Priced at $294,900 in Singapore, the ID.Buzz positions itself uniquely against more costly premium MPVs like the Toyota Alphard, offering an appealing blend of electric innovation and traffic-stopping design.

Right off the bat, rolling around Singapore on those slick 20-inch wheels, the ID.Buzz commands plenty of street presence. Its retro-futuristic two-tone design cleverly channels the spirit of the beloved Kombi, effortlessly blending nostalgia with a modern twist. It’s a crowd-pleaser, drawing smiles, waves, and genuine curiosity wherever it goes—proof that this is a rolling source of good vibes.

Behind the wheel, the ID.Buzz surprised me with just how manageable it feels despite its substantial size. This long-wheelbase, seven-seater MPV handles Singapore’s tight streets with impressive confidence. Steering is satisfyingly precise and nicely weighted, contributing to a relaxed yet engaging drive.

However, the braking system does require some early planning—the brakes bite quite late, needing a firm, confident input to slow down smoothly. Punch the playfully named “Play” pedal, and you’re rewarded with instant, linear torque from the 282bhp electric motor. The sizeable 86 kWh battery offers ample range, ensuring practicality for daily commutes and longer weekend adventures without constant charging anxiety.

With a stout 560Nm on tap, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds feels quicker than it sounds. It delivers that addictive electric surge you never quite tire of.

On the move, the ID.Buzz offers the kind of smooth, serene ride that defines electric driving. The suspension irons out most imperfections effortlessly, and the commanding driving position provides a reassuring view of the road ahead.

Compared to its competitors, the ID.Buzz feels fresh and forward-looking, particularly when considering its refinement and seamless electric performance to a segment traditionally dominated by petrol or hybrid powertrains. It’s also notably more affordable and enjoyable to drive than options like the Denza D9. However, its considerable height of 2.0 metres poses some challenges when navigating Singapore’s multi-storey HDB car parks.

Thanks to its compact front end, parking this sizeable machine in Singapore’s typically snug spaces is surprisingly stress-free. That said, the large front doors do require a bit more awareness in crowded car parks—something to bear in mind in tighter spots.

Step inside, and a genuinely inviting cabin greets you. The interior space feels vast, comfortably seating seven adults without feeling cramped. Throw in that expansive panoramic sunroof, and the interior feels airy and bright—perfect for cruising around town or on family road trips.

Practical touches abound, from clever storage compartments to foldable tray tables and flexible seating arrangements. And yes, those sliding doors offer a multitude of opening options, from traditional handles to dashboard buttons or the key fob, showcasing VW’s thoughtful attention to detail.

Volkswagen’s playful side shines through with neat Easter eggs hidden throughout the cabin, such as the charming ID.Buzz icon subtly embossed into the middle-row seats, a whimsical nod to VW’s tradition of injecting personality into its cars.

All said and done, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz strikes an appealing balance, blending practicality, charm, and electric performance into a standout package. It’s a modern-day MPV with a dash of nostalgia that will keep you looking forward to every drive.

The ID.5 is essentially the same as the ID.4 under the skin, but with a more elegant, sloping coupe-like roofline. You’ll find similar stylistic upgrades in the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback and the Skoda Enyaq Coupe.

People do like this bodystyle, and it shows in sales numbers. Everyone wants their car to have some curb appeal after all.

But, considering it’s up against models like the BMW iX1, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Tesla Model Y, the ID.5 has its work cut out for it in the ever-competitive EV segment.

So how does it drive?

The Volkswagen ID.5 is relatively smooth for the most part, with quick but gentle acceleration that gives you more than enough grunt to overtake other motorists. 

282bhp and 545Nm of torque are at your disposal, keeping the century sprint time to 6.7 seconds. The best part is the car provides power with a calm, collected surge of energy.; no jerks or sudden lurches that may catch you or your passengers off guard.

If you’re craving that kind of power, the ID.5 GTX is on offer as well. Same interior, and roughly the same looks, but with more bite for your right foot.

When it comes to handling, the ID.5 holds its own. Sure, there’s a bit of understeer at low speeds, but with power going to the rear wheels, the car remains neutral and steady through corners. Steering feedback is minimal (as with most EVs) but the traction control does its job subtly, keeping the drive composed without being a killjoy.

At low speeds, the ride can be a bit on the stiff side; it feels like the suspension was tuned with a full load in mind. But once you get up to speed, the ID.5 really comes into its own.

