by Baron Wilton
posted on January 28, 2025
The bus gets buzzed on electricity
While a flashy sports car or a hot hatch can easily catch the attention of the discerning enthusiast, the Volkswagen Microbus is a car that can be recognized by anyone. The iconic van symbolized youthful independence and unending adventure throughout the 1960s and 70s, and today it’s still a beacon for exploration and overnight road trips. The bus is now back, this time as a sleek, electric van, and it’s now available on Turo!
Volkswagen made its mark on automotive history with the iconic Beetle and Microbus models that maintained cultural adoration throughout the twentieth century. The Beetle was ultimately revived in 1990 with the “New Beetle,” to capture the nostalgia and untapped cultural capital for the original model. The Microbus similarly has been renewed nearly 25 years after the initial concepts were developed, and it is now a seriously fun-to-drive electric bus. Talia’s ID. Buzz First Edition is one of the first examples on Turo.
The all-electric ID. Buzz shares its architecture with the ID.4 SUV and comes in two variants: a single-motor with 282 horsepower and Talia’s dual-motor with all-wheel-drive and 335 horsepower. This top trim can reach 60 mph in under six seconds and has an impressive 413 lb-ft of torque for gripping curvy roads. But the most staggering stat is that it weighs 6,174 lbs — over 3,500 lbs more than the Microbus and nearly 1,300 lbs more than other family vans like a fully-equipped Chrysler Pacifica. The van’s tremendous weight keeps it securely grounded on the road, and the battery, tucked beneath the flat floor, ensures a smooth and cushioned drive.
While it is exciting to see the new bus is a viable family-hauler compared to other minivans on today’s roads, the ID. Buzz outshines competition as a reconstructed, irreplaceable cult classic. Its design resembles a metallic spaceship that stands substantially taller, wider, and longer than the original van to accommodate modern safety necessities. Talia’s First Edition model has a two-tone Pomelo Yellow and Candy White metallic that features an illuminated VW logo, First Edition badge strips, and exclusive twenty inch rims. The van’s rear doors slide like a typical minivan, and its rear windows uniquely slide in the same horizontal direction.
But what makes the ID. Buzz truly special is its overwhelmingly spacious and sumptuous interior. Two and four-legged passengers have oodles of legroom and areas to stretch out. The center console is cavernous and the dashboard is long and flat to provide ample space for laying down maps or an in-vehicle picnic. Talia’s luxurious van also has massage seats, a panoramic fixed-glass roof with smart sun dimming, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system to create the perfect soundtrack for stargazing or sunbathing.
Volkswagen engineers also added cute easter eggs throughout the cabin, including an etching of the van on the side of the seats. The infotainment system is borrowed from the rest of the brand’s electric ID lineup and includes wireless smartphone connectivity, a digital dashboard, and a mainly touchscreen-dependent setup. When at low speeds, the ID. Buzz is whisper quiet, but being loveably boxy, its unfavorable aerodynamics can create wind noise at higher speeds like any other large-faced vehicle. And once you’re on the highway, semi-autonomous driving technology like adaptive cruise control and lane centering assistance evolves the van into the modern era.
The ID. Buzz is a halo model for Volkswagen — intended as an extraordinary, sensorial experience rather than a popular minivan for mass adoption. The updated wanderlust icon maintains the retro charm of the original Microbus with the flare of a futuristic commuter. Its capacitive and feature-laden cabin make this electric van a comfortable ride for all passengers. If you’re eager to get behind the wheel of this reimagined classic, Talia’s First Edition golden bus is available for a scenic drive in Northern California’s Marin County.
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Baron Wilton
Baron is a walking encyclopedia of car facts. His favorite sport is behind the wheel of his Jaguar F-Type, which he drives more in the canyons of SoCal than on the streets.
