With the 2017 unveiling of the ID Buzz concept, Volkswagen announced that the iconic VW bus—forever a symbol of beachy road trips and 1960’s hippie freedom—was returning to the market as an EV. The hype machine went into overdrive.

Jump to 2024, and the vehicle that has been on roads in Europe for about two years is finally, finally, making its way onto US shores.

The cost (around $60K) is maybe higher than many had anticipated, and the vehicle’s range (around 230 miles) is likely lower than many had hoped. Throw in a very long wait from the unveiling to its arrival in the marketplace, and the hype has dwindled. After spending a day behind the wheel of one, however, I can say that the ID Buzz has rekindled some of that excitement I felt way back in 2017.

Home on the Range

A VW Bus can’t be mentioned without thoughts of tie-dyed Deadheads behind the wheel. Likewise, an EV can’t be unveiled to the public without mention (and scrutiny) of its range. The ID Buzz arrives with EPA range numbers that are sure to harsh some mellows: 234 miles for the rear-wheel-drive variant, and 231 miles for the all-wheel-drive model. That’s on par for an electric van but far short of most family vehicles, which can top 300 miles per charge.

During my drive—which took me through San Francisco, across the Golden Gate to Marin County, on some Bay Area freeways, and along the region’s scenic backroads—the RWD version of the ID Buzz averaged 2.8 miles per killowatt-hour over 54 miles. I should note that automotive journalists tend to push vehicles to their limits, testing acceleration, stopping frequently, judging the handling, and so on. Based on the vehicle’s 91 kWh gross capacity pack (of which, 86 kWh is available), the van was posting 240 miles of range. In regular use, it’s likely it will hit 245 to 250 miles of range.

That discrepancy between reported range and real-world range isn’t completely unexpected, as the Volkswagen Group has a history of underreporting its numbers. It did so with the Audi E-Tron, Porsche Taycan, and VW ID 4.

The AWD version posted an even more impressive 3.0 miles per kWh, bringing its range up to 258 miles, as measured over 40 miles. During this portion of the day’s drive, more of the route was on freeways; I experienced moderate traffic during this period and rarely got above 65 miles an hour. In fact, my average speed was 42 miles per hour.

This real-world range should be more than adequate for hauling people and cargo around town. For road trips and camping—what it feels made for—the vehicle’s very quick 200-kW peak charging rate (via a 400-volt architecture) does help reduce the pain of a sub-250-mile EPA rating. I’d rather have a vehicle with ID Buzz’s battery capacity with 230 miles of range that charges up at a super-fast 200 kW than a vehicle with 300 miles of range that charges at a much slower 120 kW.

For those charging at home with a wall socket, the vehicle supports AC charging at up to 11 kW.

The Transporter

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of piloting an old-school VW bus (aka Samba, Bulli, Transporter, or Microbus), then you’re aware how painfully slow it is to accelerate. It feels like the van’s zero-to-60 time is about three days. The ID Buzz’s electric drivetrain solves that issue, even if it’s never going to impress your Hyundai Ioniq 5N–owning friends. The “speedy” AWD trim level with 335 horsepower and 512 pound-feet of torque can motor from zero to 60 in about six seconds.

In a world where every EV needs to be able to pull a quarter mile in under 13 seconds, the leisurely acceleration of the ID Buzz is not only appropriate but welcome. It’s a van. It hauls your whole family. Undue acceleration makes passengers uncomfortable and scatters your Kirkland Signature sundries around in the cargo area.

I found the added acceleration helpful in a few instances while overtaking other drivers, but the traction (combined with appropriate all-season or winter tires) will make the AWD ID Buzz a solid winter vehicle for those living in regions with snow and ice.

For a daily driver, I prefer the lighter RWD variant with its 282 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. It’s more engaging around corners, and the reduced heft of the vehicle gives it a more nimble feel. To be clear, the Buzz is not a canyon-carving machine, but I was impressed by its ability to handle the curves along the Bay Area backroads. As with all EVs, the low center of gravity afforded by the battery pack helps. For its intended purpose as a people mover though, the vehicle’s suspension feels just a bit too stiff. Sure, that helps with cornering, but it translates to a slighter bumpier ride.

Slow Down There, Bulli

One interesting aspect of the ID Buzz is how Volkswagen handles passive regenerative braking. In the default comfort mode, it does not use passive regen. You can lift your foot off the accelerator and just coast. If you turn the steering column-mounted shifter to B, passive regen is engaged. It feels about mid-level compared to the similar feature on other vehicles; the van slows but not too much. There is no option for the type of one-pedal driving found in EVs from BMW, Chevrolet, and Tesla.

