A Weekend With the ID. Buzz
Ben Swan – Community Engagement Manager
Can you feel nostalgia for a time you never lived through? I think you can, and the Volkswagen Microbus perfectly captures that feeling for me. Like the Beetle and Golf GTI, the Microbus is instantly recognizable. Volkswagen’s knack for blending unique style with practicality is a winning formula, but they stumbled with the early 2000s Beetle revival. That car, to me, felt like a Beetle in name only. It had the retro styling, sure, but it was essentially a Golf platform – front-engine, front-wheel drive – with compromised handling and less practicality. So, when I heard about Volkswagen’s plan to revive the Microbus, I was skeptical, remembering my disappointment with the new Beetle. Then I saw it.
My name is Ben Swan, and I’m thrilled to join the Cartelligent team. My passion for cars runs deep, going back to my earliest memories. I see cars as more than just transportation. They’re vessels for experiences and memories. My previous experience working at a car dealership left me frustrated with a process that does not prioritize the customer. That’s why I’m so excited about Cartelligent. We share a genuine love for cars and prioritize a fun, customer-centric experience, mirroring the joy of driving a new car home. We act as your industry insider allies, offering a consultative approach to your car search. I’m eager to connect with you, talk cars, and help you find your perfect vehicle!
As a college freshman, I saw the ID. Buzz concept at the LA Auto Show, and I was immediately captivated. It wasn’t just a shallow attempt at nostalgia; it was a sophisticated fusion of Volkswagen’s legacy with modern design. This approach resonated deeply, especially when considering the original Microbus’s cultural impact. In the 1960s, the Microbus became an icon of the burgeoning American counterculture, symbolizing both freedom and a rejection of gas-guzzling vehicles. Much like with the Beetle, Volkswagen marketed its simplicity and practicality, positioning it as an ideal vehicle for life, work, and leisure. Sharing the Beetle’s reliable, air-cooled engine and featuring a spacious, open interior, it became the perfect adventure vehicle. However, Volkswagen’s past success with the original Microbus presents a significant challenge: how to recapture that iconic magic while meeting the demands of 21st-century technology and expectations?
The Concept
The Reality
Fast forward to 2025, and I finally got to drive the new ID. Buzz for a weekend. To give you some context, I’m a hot hatchback fan, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. If you’d asked me how I felt about taking a van out for a few days, I’d have dismissed it immediately. I went into this review expecting to love the looks but be wholly underwhelmed by everything else. In reality I couldn’t have been more wrong. Face to face with this quirky van, I was shocked at how well-rounded the ID. Buzz handles daily driver duties. Inside, the cabin is flooded with natural light from the panoramic roof and expansive windows. The front view is incredible – it felt more like a well-appointed jet cockpit than a ground vehicle. The seats are comfortable and highly adjustable, and the massaging function is a delightful bonus, especially in traffic. The rear legroom would embarrass a Mercedes S-Class, and the third row is surprisingly comfortable. Everyone I took for a ride loved the experience, regardless of where they sat. It’s easy to appreciate the design and comfort when it’s parked, but on the road, those positives can quickly fade.
Volkswagen has a loyal following, and I’m one of them. I’ve owned several Golf GTIs, which fit my 20-something bachelor lifestyle perfectly: practical, fuel-efficient, and fun when I want them to be. I had zero expectations for the ID. Buzz’s handling, but it surprised me with its dual personality. It’s a smooth, practical family hauler, but with the low-mounted battery pack, it handles corners with surprising agility and confidence. The adjustable drive modes offer responsive steering and pedal feel, making it far more nimble than its size suggests. Playing with the regenerative braking and vehicle settings allows you to enjoy the many personalities of the ID. Buzz. A significant departure from the original Microbus is the drivetrain and chassis. Back when safety was less of a concern, occupants sat right at the front of the vehicle with their knees as the crumple zone, and with a microscopic 30 horsepower, getting to your destination required an early departure. Things are quite different in the ID Buzz, weighing in at just over 6100 lb, and with 335 horsepower in the dual motor variant, you can whisk around easily and keep up with modern traffic. I felt like the power level was perfectly suited considering the size of the vehicle. You don’t feel the need to drive this car aggressively because you can fully enjoy the experience cruising around and enjoying the great stereo and expansive views around you. If you aren’t used to getting second looks in your car, though, you better get used to it here.
Throughout my years as a car nerd, I’ve had the opportunity to drive various attention-grabbing vehicles. Whether it’s large off-roaders or Exotic sports cars, you are well aware that people are looking over at you. I was not prepared for how much attention this thing draws. Granted, the two-tone Pomelo Yellow Metallic with Candy White is one of the more vibrant combos, so everyone wanted to take a second glance. Unlike the more flashy vehicles I’ve driven, the reception to the ID Buzz was overwhelmingly positive. Kids and adults alike instantly recognized the iconic hippie bus lines, and I met a lot of great people who reminisced on their time owning the original Microbus and how great a job VW did with this refresh for the modern era. In the way that the original Microbus was a statement against the big V8 wagons of its time, I find the ID Buzz to be the perfect statement against the wave of monotonous SUVs that most people drive. Being similar in size to many large SUVs nowadays, the Buzz offers so much more space while being a fun car that makes you smile every time you step inside. For me, it is so refreshing to see a vehicle that not only serves as a practical daily driver and adventure mobile but still has the personality and sense of humor anyone can enjoy.
Returning the ID. Buzz at the end of my weekend, I reflected on how great the experience was, and also a little bit sad, I already miss driving and admiring the quirky design. Even though this vehicle might be a bit oversized considering my current needs, if you are in the market for an SU,V I urge you to take a look at the ID. Buzz, and your commute will never be the same. If you are interested, our team at Cartelligent would be more than happy to help you find an ID. Buzz or any other vehicle. You can enjoy a consultative experience where we take care of everything from sourcing your perfect car to negotiating and getting it delivered. Get started HERE and enjoy the ride!
