Volkswagen finally gives us an iconic design that combines the practicality of a minivan with styling harking back to one of its biggest success stories. Is the ID. Buzz a worthy successor to the Microbus? Let’s find out.
And how about that color palette! Finally, VW is back with fun two-tone Candy White colors mixed with eye-popping combinations like Pomelo Yellow, Energic Orange and Cabana Blue. If your taste runs more mellow, no worries you’ll also find more mellow choices like Blue Charcoal.
VW’s old Microbus makes so much sense to bring back as an EV since just like the old rear-engine, air-cooled Buses, the ID. Buzz’s electric motors allow for a flat floor and extra utility.
For families, the Buzz is the grooviest option available in the U.S. minivan market right now.
- A shoutout goes to Tom Bush VW for providing the ID. Buzz featured in this review.
- Post your ID. Buzz questions or comments here.
Better yet, you’ll never need to sweat getting to the kid’s soccer game on time because you’ll never need to stop for gas, since you can start every day with a full charge by just unplugging, assuming you have a garage or driveway.
VW’s modern day Bus is much more practical than the old air-cooled classics, getting an EPA-estimated combined 80 MPGe, which is a formula the EPA uses to estimate distances you can on electricity as compared to gas.
Electric motors are way more efficient than those old air-cooled engines ever were.
All the electronics and safety features families have come to expect are available. In fact it’s got so many features packed in, I’m hard pressed to think of much of anything that’s not available.
The AWD version can tow up to 3,500 pounds with a manually-retractable hitch, which is completely hidden when not in use.
For you van lifers that have been dreaming of an EV solution, here it is. No surprise, but aftermarket companies are starting to customize the ID. Buzz, with at least one from Tonke Campers even adding a pop-up roof tent, just like some of the old Microbuses had.
Hopefully VW will take notice and offer a factory camper edition at some point as it has with past Micobuses.
The ID. Buzz has also been racking up awards, winning everything from MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award for best EV to the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year at the Detroit Auto Show.
VW’s EV minivan excels at its primary mission as a family hauler. It’s got tons of storage and can even haul 4x8s with the second and third row seats folded down. That’s something most pickups can’t even do without the boards sticking up above the tailgate.
When it comes to those family road trips to the beach, camping or whatever; the ID. Buzz has a range of 234 miles for the RWD configuration or 231 for the AWD models.
Although, I’m guessing if you’ve got all three rows filled with kids and their gear, you’ll probably want to grab a charge after about 150 miles.
When you do stop for a snack break and a charge, the ID.Buzz can suck down the electrons at a peak speed of 200 kW, allowing it go from a 10 to 80% charge in 26 minutes in ideal conditions.
At home it can add up to 11 kW per hour, so even if you get back with an almost empty battery you’ll still have a full charge by morning, assuming you install a 60-amp charger. If you’ve got questions about home charging, see this video.
For a minivan, the ID. Buzz handles great. Acceleration is probably stronger than in any minivan you’ve ever experienced. The AWD ID. Buzz can get from 0-60 mph in a VW-rated 5.5 seconds, which is faster than some of the V8s that boomers will remember from their youth.
For those long road trips the ID. Buzz comes with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping.
The ID. Buzz starts at $59,995. Our nicely optioned 1st Edition topped out at just over $68,000.
The Buzz’s closest U.S. competitor is the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid. Its base price starts at $52,750 but can also climb above $60,000.
The ID. Buzz is a wonderful option for families. It brings a splash of fun to a segment that had gotten a bit boring over the years. Watch the video at the top of this post for additional details and a road test.
2025 ID. Buzz Specifications
| Pro S | Pro S Plus w/ 4MOTION | |
| Range | 234 mi1 | 231 mi2 |
| Horsepower | 282 | 335 |
| Top Speed | 99 mph | 99 mph |
| Towing Capacity | 2,600 lbs2 | 3500 lbs2 |
| Seating Capacity | 7 | 6 |
| Cargo Capacity 3rd Row | 145.5 cu ft | 145.5 cu ft |
| Cargo Capacity 1st Row | 18.6 cu ft | 18.6 cu ft |
| Length | 195.4 in | 195.4 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 78.1 in | 78.1 in |
| Height | 76.2 in | 76.2 in |
12025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S, Pro S Plus or 1st Edition EPA-estimated total range is 234 miles. Actual mileage and range will vary and depend on several factors including driving and charging habits, accessory use, temperature and topography, battery age, load, and vehicle condition. Battery capacity decreases with time and use. See owner’s manual for details.
2Maximum tow rating when equipped with battery-and-motor system and factory-installed towing hitch. Vehicle load, other accessories, and options may reduce maximum towing capacity. See vehicle Owner’s Manual for details.
32025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus With 4MOTION or 1st Edition With 4MOTION EPA-estimated total range is 231 miles. Actual mileage and range will vary and depend on several factors including driving and charging habits, accessory use, temperature and topography, battery age, load, and vehicle condition. Battery capacity decreases with time and use. See owner’s manual for details.