In 1946, Dutch importer Ben Pon sketched a simple idea in his notebook, a commercial vehicle based on the Beetle. Four years later, the VW Type 2 was born, launching as both the passenger Kombi and the hard-working Transporter. The Kombi went on to become a global icon of freedom and counterculture, while the Transporter built a legacy of utilitarian excellence and series production that remains uninterrupted to this day.
Now, 75 years later, the Bulli is back and looking to provide something that offers electric mobility, for 7 people in amongst a grey sea of medium-sized SUVs. In actual fact, the ID.Buzz was first launched in Europe in 2022 to much acclaim and over-achieving sales, however, To address the ‘why has it taken so long to get here’ head scratcher, VW NZ told us that they were ‘waiting for the updated model’, a fair call as it turns out. The ID.Buzz has arrived fully formed, with a modern interior, a choice of battery and motor setups, and class-leading tech.
For New Zealand roads, the ID.Buzz is available in four flavours: the standard-wheelbase Pro, the long-wheelbase 7-seater Pro, the twin-motor GTX, and the Cargo van. All are distinctive, modern and unmistakably VW.
Buzz of the Town
The ID.Buzz is more than a nostalgic design exercise. It’s a confident, cleverly packaged electric people-mover with standout design and surprising versatility. In a sea of ‘grey’ mid-sized EV SUVs, it offers genuine personality, with 13 vibrant colour choices, including five two-tone options that nod to the Kombi’s pop culture past. The LED lighting “winks” hello, ambient cabin lighting (with 30 colours) sets a warm mood, and optional touches like a panoramic sunroof elevate the cabin experience.
With over 2,000 ‘personalisation options’, the ID.Buzz is as Unique as a snowflake but rides better than the driving snow
Dave McLeod
Cargo First: The Practical EV Billboard
Our first drive leg began in the ID.Buzz Cargo, taking the long way from Grey Lynn to a scheduled lunch spot at Piha and then back. However, with the infotainment clock not having been updated, my colleague and I thought we had an extra hour up our sleeve, so headed to Cornwallis first and arrived later than the rest. Sure we were late for lunch, but we did get more time in the Buzz.
Despite compact outer dimensions, the Cargo’s interior space is expansive, easily accommodating pallets or a decent day’s delivery load. Up front, the cab is sleek and ultra-modern, with a responsive infotainment system, digital cluster, and intuitive operation. Simply sit in the driver’s seat, flick the steering column stalk, and you’re silently on your way.
While rated to carry 707kg, the unladen van felt substantial on its feet. Its 210kW of power and 560Nm of torque provided brisk acceleration, and it tackled West Auckland’s winding roads with quiet confidence. Consumption hovered around 22kWh/100km, realistic enough to believe the claimed 382km of range is achievable, at least in optimal conditions.
But what really stood out? The attention. The Cargo might just be the most charismatic commercial vehicle around. For businesses looking to make an impact (both environmental and visual) the ID.Buzz Cargo is a rolling billboard with a halo.
Passenger Pro: Room for Everyone (and Everything)
For the return leg to Auckland, we swapped into the ID.Buzz Pro Long Wheelbase, and were immediately struck by the space. Families, rejoice: there’s a genuine sense of room to spread out. The third row is removable for added flexibility, and the middle row seats feel generously spaced. No more squabbling kids within elbow range of each other.
Up front, the comfort levels step up a notch. Heated and massaging electric seats, wireless charging pads, clever storage areas, it’s all been thought through with family life in mind. Touchscreens remain intuitive and highly functional, with a panoramic display stretching across the dash, borrowing much from the larger EV9. Connectivity is seamless with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and integrated navigation.
Driving it is surprisingly serene. The low centre of gravity gives a grounded, composed ride, while visibility is excellent from all angles. And thanks to 403km of claimed range, road trips suddenly feel less stressful, however, with this amount of range between charges, the ‘are we there yet?’ road trip comments will undoubtedly rear their ugly heads. Maybe the faster GTX model would be a better option? Either way, thankfully with VW’s long warranties, empty-nesters will be able to enjoy the EV’s silence and space in the future.
Power, Poise and… Potential?
Across all variants, the ID.Buzz delivers 210kW of power, stepping up to 250kW in the AWD GTX model. The GTX should appeal to those wanting extra zip, but for most drivers, the standard model’s performance is more than adequate—especially in this segment. Acceleration is punchy, refinement is high, and handling is clean, if a little detached at times, as expected with many EVs.
With a ride tuned for New Zealand roads and chunky 17-inch Gumho tyres that absorb the bumps, the Buzz feels at home here. Quiet, comfortable, and composed, it blends old-school Kombi charm with new-school electric serenity.
Buzz-Worthy!
Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz is a clever and stylish homage to its storied past, but it’s far from stuck in it. This is an EV that feels perfectly timed for today’s buyers: nostalgic yet future-focused, functional yet full of flair. Whether you’re transporting goods or grandkids, there’s an ID.Buzz to fit.
The only catch? Pricing starts at $114,990, so it’s not a cheap ticket to retro cool. But what you get in return is a genuinely unique vehicle that stands out in both purpose and personality.
And with a 5-year warranty, it’s built to keep buzzing for years to come.
