The ID.Buzz is the Volkswagen Microbus remodelled for the all-electric age. It’s quite possibly the coolest MPV that has ever gone on sale, and we reckon it could finally disrupt our love affair with the SUV. While most people will be bowled over by the retro styling and wraparound windscreen, beneath the vibrantly coloured skin is a hugely versatile and well packaged vehicle that could fit seamlessly into family life. 

Key highlights

Although the Volkswagen ID.Buzz looks like a van and acts like a van, it’s definitely a passenger car. That means it’s smooth and refined at motorway speeds, comfortable and quiet in town and thanks to great visibility, light steering and an impressive 11.9m turning circle, it’s a doddle to drive. There are five seats, sliding doors, plenty of practical stowage and an absurdly generous boot. And yet at 4.7 metres long, it’s no bigger than an estate car.

Performance and range

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz is available from launch with a 77kWh battery and single rear-mounted 201bhp motor. Two generously-equipped trim levels include Life and Style, while a special 1st Edition model is also available for early adopters. Volkswagen says other versions with longer wheelbases, bigger batteries and more powerful motors are planned over the next few years.

Tech specs

Volkswagen ID.Buzz First Edition

• 0-62mph: 10.2 seconds
• Top speed: 90mph
• Battery: 77kWh
• Range:  255 miles
• Max charging speed: 170kW
• Boot space: 1121 litres

Similar models

If you’re looking for a stylish-yet-practical family car to lease, you could embrace the minibus aesthetic and check out the seven-seat Mercedes EQV. Alternatively, the falcon doors of the Tesla Model X may offer similar levels of traffic-stopping attention as the ID.Buzz, and is available with five, six or seven seats.