The retro-tastic Volkswagen ID. Buzz has been named overall ‘Car of the Year’ at the What Car? Car of the Year 2023 awards.
It’s a big win for the all-electric love bus and the ID. Buzz also scooped the trophy for ‘Large electric car’, too.
While the ID. Buzz is also available as a panel van - the ID. Buzz Cargo - the variant that has been hailed by What Car? is the MPV.
And the Buzz that’s created so much, ahem, buzz among the What Car? judges is the MPV in range-topping ‘Style’ trim.
Here you get goodies like 20 inch alloys and 30 colour interior ambient lighting, as well as a 77 kWh battery generating 204 PS of power and a range of up to 252 miles between charges.
When it comes to competitors, there’s simply very little to rival the ID. Buzz, coming as it does with that stunning design that hark back to the iconic VW Type 2 camper van of the 1950s.
What Car? editor Steve Huntingford, said: “The ID. Buzz has been eagerly anticipated because of its nostalgic styling, but all of our judges were blown away by the fact it didn’t just live up to expectations but, in fact, was even better than the hype.
“It’s great to drive, wonderful to be in, has more space than most families could ever ask for and – thanks in part to incredible predicted resale value – substantially undercuts many SUV rivals on a monthly finance deal.
“This is a car that wins over your head as well as your heart and one that will bring huge amounts of joy to lucky buyers at a time when the costs and challenges of motoring are under greater pressure than ever.”
Dr. Lars Krause, Board Member for Sales and Marketing of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, added: “The ID. Buzz is the reincarnation of an icon and we are thrilled that the experts at What Car? magazine share the enthusiasm of our fans and customers, and have given it the honour of their Car of the Year award.”
There were other big winners at the What Car? Car of the Year 2023.
The Range Rover Sport (below) was named ‘Best Luxury Car’ while the irrepressible MG4 EV won the ‘Best Small Electric Car’ gong.
The Tesla Model 3 beat the BMW 3 Series to win ‘Best Executive Car’.
Luxurious new Korean brand Genesis pipped premium rivals like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz to win ‘Best Electric SUV’ with its GV60.
Meanwhile the brilliant Hyundai i20N (below) was crowned ‘Best Hot Hatch’.
Read on to see the full list of winners.
OVERALL WINNER
- Car of the Year: Volkswagen ID Buzz Style
CATEGORY WINNERS
- Small car: Honda Jazz 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid SR
- Family car - sponsored by NOCO: Honda Civic 2.0 e:HEV Sport
- Hot hatch: Hyundai i20N
- Small SUV - sponsored by Solera cap hpi: Volkswagen T-Roc 1.0 TSI 110 Life
- Family SUV - sponsored by MotorEasy: Kia Sportage 1.6 Turbocharged Petrol 3
- Seven Seater - sponsored by Quotezone.co.uk: Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD Premium
- Executive car: Tesla Model 3 RWD
- Luxury car: Range Rover Sport P440e Dynamic SE
- Hybrid (plug-in) - sponsored by myenergi: Lexus NX 450h Premium Pack
- Small electric car - sponsored by myenergi: MG4 EV SE
- Large electric car - sponsored by myenergi: Volkswagen ID Buzz Style
- Estate: Skoda Superb Estate 1.5 TSI 150 SE L
- Coupé: BMW 4 Series 420i M Sport (M Sport Pro Package)
- Electric SUV - sponsored by myenergi: Genesis GV60 RWD Premium
- Convertible: BMW 4 Series Convertible 420i M Sport (M Sport Pro Package)
- Sports car: Porsche Cayman 4.0 GTS
- Sports SUV: Ford Puma ST 1.5 Ecoboost 200 Performance Pack
- Performance car: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo 4S
- SPECIAL AWARDS
- Reader Award: Kia EV9
- Tow Car Award: Audi Q5 40 TDI quattro Sport
- Reliability Award - sponsored by MotorEasy: Lexus
- Technology Award - sponsored by Goodwood: BMW i7
- Efficiency Award: Tesla Model 3 RWD
- Safety Award - sponsored by Thatcham Research: Tesla Model Y
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