VM Test Drive VW ID. Buzz XL GTX: Pizza with Everything!
It has been awaited for a long time: the long XL Buzz, which is likely to bring as much joy to the executives at VW Commercial Vehicles in Hannover as it will to eager customers. Finally, space for three rows of seats and a large battery for reassuring ranges!
And with the long version, the GTX variant also arrives with more power, a larger battery pack, and a respectable top speed. Even though the mood at Volkswagen could currently be significantly better, hardly any vehicle cheers up the Wolfsburg and Hannover brand duo as much as the VW ID Buzz. Despite all the criticism of electric vehicles, this EV is already an international cult, even if not everyone can afford it, but more on that later.
Reasonably space-efficient: The "big Buzz" remains under five meters
First of all, the appearance is right, as the extension from 4.71 to 4.96 meters not only brings noticeably more space inside but also clearly benefits the proportions of the Buzz flank. Instead of five seats, new E-bus drivers can now look forward to six or seven seats behind the sliding doors, which have been widened by 19 centimeters. That's typical VW again: they could have kept the "small" doors of the shorter version, but then the access or loading would have been worse. So they also invested in new pressing parts here - even though it is expensively sensitive!
Seven seats are rarely needed
Still - in only a few cases will the ID Buzz XL be occupied on every single seat, and so for many families the configuration with four individual seats, plenty of legroom, and cargo space will be particularly exciting. Those who have taken a seat in the spacious rear accessed via the electrically opening sliding doors will enjoy the comfortable individual seats, which are adjustable in multiple ways and heated. There are USB ports, separate climate control, plenty of light through the panoramic roof, and practical electric sliding windows. With five people, the cargo space is up to 1,340 liters, and even with seven people, a decent luggage space of 306 liters is available. If all seats are laid flat, up to 2,469 liters can be used in the XL Buzz. Here, more variability would have been better…
There's finally ample space inside
The increase in wheelbase to a length of 3.24 meters is not only pleasantly noticeable due to the two foldable seats in the third row but also in the second row there is more space and better living quality for the occupants. Access to the third row is achieved either by folding the rear seats or by a climbing action between the individual chairs. Up front, everything is as usual – operation runs smoothly, visibility is good, though the viewing angle of the driver and passenger towards the central 12.9-inch touchscreen could be better. Even in the noble GTX version, however, the occupants in the front and rear must sit on artificial leather with Alcantara inserts, as only the steering wheel is currently covered with real leather.
Artificial leather is not very dignified
In an electric van costing over 70,000 euros, artificial leather covers are per se not a very dignified equipment, at least optionally they could think about wool fabrics or real leather here. Which brings us to the prices – and here the ID Buzz follows the old Buzz doctrine: visually making it practical and useful – which it is – but in terms of price and maintenance, it is actually a luxury class... if you top up the high-end Buzz as a "pizza with everything," it quickly heads towards six figures. A lot for an "electric van." We assume that the base might stay just under 70,000 euros to fit into some company car budgets...
By the way: As great as the 1.5 square meter panoramic roof is, it can be easily shaded against excessive sunlight at the push of a button electromagnetically. But a useful roller blind that ensures coziness inside during rain or winter is not on the equipment list.
2.7 tons empty: Previously the allowable total weight for a Buzz!
We set off and it becomes clear after just a few meters: with its 2.7 tons, the VW ID Buzz XL is no lightweight, and the all-wheel drive is not only a topic because of the higher towing capacity of 1.6/1.8 tons. Therefore, the ID Buzz XL GTX with a powerful 250 kW / 340 PS 4x4 version is a significantly better choice than the rear-wheel drive with 210 kW / 286 PS, even if that costs half a meter of turning circle. The suspension rides quite firmly with the large 20-inch wheels and the steering is light and precise.
The GTX sets off swiftly and thanks to 560 Nm of torque, it has more than enough power, but on the German autobahn, it quickly becomes a sluggish number, as it is electronically limited at 160 km/h. This is not about maintaining a high speed, which would cause power consumption to explode, but rather about safety reserves when overtaking – but that's purely a German autobahn issue.
Battery pack with 86 kWh net for relaxed ranges - 200 kW DC
While the other versions of the ID Buzz have to make do with smaller battery packs, the two variants with 210 kW / 286 HP and 250 kW / 340 HP are equipped with the new CATL battery pack and a capacity of 91 kWh (86 kWh net), with which in reality, scarcely more than 400 kilometers to the next charging stop should be feasible. The WLTP consumption is already 21 kWh/100 km – this can easily tend toward 30 kWh/100 km in winter at a brisk pace. There is good news at the plug, as the charging power has significantly increased to at least 200 kW.
What does this mean?
The VW ID Buzz is likely to find many fans in the XL variant and emerges as a powerful GTX version, becoming a genuine mood enhancer that also handles long distances quickly and comfortably.
The ID. Buzz XL GTX was driven for us by: Stefan Grundhoff; press-inform
Technical Data: VW ID Buzz XL GTX
Motor: Permanently excited electric motors front and rear
Power: 250 kW (340 HP)
Max. Torque: 560 Nm
Top speed: 160 km/h
Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h: 6.5 seconds
Standard consumption: approx. 21 kWh / 100 km
Battery pack: 91 kWh (86 kWh net)
Max. Charging power: 200 kW
Empty weight: approx. 2,700 kg
Loading space: 306 – 2,469 liters
Price: from approx. 70,000 Euros gross
Translated automatically from German.
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