How much is nostalgia worth? Take one look at the Volkswagen ID Buzz aka the Kombi Van, oh about $87k - $111k (AUD).
Its an EV – Electric Vehicle, like almost every other newly released vehicle on the market. Its range: 432kms and price are average compared with its rivals:
EV’s;
- Kia EV9 – range; 443-512 kms, Price: $97,000-$121,000
- Zeeker 009 - Range:686 kms, Price: $135,900-$139,900
- Mercedes-Benz EQV - Range; 418 kms, Price; $161,723
- And even the ill fated Canoo range; 400 kms Price: $43,500-$49,950 (2022 data) – the manufacturer filed or Bankruptcy in January 2025. It has ceased operations and sales.
Its ICE – internal combustion engine rivals;
- Hyundai Staria - Range: 500-900 kms (3.5L V6 Petrol engine), Price: $46740-$67,500
- Honda Odyssey - Range: 500-900 kms (3.5L V6 Petrol engine) ,Price: $46,257-$53,209.
The ID Buzz’s longevity is yet to be tested.
It has some practical uses, you can move the middle and rear seats, for a mid-route picnic or séance. It has tech; driver, lane and park assist. Yawn.
But gosh its pretty. Is it wrong to like an object for its looks? Refreshingly it doesn’t look like every other bland E-SUV on the road. It has just a touch of the Torago about it. Its curvy. And has somewhat maintained its iconic original shape. Though perhaps a more rounded rear is called for, hey don’t we all want that? And some rounded headlights like the original would have been preferable. There are a bold choice of colours: my favourite being the frosted grass green. When it comes to new vehicles, there really isn’t anything like it.
It has the perfect combination of a modern under the hood and interior. With a vintage inspired exterior. Nostalgia is enjoying the best of both worlds, past and future with a foot in each.
Its name, ID Buzz seems to have been drawn from some sort of cursed hat. What not call it a Kombi since that’s what it is?
If you string a ladder across the top and throw some conduit in the back, you might get away with parking it in loading zones. Which harks back to the Kombi’s original intended use as a delivery van. More Toyota Hi-ace than Torago.
My grandfather had a green VW Kombi van, which he used for his stove business. Kombi green is a dull, flat sort of green. Think old Melbourne tram green with a dash of mustard. Its not racing car green and it doesn’t want to be. Its taking the scenic route, its in no hurry.
After a family holiday in Sydney, we’d drive back to Melbourne together. You could fit anything in the back: tools, plywood, children. My seat was in the back on a milk crate, with a rope seat belt.
My grandfather had a bewildering collection of opera on cassettes. It was quite a contrast to be getting airborne off road kill on the Hume Highway, with the swirling sounds of the Danube Waltz, while puttering past the Belanglo state park. This would often inspire a trip to the bakery for a meat pie…. with tomato sauce and a mini lemon meringue pie. Both of which are exterior colour choices for the ID Buzz.
The old Kombi would travel at a maximum of 10kms up even the smallest hill or at air temps over 20oC. Its singular spluttering noise, eye catching colour and shape were unmistakable. Apparently the new model tends to throw its occupants about, which is on brand.
While its not possible to go back down the road to those golden days. It is possible to drive on the path to new memories. Why not go there in a new Kombi.. I mean ID Buzz?
At a $100k minimum you’d need Boomer money to afford one. I can barely scrape $1.50 together. But given the cost of the ID Buzz, how much is nostalgia worth? Quite a bit, it turns out.
Date published 14/09/25
Writer: L Cannon