Volkswagen ID.Buzz (2024) – Our freedom steps

It took Volkswagen 20 years to release a “direct” successor to the Combi and finally it was Dieselgate that turned many experiments (3 concepts) into commercial reality. In fact, following this crisis, the German company invested heavily in the electricity program. A number of tags were born. Today it has 5 models but its best ambassador is ID.Buzz. This amazingly designed car (from Volkswagen) is a photo car, but not only that, because it sells! Last year, around 30,000 copies were sold around the world.

Mechanically, it’s not surprising since ID.Buzz takes the whole ID platform as well as the engine. Our version delivers a power of 204 hp. It draws its energy from a 77 kWh (essential) battery. The ability to be generous. On paper, the ID.Buzz promises a range of 415 km and short charging times thanks to the acceptance of power up to 170 kW. Its price starts at €59,450, which means: no ecological bonus. This year we will also have to rely on a long-wheelbase version, a 4-wheel drive version and later a “California” camper version.

We will see if, on the one hand, the van will be able to provide this kind of action in “real life”, and finally if it will recharge as quickly as announced by the manufacturer.

Despite its commuter silhouette, the city is perhaps the perfect environment for the ID Buzz. We recorded an average of 19 kWh/100 km during our cycle made with zones of 30 and 50 km / h, in traffic conditions on a weekday, in bad weather, it must be accepted, with an outside temperature of 8 ° C and less . the wind This high score brings the actual range up to 405 km in city use only until the battery is fully discharged. Not bad for a car of this size.

On the road of 80 km / h, where it has to travel often, ID.Buzz surprises with its very high consumption. We saw an average of 24 kWh/100 km recorded on our test route, which equates to a range of 320 km.

On the highway, it’s a disaster! Its large profile, its large 20” rims and its extra weight (2.2 tons) lead to increased consumption. In our route taken at the maximum authorized speed (130 km / h), the Volkswagen Van reached an average of 29.6 kWh/100 km, which brings various measures to the end of almost 260 km of stack.

We did our test in “normal” mode, in other words without practicing eco-drive and without increasing the regeneration by engaging Mode “B” set on the cruise control. Fortunately, the heat pump is there to reduce the use of air conditioning and heating on the high voltage battery.

Recharging is another point of tension. Powered by an 11 kW onboard charger (AC), the ID Buzz will take 7.5 hours to fully charge from 0 to 100%. In fact, customers with a 7.4 kW Wall Box will see the waiting time extended to almost 12 hours. At a typical home store, you will have to wait a day and a half to fuel up from 0%.

In the fast terminal, the charging power, i.e. 170 kW, is among the highest on the market. It really all depends on your battery level when you arrive at the station. First we loaded with 25% battery. The force proved to be disappointing. We saw an average of 60 kW and a 35 minute standby time going up to 80%. The second time, when we reached the terminal with 8% battery, we found a maximum power of 110 kW and a peak of 140 kW. The waiting time will be almost the same as the 80% recovery.

Note that the ID Buzz does not have the necessary battery pre-conditioning to increase the charge when the outside temperature is low, as it was during our test.

Note: for pictures

Touch, beautiful, natural, etc. Too many adjectives to fit this one Volkswagen ID. Buzz. On the other hand, in terms of utility, the van is among the most ambitious in our segment. Important weight, aerodynamics and it must be accepted the difficult conditions of the test (low temperature) did not play in his favor. Despite the comfortable battery capacity, its range leaves us wanting more, as does its charging power, which is far from the advertised performance. So you will have to look forward to every trip and avoid the highway as much as possible, the real enemy of ID Buzz.