Wednesday, 15 January 2025

If you think you’ve been hearing about the Volkswagen ID.Buzz for a while, you would be correct.

First unveiled as a concept vehicle at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, it is finally available for sale in the U.S. after a long journey and first debuting in Europe.

First things first, what exactly is the ID.Buzz?

Is it a microbus? A minivan?

Whatever you want to call it, this nostalgia-inspired offering harkens back to VW’s 1960s microbus heritage (the kind you might have taken to Woodstock). Brought into the present, it is a wholly unique entry in the U.S. automotive landscape. There are just a few large fully electric SUVs that can be considered competition (Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Rivian R1S), and some minivans that are offered in hybrid versions that could be cross-shopped, but none of the alternatives are in the exact class of the ID.Buzz — it’s truly its own category in many ways. 

Doubters will be tempted to write off the ID.Buzz as a trendy offering, but there is plenty of capability and versatility offered by the vehicle that should silence them. It’s got plenty of power, lots of cargo space and room for 7 passengers, and a versatile design to accommodate various needs.

I recently got some time behind the wheel of this long-awaited VW revival, driving a 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz Pro S Plus, and I’m back with a full report for all who may be interested in taking one home.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

As the move toward electrification continues, it takes a lot to stand out amid the constant stream of new vehicle announcements.

One way to distinguish yourself is to do things a little bigger, like Kia has done with its impressive 2024 Kia EV9 three-row SUV, which debuts as one of the few options for EV buyers seeking a larger vehicle to fit bigger families and more cargo.

A bit larger than Kia’s highly popular Telluride SUV, the EV9 offers stunning design inside and out, excellent range, and an overall package that make it a leader in an EV category with only a handful of options from brands like Rivian, Tesla and Mercedes-Benz.

Kia is making a bold commitment by entering this larger EV segment, while other brands are still hesitant to jump into the EV realm with larger offerings. (Note: Kia also has multiple other EVs of various sizes scheduled to come out in the next two years as well)

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of an 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line model, and I’m back with a full report on what is clearly the best EV I’ve tested so far in 2024.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

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