VW ID.Buzz first look: An EV that makes vans cool again

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We’re in the middle of an EV revolution and every day it feels like there’s a new electric car, truck or SUV hitting the road. But if you want an electric van, your options are a lot more limited, which is precisely what VW is hoping to address with the upcoming ID.Buzz.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the ID.Buzz’s Microbus concepts we’ve seen over the past 20 years, this is a production-ready car, so it’s more or less what you’ll see at dealers. And I think it looks absolutely fantastic, which is actually kind of impressive. Normally, when you think about buying a van, it feels like you’re giving up on being hip or cool in favor of practicality.

Just like the original, VW has kept the Microbus’ two-toned color scheme. Though if that’s a bit much for your taste, there will also be less flashy single-color paint jobs. Meanwhile, to bring the Microbus’ design into the 21st century, the company has gone minimalist with a lot of its details, opting for clean lines and a big VW logo in front and back, along with blacked-out pillars that makes the bus look like it’s wearing a visor.

Gallery: Photos of the VW ID.Buzz | 16 Photos

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Gallery: Photos of the VW ID.Buzz | 16 Photos

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Inside, VW continues the new styling by using the same diamond pattern seen on the front grille, and a two-toned interior featuring animal-free upholstery and vegan leather. The infotainment system is similar to what’s available in the Chrysler Pacifica, which currently only exists as a plug-in hybrid. Not only has VW made what looks to be a great reinterpretation of a classic, the ID.Buzz is a pioneering electric van. Oh, and if you just want to haul stuff around, VW is planning to make a cargo version of the ID.Buzz too.