You can also access an even less aggressive passive regen when the vehicle is placed into Sport mode. Volkswagen says it’s there to re-create the feeling of engine braking. The problem here is that all the driving modes are located in the vehicle settings portion of the infotainment system. Changing the drive mode requires two taps on the main screen. Sport mode makes only a slight adjustment to the acceleration mapping to increase the Buzz’s acceleration speed, so it’s not really worth the hassle. Unless you turn this on before you embark, stick with Comfort mode.

So Much Room for Activities

The hype around the ID Buzz proves the power of nostalgia. And since the automotive world loves celebrating the past, automakers exploit that feeling in their designs. The DNA of those original VW microbuses is apparent in the ID Buzz. It has short overhangs, tons of windows, and a two-tone paint job. It’s the microbus we never bought (but maybe wanted to) wrapped in a greener package.

Thankfully, just like the original Microbus, the ID Buzz is a wonder of utility. It has a whopping 146 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s one cubic foot more than a Chevy Suburban and five more than the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid. The RWD version comes standard with seating for seven. The AWD variant ships with captains chairs in the second row and seats six. All three rows can be slid forward or back to adjust for legroom and storage.

Unlike in most three-row SUVs, sitting at the back of the Buzz was a comfortable experience for my 6-foot-3 body. We also piled four WIRED colleagues into the van for a long loop around the neighborhood, and everyone had plenty of room.

With all the seats in use, the cargo space behind the third row is 18.6 cubic feet. That’s enough for a large grocery haul or several peoples’ luggage. The third row of seats can be folded down to make a flat surface in the back, and VW offers an insert for the rear cargo area that comes with two handy drawers. If you need more space, the third row can be removed entirely.

To help keep items from sliding around, the Buzz is equipped with velcro partitions that are stored in the walls of the cargo area. The center console is removable and moveable. You can move it from between the front seats to the second row in vehicles equipped with captain’s chairs. Or just pull it out entirely. One nice touch: The dividers in the center console double as a bottle opener and an ice scraper.

Meanwhile, VW has gone full USB-C. Every seat gets at least one charging port. There are seven ports in total. There’s also one 15-watt USB port near the rearview mirror to accommodate a dash cam. A 110-volt, 150-watt power outlet is available under the passenger seat.

This all before you get into the world of aftermarket add-ons, where you are sure to find a plethora of options for the Buzz. It’s all very clever, and a reminder that the VW bus is a canvas for your lifestyle.

Finally, the issues that have famously been plaguing VW’s infotainment system for years have been solved. The 12.9-inch display was easy to use, navigate, and more importantly, had little in the way of latency. VW has added ChatGPT integration for the voice assistant, but that requires a network connection, and I wasn’t able to fully test it, since most of the drive was in areas where cell service was spotty or absent. When I was able to test it, it returned a solid answer in a timely fashion.

Weirdly though, as an adventure vehicle, the Buzz does not ship with a dog or camping mode. When asked about this, Volkswagen said it was looking into it. More than a few journalists inquired about these features, which are found in Rivians and Teslas and make all sorts of sense for the Buzz. So don’t be surprised if those modes show up in an OTA software update.

How Much Again?

Which brings us to the second sticking point of the ID Buzz. The RWD Pro S model starts at $59,995, and this is because Volkswagen essentially offers a mid-level trim as the entry-level model. For example, this starting configuration ships with 12-way adjustable heated and vented front seats with a massage feature. Heated seats are also standard for the second row. It has three-zone climate controls.

All those USB ports are also standard. So is that 110V outlet. For those late night raves, a 30-color ambient lighting feature is standard.

Volkswagen is building all its ID Buzzes at a single factory in Hanover, Germany. This means US buyers cannot claim an EV purchase tax credit, since the Inflation Reduction Act requires vehicles to be assembled in North America to qualify for the tax break. If the automaker offers a lease, then the van does become eligible.

Volkswagen is aware this is a niche vehicle. While the buzz around the Buzz has died down, it will still likely sell out in its first year. VW would not comment on whether it will offer a cheaper trim option in the future or whether it plans to expand its production to the US.

Yet even with its lack of a true entry-level price and a range that, while underreported, is less than anticipated, the ID Buzz is exactly what it should be. It is a fun-to-drive nostalgia machine with enough storage and utility to make it a solid weekend hauler for families who enjoy an active lifestyle. And your five children will be quite comfortable in the back as you bore them to tears with your Summer of Love playlist.