It glides along smoothly, with barely any wind or tyre noise disturbing the peace.

Any bad points?

Whilst acceleration and handling is great, the brake feel does feel a little lacklustre, especially when combined with the car’s mild energy regeneration.

Even in ‘B’ mode, the regen isn’t strong enough to provide some variant of one-pedal driving.

Is the Volkswagen ID.5 efficient?

The ID.5 is impressively efficient, sipping power at an average of 17.0kWh/100km during my drive, which translates to a real-world range of over 420km on a single charge.

Built on Volkswagen’s new MEB platform, all ID.4 and ID.5 models come with an 82kWh battery in Singapore. In layman’s terms, that’s more than enough for a week of daily commuting without needing to hunt for a charger.

But how does this differ from the ID.4?

The ID.4 and ID.5 virtually drive the same way, but from a design perspective, the ID.5 goes for a sleeker, coupe-like look as opposed to the traditional SUV proportions of the ID.4.

Personally, I do like the more aggressive stance with the tapered roof; gives the car a bit more character.

And here’s a fun fact: while the ID.4 already boasts a respectable 543-litre boot, the ID.5 one-ups it with 549 litres, thanks to the rear bench being pushed slightly forward. This change hopefully prevents taller passengers from bumping their heads on the roof.

About the inside…

Stepping inside the Volkswagen ID.5 is like entering an Apple store – clean, minimalist, and a distinct lack of physical buttons. Everything’s controlled via a large screen and capacitive touch inputs.

The 12.8-inch infotainment system works well, but the touch-sensitive sliders and haptic buttons on the steering wheel can be finicky in operation. 

And while you do get a start/stop button, if you’re the kind who likes to leave the car running while running errands, the ID.5 shuts off every time you lift yourself off the seat. No override for this annoyance either.

The minimalist interior is tastefully done, with a mix of cloth, leather, and ambient lighting that gives it a premium feel. There’s plenty of room for everyone, even for three adults in the back, thanks to the flat floor.

Storage cubbies are well sorted, and you’ll find pockets for your phone, your keys, and whatever else you need to stash away, along with plenty of USB ports to keep everyone’s devices charged.

Sleek and stylish

The ID.5 is a well-rounded package, but it’s not without its quirks. It ticks a lot of boxes – spacious, clever storage solutions, decent electric range, plus a smooth, comfortable drive. It’s what most families look for in an EV, and you definitely do not need the extra power from the GTX.

Maybe it isn’t as eye-catching as some of its rivals, but when it comes to the overall package, the ID.5 stands tall.

Technical Specifications

Volkswagen ID.5 Electric

Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 210kW (282bhp)
Torque: 545Nm
Gearbox: Single Speed (A)
Acceleration: 6.7 Seconds (0-100km/h)
Battery Capacity: 82 kWh
Drive Range: 550 km
Energy Consumption: 4.7 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$229,900 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Volkswagen Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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There’s not much that needs to be said about the Volkswagen Golf. Now in its eighth iteration, it has been proven time and time again to be one of the best-selling hatchbacks in the world. 

The 8th-gen arrived in Singapore back in mid-2021, but astronomical COE prices have meant it didn’t sell as well as its predecessors. Thus, brands like Volkswagen have started to adapt by importing variants that are able to fly under the Cat A banner.

It took a while to get here, but the Volkswagen Golf Life has finally joined the party, and boy is it a riot.

Right, let’s get down to business

The Volkswagen Golf which debuted previously has 150bhp from its punchy 1.5-litre turbo engine. Coupled with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance, it was essentially the perfect runabout hatchback, but the ever-expensive category B COE segment cut its life short. 

So what did Volkswagen do? Well, they’ve improved on the engine, now called the 1.5-litre eTSI. Same car, same engine, but now detuned to 130bhp. Coincidentally, category A cars can only have a maximum output of 130bhp. Sneaky fellas. 

Peak torque now stands at 200Nm, a 50Nm deficit from the Cat B sibling. This drop in power translates to a slower century print timing, now taking 9.4 seconds to get up to speed. But, do these power changes affect the overall driving experience?

Absolutely not.

When I say that, you do need to adapt your driving style to fit. Gone are the days of powering your way through, instead you’ll need to employ a more momentum-based driving style.

