First Look: Volkswagen ID.Buzz in Malaysia by G-Mart Group – From RM570K*

EV fans, rejoice! Specialist used/recond car importer G-Mart Group has expanded its EV offerings by adding the new Volkswagen ID.Buzz to the fleet. This addition makes the group to be one of the earliest importers to offer VW’s first all-electric MPV in our local market.

We've been given the opportunity to check out perhaps one of the first-ever ID.Buzz to hit the Malaysian shores at the G-Mart Auto City Subang branch, located in Kampung Melayu Subang.

To start things off, it is important to note that this ID.Buzz might be one of the few, if not the only EV MPV to be sold in our local market – a rather refreshing revelation in this SUV/crossover-laden market. This also means that owning this MPV will surely make you stand out amongst the crowd, for better or for worse.

As for the vehicle itself, the sole unit on display at G-Mart’s outlet here is the baseline ID.Buzz Style spec, featuring a five-seat configuration rather than seven or eight, while powered by a single motor layout. Mounted on the rear axle, said motor is capable of delivering up to 201 HP (150 kW) and 310 NM to boot, propelling this sizable MPV from nought to 100 KM/H in 10.2 seconds, en route to its electronically-governed V-max of 145 KM/H.

Juicing this single motor layout is a 77-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that supplies the ID.Buzz with a maximum travel range of 415 KM. On the charging front, a DC fast charging at 175 kW rate will juice up the ID.Buzz from 5% to 80% in 30 minutes, while the slower AC 11 kW charging will reach the same state-of-charge in about 8 hours – an ideal figure for an overnight charging via home wallbox charger.

Dimension-wise, the ID.Buzz is a rather big MPV, measuring 4,712 MM long, 1,985 MM wide and 1,927 MM tall, while having a wheelbase of 2,989 MM. This puts the ID.Buzz on par with other big MPVs like the Toyota Alphard and Hyundai Staria. Styling-wise, on the other hand, this all-black ID.Buzz boasts the typical boxy panel van silhouette, with a slew of design cues derived from its ID siblings.

At the front, the ID.Buzz comes with ‘IQ.Light’ matrix LED headlights, featuring an elongated light bar that connects both main headlights, separated by a relatively large VW logo at its centre. From the side, this boxy MPV features a rather short front overhang due to the absence of engine.

Elsewhere, it rides on rather massive 20-inch alloy wheels, featuring a unique turbine-like design while finished in black and silver two-tone hue.

The ID.Buzz’s derriere also carries the same design language as its ID siblings, where it sports the rather similar-looking LED taillights design as the VW ID.4 EV SUV. Similar to the headlights, it also features a width-span LED light bar, while the big VW badge makes its return here, too.

On board this EV MPV, the ID.Buzz swaps its monotonous exterior cape for a pretty colourful one at the inside, dominated by the beige and orange colorways on parts like the front dash, door cards, as well as all the seats. As we mentioned earlier, this specific model brought by G-Mart is a five-seater variant, where the absence of the third row seat grants it a massive 1,121-litre cargo space.

This seat deletion also translates into a roomier second row seats space, not to forget the MPV’s borderline 2-metre height that gives ample headroom, even for six-footers.

As for the tech equipment, the front dash is crowned by a 10-inch infotainment display that is primed with mobile connectivity (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), built-in navigation system, voice command, as well as gesture control. And just like any other modern VW cars, the ID.Buzz cabin features a slew of haptic touch controls instead of physical buttons, which can be a learning curve for some.

In spite of all the modern amenities featured, this model lacks a few essential features for a modern MPV. Notably, the two sliding doors are manually-operated, instead of being powered. On the other hand, there are no dedicated climate vents for the rear passengers, which shouldn’t be a huge deal-breaker for some, especially after considering the MPV’s five-seat layout.

Elsewhere, the ID.Buzz is also primed with many storage compartments and cup holders including foldable tables for each rear passenger. Not to forget, it’s also brimmed with a slew of tech amenities like USB-C charging ports for each passenger, heated front seats, as well as an ambient lighting system with up to 30 colour options available.

As we mentioned earlier, this specific unit we’ve checked out might be one of, if not, the first ID.Buzz unit that’s on sale in Malaysia, with the firm planning to bring a few more in future’s time. As for the price, folks at G-Mart Group have put up a tentative price tag of RM570,000 for the VW ID.Buzz, so expect its final price to be around that ballpark figure. 

Think you can see yourself driving and living with this spacious EV MPV? Well, you better hurry up and head on over to G-Mart Autocity outlet in Kampung Melayu Subang to place your booking or have a better glance at the car.