it’s still refreshing to have one or more open rear windows on a hot summer day.

As for the boot, well there’s a wide opening, a low loading sill and lots of space, a whopping 1,121 litres behind the rear seats to be exact.

And our tested Style model, the higher of the two available trim grades, also featured a Multiflex floor which creates a fully flat 2,232mm load area when the rear seats are folded down.

Power comes via a 204PS electric motor driving the rear wheels and powered by a 77kWh battery and thanks to the advanced VW on-board tech the ID. Buzz can be charged from five to 80 per cent in 30 minutes.

Its range is officially 255 miles though that figure may be appreciably less in real-world terms depending on driving style, the seasons and other variables that can make a difference.

Regardless of where or how far you travel, one thing doesn’t change much – just how enjoyable the ID. Buzz is to drive.

Despite its size the Volkswagen is composed, balanced and manoeuvrable with quite light steering and a surprisingly tight turning circle – a really sweet MPV.

It’s not slow either, the electric powertrain ensuring plenty of thrust, and comes packed with safety kit and the same touchscreen infotainment set-up as VW’s other electric vehicles.

Pricing isn’t exactly cheap, starting from just over £58,000, but the ID. Buzz is an absolute belter of a vehicle – a modern classic in the making.