2024 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Comes To North America As 3-Row Electric Van

After a lot of, well, buzz, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz van is finally making its way to American shores—and with big modifications from the European version, namely an entire new row of seating.   

First introduced in 2017 as an electric concept car based on VW’s classic 1950 Type 2 van, the ID. Buzz made its European debut in 2022 as a two-row, five-seat minivan. The German automaker knew from the outset that Americans don’t like five-seat MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles) like Europeans, and determined from the start that the stateside Buzz would be larger and have more seats. On Friday the brand finally revealed its three-row, seven-seat version with a longer wheelbase and bigger battery.

The world premiere took place in Huntington Beach, California—a surfer hot spot known for vans parked at the beach—and streamed online. Hundreds of classic VW buses from Type 1, Type 2, Cab Pickup, Vanagon and Westfalia owners from all over were on display at the premiere event. Comedian and VW van collector Gabriel Iglesias had some of his collection lined up at the beach. He said he’s still looking to add a 1950 Type 2 bus.

The electric version of the Microbus for North America has a 91 kWh battery (up from 82 kWh in Europe) and two configurations, a single-motor rear-drive version with 282 horsepower and an optional 330-hp dual motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup. The rear-mounted motor has a torque of 406 pound-feet and a one-speed transmission and new inverter. The U.S. model can now get to an electronically-limited 99 mph compared to the Euro Buzz’s 90 mph.

Two Vs. Three Rows Vs. Microbus

Compared to its European counterpart, the boxy Buzz is almost 10 inches longer with a 127.5-inch wheelbase (117.6 for the Euro version). It’s monstrous compared to its original inspiration: The original Type 2 van was the length of a 2019 VW Beetle. But on corners and at speed the new, bigger van should feel much more stable with the heavy battery and powertrain grounding it. 

The bigger battery, enabled by the longer wheelbase, helps the rear motor make 81 more horsepower than the rear-drive European model (282 hp to Europe’s 201), but any ID.Buzz is a rocketship compared to the original Bus and many of its successors. The original Type 2 started with barely 25 hp and eventually got 70 hp, while the 1980s-era Vanagon never reached more than about 112. The ID. Buzz will probably be the fastest factory-issue Volkswagen van ever built.

The 20-inch wheels are 4 inches larger in diameter than the 1950 Type 2’s. Things have changed in the past few decades as cars and their crash structures have grown.

The Buzz is fully electric with the same battery platform as the upcoming ID.7 electric sedan with an estimated range of 263 miles for the single motors and 252 for the AWD Dual. In the European two-row version with a smaller battery, a single charge can yield up to 250 miles. The Euro version offers bi-directional charging and a charge rate up to 170 kW.

Groovy Looks, Modern Tech

While the ID. Buzz is much larger than the original bus and bears some resemblance to the European-market T7 Transporter (a descendant of the original vans), there are hints of VW’s past sprinkled throughout the electric van.

The familiar oversized VW logo on the front face is the most obvious—even if the front end has become more rounded and less triangular and replaced with a diamond-pattern grille. The second row still has sliding windows like the original—but they open and close at the push of a button. The wood-like dash is inspired by the 1950 Type 2 look. 

Modern flourishes include ambient lighting with 30 different colors and a massive panoramic glass sunroof with electrochromic tinting which can go from clear to opaque with a swipe of a button. The standard version comes with a steel roof.

The obvious biggest difference between the Euro Buzz and the North American is the number of rows. The third row, which can be removed, adds two more seats. But with a third row, there’s less cargo space when traveling full up with passengers. The longer wheelbase likely means more space overall when the seats are folded or removed, but Volkswagen hasn’t released its exact dimensions yet.

The seven-seater can be modified with captain seats in the second row (for a total of six seats) which is an increasingly popular configuration on minivans. Storage can always spread to the roof. With the short overhang, there’s no room for a front trunk, or frunk, common on many EVs.

Both rows can lie flat and an available board extends the surface for potential sleeping arrangements. Camping trip anyone?

Up front, the 12.9-inch touchscreen offers connections to phones and most car features and entertainment options. The system is updated to align with the upcoming ID.7’s system. A 5.3-inch cockpit screen sits behind the wheel. Throughout the van, there are eight USB-C ports and various plugs and outlets.

Volkswagen’s ID. Light and IQ.Drive driver assistance systems come standard, providing information for drivers along with Level 2 driving assistance, meaning the driver needs to have hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. 

2024 Volkswagen ID. Buzz: When and how Much? 

The three-row ID. Buzz will go on sale in the U.S. in 2024 and be considered a 2024 model year machine.

The North American version will offer new exterior colors such as Cabana Blue, Metro Silver and Indium Grey. The two-row color options (Energetic Orange, Pomelo Yellow and Mahi Green) are still available, as is a two-tone retro look. Interior options include three combinations: dark brown and black; light gray and clay and light brown seating with yellow piping and light gray door inserts. All include a wood-like dash.

Pricing for North America hasn’t been released yet and likely won’t be announced until late this year or even early 2024, but the European version sold out last year at a roughly $68,000 starting price, a heady sum for a minivan, but then, there are no other fully electric minivans yet. The newest ID. Buzz will only be available as one trim model but with options (AWD, the glass roof) and packages available to add onto the retro ride.

Volkswagen provided lodging, meals and travel to enable us to bring you this first-person report. Although Forbes Wheels sometimes participates in manufacturer-hosted events, our coverage is independent, unbiased and aimed at offering consumers an objective view of every vehicle we test.