What’s this new car all about then?
It’s the retro-reborn electric Volkswagen Kombi everybody’s been talking about for years, silly: the ID. Buzz. The big news is that it’s finally here in New Zealand, and because we’ve waited so long it’s actually an updated model.
VW NZ has been keen to get its hands on the ID. Buzz since launch in 2022, but the European market got dibs in the early days, and then there was all that unpleasantness over here with people going off EVs a bit.
The local team had an opportunity to get ID. Buzz to market last year, but all things considered and knowing there was a new model in the works, it decided to wait and start fresh.
This 2025 version is a tech update rather than a facelift; it doesn’t look any different. But there are larger battery packs, improved seating configurations, a longer-wheelbase option with 7-seat layout and a new flagship dual-motor version that goes faster and grips better. Plenty of Buzz for Kiwi customers.
It’s all a bit of a Buzz-bomb of sizes and specifications, but essentially there are short and long-wheelbase body shapes, passenger and Cargo versions.
This 2025 version is a tech update rather than a facelift; it doesn’t look any different. But there's still plenty of Buzz around the local launch.
We don’t call the short one “short wheelbase”, by the way; it’s “normal wheelbase” according to VW, or NWB. So you can have the Pro passenger model in NWB or LWB (there’s 250mm difference), both with a rear-mounted 210kW/560Nm motor; but the shortie, sorry, normalie, gets a 79kWh battery (usable), while the longie gets a larger 86kWh unit. Ranges are 382/403km respectively.
The flagship GTX is LWB only and gets two motors to make it AWD, although combined power is only 40kW up on the RWD job: 250kW and front/rear torque of 134/560Nm. Range is 396km.
Last but certainly not least, because it gives this flash Kombi some commercial cred, is the Cargo version.
Maximum charge rates are 185kW for the smaller battery and 200kW for the larger. It can handle up to 11kW AC.
Still with us? Good. Last but certainly not least, because it gives this flash Kombi some commercial cred, is the Cargo version. It comes only on the NWB platform and has slightly different interior styling and more durable interior trim.
By the time you factor in the models, colours and various other options, VW NZ reckons there are over 2000 potential ID. Buzz configurations available.
But let’s talk seats. The Cargo has 3-across, which is pretty nifty. The Pro NWB comes as standard with 5 chairs, but for $2400 you can make it a 6-seater. The LWB versions are 7 seats, but it’s a no-cost-option to make them 6, which keeps the three rows but makes it a 2-2-2 layout.
The interiors have a familiar VW-vibe, although there's more hard plastic than you might expect of a vehicle at this price level - a reminder of the commercial-vehicle genes that lie beneath.
The passenger and Cargo models have slightly different dashboards, the latter with a simpler design that incorporates a large storage area below the windscreen.
Trim-wise, the Cargo has some tough-looking fabrics. The Pro versions get a nice blend of fabric seats with Sequal inserts (recycled, including 10% ocean waste) in a choice of 2 colours. The GTX gets a more upmarket/more subdued ArtVelour Microfleece upholstery.
By the time you factor in all of the above, the colours and various other options, VW NZ reckons there are over 2000 potential ID. Buzz configurations available. Of the 35 on the ground in NZ already, no two are exactly the same.
Ah yes, about that. Because of all the fun you can have creating your own, VW NZ is encouraging buyers to configure their cars first and then order them from the factory; they’ll arrive in around 5 months.
This is something national sales manager Scott Duggan calls “more of a Porsche business model”, partly intended to avoid the distress selling that has resulted from too much EV stock in recent times. Not just for VW, for lots of brands; seen the price of Polestars lately?
How much is it?
Oh, right. That’s kind of the bad news, because the ID. Buzz is pretty spendy. The Pro opens at $129,990 and it’s another $10k to go LWB. The GTX dual-motor is a whopping $149,990. Even the humble Cargo is $114,990.
Naturally, you can add to that with options. Some of our faves: the panoramic glass roof (largest of any VW Group vehicle) with “smart glass” that goes frosty at the touch of a button ($4000), Harman Kardon audio ($3500, but standard on GTX), or “diamond-turned surface” 21-inch alloys (19s are the standard size).
The Cargo gets some cool stuff too, like an interior Comfort package to bring it a bit closer to the passenger models ($550, although you lose the 3rd front seat), power operation for the sliding doors either side and/or tailgate (standard on the passenger models, individual pricing per item from $1000 to $3000) and the Universal Floor for the back ($1700). The fancy floor has mounting points compatible with products from German company Sortimo; yes, there’s a local distributor.
Colours? There are 7 single-tone and 6 dual-tone for the passenger models, although if you want the latter it’s another $5200. Some are restricted to the Pro or GTX versions.
For the Cargo, the only no-cost colour is white. Brighter hues add $1600 or a hefty $5800 for Paprika Red (not available on the passenger models, by the way) and yes, you can also go fancy with the 2-tone; there’s a choice of 3 combos, all adding $4800 to the sticker.
What’s it like to drive?
More like an EV-car than a van, which makes sense because the ID. Buzz is based on VW’s MEB passenger-car platform. So it shares quite a bit with the likes of the ID.4 SUV, although the tech-update makes this a teeny bit more advanced.
The steering is good and the single-motor models have a really nice cornering gait (that goes for the Cargo too, you lucky vannies). You can cruise along in the ID. Buzz and completely forget you’re driving what’s supposed to be an LCV-inspired product.
The GTX is a very particular thing. It’s brisk, but don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s some kind of retro-themed road rocket: the extra performance and traction are nice, but it’s also more than 300kg heavier than the Pro NWB, and the sportier suspension does result in a noticeably firmer ride.
What’s the pick of the range?
The Pro NWB puts its hand up as the best blend of performance, neat handling and luxury for the (admittedly considerable) money; and if you need an extra seat, there’s that 6-chair option.
There will be some who want/need the full 7-seat layout or the extra space, and others who simply must have the fastest and most expensive; for them there are the brace of LWB models. But we keep coming back to the Pro shortie.
Even the entry car has some surprise-and-delight equipment: IQ.Light Matrix LED headlamps, 3-zone climate control, 30-colour ambient interior illumination, power/massage front seats and the “Buzz Box” removable storage unit between the front seats.
Wireless phone projection is also standard, which is a step up from the Kiwi-market ID.4/5, although note that ID. Buzz still doesn’t have live services via an embedded SIM card; that’s still a WIP for all VW NZ models.
What other cars should I consider?
The ID. Buzz is unique by design, given the combination of pure-electric power, that unrivalled heritage and super-styling appeal. Contrived… but cool.
In terms of the Pro models, the closest thing is a luxurious supersized EV-SUV like the Kia EV9 ($105,990-$134,990). But it’s not quite the same thing, is it?
The only EV-van that has anything close to Buzz-appeal is the Ford E-Transit Custom; the Blue Oval doesn’t quote an official price (it’s a “request quote” situation), but it hovers around 6 figures. There’s the Transit-based Tourneo people-carrier too, but it’s diesel-only for NZ.