Time your overtakes, maintain your speed in the corners when possible, and you’ll find that the Golf is still as sharp as ever.

The new engine is also a gem, with mild hybrid assistance allowing the car to coast along with the engine deactivated when it has enough charge. You save lots of fuel this way, and short expressway bursts can easily yield economy figures in the 20s.

Over my few days’ test with the Golf, I’ve managed to achieve an average of 15.5km/litre, and that’s with some enthusiastic pedal pressing and jammed traffic thrown into the mix. 

With steep petrol prices an ever-present issue, the fuel economy of the Golf is a big advantage. If you’re frugal, you can even achieve about 800km on a single tank.

Should you wish to explore some bends at hush-hush speeds, the Golf can deliver in spades too. The main structural difference between the Cat A variant is its torsion beam rear suspension setup.

On paper, it does seem like a downgrade from the fully independent rear suspension of the Cat B Golf R-Line. But, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it makes the car more predictable while coming around a bend. The car feels settled even at speed, and any bouts of understeer can be mitigated as easily as letting your foot off the throttle.

I recently took said Golf on a road trip to Desaru, and it handled some twisty B-roads as easily as Sunday morning. 

Looks you know and love

Despite its power deficit, the Volkswagen Golf Life looks virtually identical to other variants in the lineup, save for the aero bits on the Golf GTI. You still get all of that Golf goodness wrapped up in a nice little package.

Spring for the Life Plus trim instead and you get upgraded LED lights all round, plus 18-inch alloy rims. 

With the same ol’ cabin

Even in this ‘base’ model Cat A Golf, you still get a fully loaded digital cockpit experience. The 8.25-inch central infotainment screen is simple and easy to use, with ambient light customisation enabling you to doll up the cabin space.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is achieved simply by plugging in your smartphone, and you also get a wireless charging pad to juice up.

Quick menu settings and controls are dealt with a mix of touch panel operations and rotary knobs.

While I don’t prefer the haptic cluster of buttons located underneath the centre screen, the rest of the tactile buttons are a good mix and really amp up daily functionality in the Golf.

To keep the centre console flushed and neat, the gear selector lever is just a tiny toggle switch, vaguely resembling a nugget. How this size is achieved is thanks to new-fangled electronic gear selection, rather than using traditional mechanical linkages. For those who wish to row their own gears and have some fun in the corners, paddle shifters are located on the steering wheel.

It’s tried and tested, and it’s a great interior. What more could you ask for?

Safe lil’ space

It even has ample space to boot. The hatchback-esque proportions give way to ample headroom for rear occupants, and 3 adults can get cosy in the back without much debate.

Cargo space is decent for a hatchback as well, spanning 380 litres. Drop the rear seats, and this figure swells to 1237 litres. It was more than sufficient for my trip to Desaru and back with the Volkswagen crew, check it out here.

You choose it because you want to

The Volkswagen Golf Life is simply a fantastic all-in-one bit of kit. Fun to drive, practical for its size, and saves you petrol. 

This is all well and good, but the main caveat of the Golf is that Volkswagen is priced as a value-for-money, yet ‘premium brand’ in Singapore. This puts it in a price bracket with fierce competition. 

If you are looking eastbound, cars like the Kia Niro Hybrid and Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid come to mind. If you’re looking at ‘continental’ brands, you’ll find lots of friendly fire. There’s the new 1.0-litre Skoda Octavia and 1.0-litre Audi A3, both are found within the VAG group of friend companies. Given all of these attractive options, is it still wise to pick the Golf?

Well, it’s the most affordable Golf you can buy in Singapore today, and it hasn’t lost any of its world-renowned fun. There’s a simple kind of magic with the Golf, beckoning you to take your next drive as soon as possible, and making you turn back to look at it once you’ve parked. 

If driving essence is one of your primary criteria in deciding on a car, and you want something that puts a smile on your face each time you’re behind the wheel, the Volkswagen Golf is definitely something that should be on your radar.

Technical Specifications

2023 Volkswagen Golf Life 

Engine: 1,498cc in-line 4 turbocharged, mild hybrid

Power: 130bhp

Torque: 200Nm

Gearbox: 7-speed DSG

0-100km/h: 9.4 seconds (claimed)

Top Speed: 213km/h

Fuel Economy: 20.8km/L (claimed)

Price: S$173,900 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)

Contact: Volkswagen Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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