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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Times
The VW Buzz is a superhero, here to save us from villainous SUVs
Volkswagen Year : 2025 Fuel : Electric Verdict : Funky styling on the outside, unmatched space on the inside, and a decent range makes the Buzz the best electric seven-seater by far. I've had a bowdlerised version of the original 1966 Batman theme song rattling through my head all week. However, instead of the exultant 'Batman!' at the end of the 'Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na' prefix, I've been calling out 'BatBuzz!' instead. Childish but I can't help myself. The all-over 'Deep Black Pearlescent' paintwork of this long-wheelbase, seven-seat Volkswagen ID. Buzz test car, a model more normally seen and photographed in bright, often two-tone pastels, just makes it look very Bruce Wayne spec. The effect is to make the big VW MPV appear a bit sterner and more serious-minded. VW seven-seater It also helps to, somewhat, disguise the extra size of this long-wheelbase model. Ever since the first generation of arrived in 2022, its five-seat-only layout has been a slight disappointment. Surely if Dacia can squeeze seven seats into a compact Jogger , then VW could do the same with the tall and roomy Buzz? Well, yes it can, it just wanted to add a bit of extra length first. In fact, VW has added an extra 250mm overall to the length of the Buzz to create this long-wheelbase version, all of which is inserted into the wheelbase, stretching the gap between the wheel centres front-to-rear to 3.2m. The Buzz has managed to stay, just, within five metres of overall length, which means it just about fits into a standard parking bay. It's also about the same overall length as VW's lower-slung ID.7 Tourer estate, so while the Buzz looks huge, that's more to do with its height than its length. READ MORE VW seven-seater Then again, that height and length really pay off. You see, most seven-seat cars on the market these days are SUVs, which are wasteful. I don't just mean of fuel and emissions (although, heaven knows, those too) but of space. SUVs are big, tall and long and yet they sacrifice much of that cubic space to long bonnets and lofty ride heights, which means their interiors are often much less spacious and practical than they at first appear. The Buzz, by contrast, is a true, proper MPV, sharing its cavernous body with a commercial van, and therefore turning over almost all of that height, and virtually all of that length, to passenger space. VW seven-seater VW seven-seater VW seven-seater Sit up front in the Buzz, and aside from the – broadly impressive, although more proper buttons would be welcome – 12.9-inch touchscreen, little enough has changed. You have the same comfy, lofty seating position (you can eyeball Land Rover Defender drivers), the same Vista-Vision widescreen view out the front, which just makes you realise how hard it is to see out of so many other big cars. Hop in the back, though – through the never-not-fun electric sliding side doors – and there is a big change. Legroom was never an issue in the five-seat Buzz, but here in the seven-seater, there's simply masses of space. Even in fairly roomy cars, I can usually at least brush my knees off the back of the front seat, but not here. I can almost stretch my legs out straight, when the adjustable rear bench has been slid to its furthest-aft position. Better still, the entirely flat floor and the broad middle seat means that there's actually room, and comfort, for three full-grown adults here. Usually, pushing a set of adjustable middle-row seats all the way back means that anyone in the third row has to have a knee-ectomy, or at least cram their legs up into their armpits. Not so in the Buzz – row three is not only easy to access (the big sliding side doors and the tilt-and-slide middle row make getting in and out much easier than in rival SUV models) but there's still ample legroom and headroom in there, even if you're built like me. I'm officially classified as 'husky'. VW seven-seater Behind, with all seven seats in use, there's a mere 306 litres of boot space left over, but flip row three down flat, and you have an enormous 1,300 litres to play with. For high-spec models such as this Style version, there's also a raised section of boot floor to give you a flat-load space across the backs of those seats. The raised section has a lid, allowing you to easily stash charging cables and so on underneath, and you can remove it to get a lower boot floor, but that involves screwdrivers and spanners, so it's probably best left alone. Two issues will give you loadspace pause, though. One: there's nowhere to store the retracting luggage cover if the back seats are in use or if you want to load up to the roof. Two: the top-hinged tailgate is so big that you need to leave considerable room behind you when parking so as to be able to open it. Side-hinged barn doors would be better. A longer Buzz means a bigger battery, so this version gets an 86kWh unit, compared with the 77kWh of the standard five-seat Buzz. That makes for an improved range, rising from about 420km for the five-seat version to up to circa 470km here. In the real world, the difference is quite significant. In previous test drives of the five-seat Buzz, range generally works out to a realistic 350km or so. Here in the seven-seater, range is more like 430km in real-world conditions, which is much more useful, and we easily matched VW's claimed 21kWh/100km energy consumption figure. Put it this way: in one day I drove from Dublin to Wexford and then on to Belfast, using mostly motorways, with only one quick 25-minute stop for a recharge, arriving home with 35 per cent remaining charge in the battery. That's more than decent, and with charging now possible at up to 200kW from a high-powered DC charger, that turns the Buzz into a viable long-haul machine. Which is its perfect role. The suspension, generally good at ironing out the worst tarmac, does tend to occasionally heave and jerk on rough urban streets as it attempts to keep the Buzz's 2.6-tonne weight under control. On bigger roads it's much better, although motorways are not the Buzz's natural environment. Much better to take windier main roads, stick to about 80-100km/h and enjoy both the surprisingly direct steering, and that glorious view of the countryside. It's an expensive thing, the seven-seat Buzz – our test car clocked in at €75,350, but that does need contextualising. First off, that's in line with all-electric seven-seat rivals such as the Kia EV9, yet the Buzz has more space. It has as much usable space as, say, a Mercedes EQV, but is – wait for it – €50,000 cheaper, and has better range on one charge. Batman might be good at rescuing the citizens of Gotham City, but the seven-seat Buzz is here to save us from SUVs. Lowdown: Volkswagen Style Seven Seat Power 210kW e-motor developing 286hp and 550Nm of torque, powering the rear wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission. CO2 emissions (annual motor tax) 0g/km (€120). Electric consumption 19.5-21.0 kWh/100km (WLTP). Electric range 453-487km (WLTP) 0-100km/h 7.9 sec. Price €75,350 as tested, starts from €67,785.
