VW ID. Buzz review: Nostalgia meets electric reality; Rivian R1S edges it for camping

A Daily Mail test of Volkswagen's all-electric ID. Buzz finds that while the van nods to the 1960s Microbus, it does not fully capture the original's counterculture spirit or practical camper appeal. The van began arriving at U.S. dealerships in early 2025 as VW moves toward an electric future. In the test sample, the ID. Buzz carried a price around $72,000, with the starting price around $60,000. The piece emphasizes that VW is pursuing a brand statement rather than a low-cost, mass-market camper.

The tester notes the Buzz's design: a two-tone blue-and-white exterior, a boxy silhouette reminiscent of a loaf of bread, and a large VW emblem. Inside, the van feels bright and airy, with a massive skylight, fold-flat rear seats that could support overnight trips, and clever cubbies. The interior uses light materials and ambient lighting, which give it a youthful, joyful vibe. The reviewer suggests owners could imagine weekend getaways, but warns that the practicality of the old camper remains different in modern packaging.

Driving and performance are where the Buzz’s romance meets reality. The ride is visually appealing but not exhilarating. The seats felt stiff and became uncomfortable after about an hour behind the wheel. The van’s efficiency measured around 2.5 kWh per mile, equating to roughly 231 miles of highway range on a full charge — a tough figure for a $70,000 EV. The steering felt dull in corners, and hard braking caused the heavy front end to lurch forward. The reviewer notes that VW had previously earned praise for the ID.4’s electric driving dynamics in August. On the plus side, charging was straightforward, with the battery gaining about 180 miles of range in 30 minutes on a fast charger. Practical annoyances included a rear step-in height of about 13 inches, which can be challenging for kids or older adults.

In terms of practicality, the Buzz is pitched as a heart-of-the-brand vehicle rather than a mass-market best-seller. It leans heavily on nostalgia, similar to VW’s revived Beetle, which lingered in showrooms for years. The result is a car that is charming and attention-grabbing, but not necessarily a daily-driver for most buyers. The piece compares the Buzz to the original camper’s affordability and simplicity, noting that the modern van’s price and complexity set it apart from the iconic 1960s model.

For campers seeking true versatility, the article points to Rivian’s R1S as the preferable option. The R1S is a $101,000 three-row SUV built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, with a software stack that coordinates everything from battery management to weather-aware routing. It can drive over 350 miles on a full charge and features an integrated “camp mode” that levels the cabin for a bed, a detachable Bluetooth speaker for outdoor use, and a trunk equipped with an air pump and a built-in flashlight for emergencies. Rivian’s software handles battery preconditioning before charging and provides intelligent trip planning, reducing the friction of long trips. Unlike the Buzz, the R1S does not rely on nostalgia to sell its capability; instead, it offers a cohesive, tech-forward camping experience that still works well as a daily driver. While the absence of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is noted, Rivian’s in-house system is said to function seamlessly.

If the Buzz is the nostalgic, cheetah-print winter jacket of the van world—eye-catching and distinctive but not universally practical—the R1S is a tailored parka: practical, rugged, and ready for outdoor adventures. The review positions the R1S as the more balanced choice for buyers who want on-road comfort with true camping capability while the Buzz serves as a showpiece that plays into Volkswagen’s heritage.