As the rapid shift to EVs keeps building up, Volkswagen has been at the forefront of delivering new and prestigious sustainable mobility. Between its EV charging push and the ID.4, the Wolfsburg-based automotive giant has shown commitment and action. Despite the seemingly unassailable progress, the superbly elegant and eye-catching 2023 ID.Buzz takes Volkswagen's efforts to new heights. Such is the strength of its undeniable cool factor.
Sporting a design that commemorates VW's iconic Type 2 Microbus, the ID.Buzz expertly balances form and function (or at least attempts to) thanks to an array of retro-modern features and functional amenities. The US-spec model, for instance, will offer three rows of seats, power sliding doors, numerous cupholders, and an aesthetically pleasing design underpinned by VW's dedicated battery electric MEB platform. We have listed the ten coolest things about the 2023 VW ID.Buzz below.
10 Car-Like Drag Coefficient
Despite its boxy shape and somewhat flat front end, the ID.Buzz is a slippery low-drag van that cuts through the air with as much confidence as a 2019 VW Golf would. The passenger model has a drag coefficient (CD) of 0.285, while the Buzz Cargo maintains a Cd of 0.29. This allows the van to have up to 258 miles of range, enabling owners to travel further per charge.
Also crucial is how VW engineers optimized the ID.4 for parking in tight city parking spaces. The van's tight turning radius of just 11.1 meters and standard rear-wheel drive help the driver maneuver with precision in reduced corridors, which is good news for those who do a lot of miles in urban environments.
9 Streamlined, Chic Design
Combining numerous fun cues, retro accents, and warm tones, the ID.Buzz is a teasingly seductive van that charms with its elegance and sophistication.
The ID. Buzz's retro-modern style is unique and truly expressive of the hugely popular original Transporter, which inspired its design, thanks to an iconic and easily recognizable exterior that symbolizes the connecting line between the past and the future.
8 Two-Tone Paint Schemes
Along with the V-shaped bonnet, the two-tone paintwork is among the most charming retro-style cues linking the ID.Buzz to the iconic hippie-era T1 Transporter. The classic two-tone color schemes are available in four options: Lime Yellow/Candy White, Starlight Blue/Candy White, Energetic Orange/Candy White, and Bay Leaf Green/Candy White.
VW will also offer seven single-color options, including Candy White, Mono Silver, Lime Yellow, Starlight Blue, Energetic Orange, Bay Leaf Green, and Deep Black.
7 Roomy & Versatile Interior
The VW ID.Buzz combines the dynamism of a competent van with a highly variable interior and versatile options for leisure time and business use. The five-seater passenger model has approximately 40 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in use. With the second-row bench seats folded down, the luggage capacity increases significantly to around 78 cubic feet. We expect the US-spec model, which has room for seven passengers, to provide even more space, owing to its extended wheelbase.
The ID. Buzz Cargo, which comes with three seats, has around 138 cubic feet of space for cargo and a maximum payload of approximately 1433 pounds. Its adjustable load floor is also highly accessible and can be reached via a top-hinged, wide-opening tailgate or a sliding door on the passenger side. Shoppers can also specify the ID.Buzz Cargo with rear barn-style doors and twin sliding side doors.
6 Great Outward Visibility
The ID.Buzz is a functional vehicle designed for city driving, so expect the forward visibility to be excellent. Its upright seating position offers a commanding view of the road ahead, and the split pillars at the front severely enhance the forward visibility.
Being able to see around the van helps drivers maneuver safely, enhancing the safety of passengers and cargo.
5 Sustainable Materials
With sustainability at the forefront of its design, Volkswagen avoided using leather and other materials of animal origin in the 2023 ID.Buzz. Instead, the German manufacturer used a host of recycled materials that would impress eco-conscious consumers wanting to do their part for Mother Nature.
In the interior, for instance, VW utilized leather-like polyurethane on the steering wheel rim, while the seat covers, headliner, and floor covering are made with resource-conserving materials such as recycled polyester yarn consisting of marine plastic and recycled PET bottles.
4 Interactive Lighting
Like other members of the VW ID. family, the ID.Buzz comes standard with "ID.Light" – a narrow, interactive light strip that stretches across below the windscreen such that the driver can easily view it but does not interfere with their field of view needs.
The feature uses various light pulses – up to 54 multi-colored LEDs – to communicate with the driver. It signals when the ID.Buzz is locked or unlocked, when its drive system is active, or when there's an incoming phone call. While driving, the system will blink to recommend a lane change or communicate other actions like braking.
3 Power-Operated Liftgate
Yet another impressive feature on the 2023 ID.Buzz is the power liftgate. This convenience-focused feature allows you to fully open and close the liftgate from the driving seat or the remote control key button, making life a little bit easier.
The ease of closing your tailgate automatically at the press of a button makes the ID.Buzz all the more practical for everyday use.
2 Automated Parking System
To ease the burden on consumers' busy lives, VW is offering the ID.Buzz with an automated parking system that allows the van to maneuver in and out of tight parking spaces by automatically controlling the steering wheel.
When driving by in a parking lot, all you have to do is press the Park Assist button. The ultrasonic sensor mechanism detects parking spaces and determines whether an identified space is large enough to park the van safely. Once a parking space is detected, you'll be notified via a message on the multifunction display. You then stop the vehicle, select reverse gear, release the steering wheel, and watch it do the trick.
1
Over-the-Air Software Updates
Like any other connected device such as a smartphone, the ID.Buzz can be regularly updated for improved performance.
Updating the vehicle's software over the air allows you to access the most up-to-date applications and features and enables the van's systems to stay current with the latest security updates.