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Ten best 7-seater cars perfect for families planning summer road-trips – from affordable Kia EV to iconic Land Rover
WITH summer quickly approaching, motoring experts have revealed their picks for the best seven-seater cars. Whether you're looking for the perfect family-sized SUV or something to fit all your friends for a summer road trip, the list compiled by Autocar includes something for everyone. Seven-seater cars have undergone a transformation over the last decade, largely moving away from MPV styles to more modern SUVs. Their newer, sleeker design remains just as practical, with multiple rows of seats and plenty of luggage space. Some modern seven-seaters also run on electric, making sure that your summer road trip is not only fun, but eco-friendly, too. Dacia Jogger The Dacia Jogger made the top of the list for the best seven-seater. Not only is it the cheapest car on the list, but it also offers a great design that is easy to drive and fits the whole family. While the third row might be better suited for children on longer journeys, the car can comfortably carry seven people, and has up to 2094 litres of carrying capacity with the rear seats lowered or removed. Extra storage compartments are located throughout the cabin, making the most of a relatively-compact, affordable car. Kia EV9 10 For those after an electric vehicle, the Kia EV9 might be your best option. A similar size to the Range Rover Sport, the car still manages to reach impressively high speeds and has a 313 mile range. The cabin can be arranged to accommodate several combinations, with a six- or seven- seat layout, and rear seats that stow and deploy electronically for ease. Inside world's biggest car factory 3 times size of Monaco that is run by 5k robots & pumps out nearly one MILLION motors Volvo XC90 Having been on the market for almost a decade, it's no surprise that Volvo's seven-seater model is leading the way for these larger vehicles. This new hybrid model is a great car for everyday use, with low running costs and a well-equipped interior. It emphasises comfort and refinement meaning there is plenty of space for seven adults to travel in style. Hyundai Santa Fe Its 2024 redesign has ensured the Hyundai Santa Fe's position as one of the best seven-seater vehicles on the market. Despite only offering 33 miles of electric-only range on its hybrid model, the car's practicality and extensive space more than makes up for it. Its hybrid model has 992 litres of space with its rear seats folded down, and can comfortably carry up to six passengers. Volkswagen Multivan Using a more traditional MPV design, the Volkswagen Multivan provides unrivalled space and versatility. Its interior can be easily customised, making it a great option for a wide range of uses, whether you need the space for seven adults, or want to make use of the extensive boot space. Land Rover Defender 130 Land Rover is known for their spacious vehicles, and the new Defender 130 is no exception. With space for up to eight passengers in a 2/3/3 formation, the car even has a 400-litre boot, although its size does make for tight parking. Its luxury feel is accompanied by a high price point, with its cheapest models costing at least £70,000. Land Rover Discovery With two cars making the list, Land Rover is an obvious choice for those looking to supersize their motor. The Discovery offers a slightly more accessible alternative to the Defender, with seven seats that comfortably fit adults, and a boot that still holds 258 litres even when all seats are in use. Skoda Kodiaq Despite only launching their first seven-seater SUV in 2016, Skoda has cemented its place as one of the top brands for affordability and practicality. The second-generation Kodiaq features a big cabin and a generous boot, all with a reasonably affordable price tag. It is available in a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol with mild-hybrid assist, and a 2.0-litre diesel ensuring it is pleasant to drive. Volkswagen Tayron 10 The Tayron is a great all-round option for motorists, with a nice interior and a wide variety of powertrain options available. The car is available in a petrol, diesel, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid model. However, its third row might be a tight squeeze for older teens and adults. Mercedes-Benz GLB Despite its compact design, the Mercedes-Benz GLB still has adequate space for seven passengers. It offers a smooth driving experience across a range of models, with its 4Matic model working well as an off-road alternative. However, prices do start at £55,000 with just 257 mile range making it one of the pricier options on the list.
