The Iconic Van’s Electric Return
After much anticipation, the Volkswagen van is making its way back to the U.S. market. However, this isn’t your grandfather’s Microbus; the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a three-row electric minivan, poised to enter the burgeoning electric vehicle market.
A First Impression
Recently, I had the chance to drive pre-production models of the ID. Buzz in San Francisco. The experience ranged from navigating the city’s hilly streets to cruising on freeways and coastal roads. While the new minivan has a lot to offer, a few factors, including price and range, gave me pause.
Introduced as a concept seven years ago, the electric van comes at a crucial time in America’s electric car revolution. As consumers consider the advantages of electric versus gasoline-powered vehicles, the ID. Buzz will try to make its mark.
Pros and Cons
While the all-new ID. Buzz offers a unique aesthetic and a spacious interior, concerns regarding its price and range might leave some prospective buyers a little disappointed.
Pros:
- Iconic design cues
- Ample cargo space
- All-wheel drive available
- Impressive passenger space in all three rows
Cons:
- High price point
- Unimpressive range
- Performance is not remarkable for an EV
- High load floor
Pricing and Trims
At launch, the ID. Buzz will be offered in three trim levels, with the base Pro S model featuring a single electric motor and rear-wheel drive. The Pro S Plus and 1st Edition trims will be available with either rear- or all-wheel drive.
- Pro S (RWD): $59,995
- Pro S Plus (RWD): $63,495
- Pro S Plus 4Motion (AWD): $67,995
- 1st Edition (RWD): $65,495
- 1st Edition 4Motion (AWD): $69,995
All prices are subject to an additional $1,550 destination charge. Two-tone paint is standard on top trims and a $995 option on the Pro S Plus. The 2025 ID. Buzz may qualify for state, local, and utility incentives, but does not qualify for the Federal Electric Vehicle Tax Credit.
A Nod to History
The original VW Microbus, a symbol of the counterculture, was a fixture on American roads. The new ID. Buzz, while different in many respects, still draws inspiration from its predecessor.
Design and Appearance
Volkswagen has successfully integrated the design of the early Microbus into a modern vehicle. The 2025 ID. Buzz is significantly larger than the original, incorporating design cues like two-tone paint and faux air intakes on the rear roof pillars.
The new Microbus is larger than the original, comparable in length to a Toyota Sienna. The upright greenhouse and tall door panels conceal the underfloor-mounted battery pack and relatively high seating position, while still offering excellent visibility. The seating position is modern and well behind the front wheels.
Performance and Driving
The ID. Buzz is available with either a single-motor rear-wheel-drive configuration producing 282 horsepower, or a dual-motor all-wheel drive version with 335 horsepower. The instant torque of the electric powertrain provides energetic performance in urban environments, but it doesn’t offer a significant performance advantage over comparable gas-powered minivans on the open road.
For example, the rear-wheel-drive ID. Buzz has to propel a weight of nearly 6,000 pounds with 282 horsepower. In comparison, the Honda Odyssey’s V6 engine produces 280 horsepower, but weighs only 4,526 pounds. While testing, the ID. Buzz had little trouble making passes on two-lane highways.
Opting for the all-wheel-drive ID. Buzz provides a noticeable increase in power, with confidence enhanced by the traction of the front end as you corner. All trims, however, are electronically limited to a top speed of 99 mph.
Handling and Ride
As a three-ton minivan, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz will not provide the same driving experience as a Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model X. The van’s weight is distributed, with the battery pack located in the floor, keeping the center of gravity low. Its wide stance also contributes to confident cornering with limited body roll.
The ID. Buzz offers its best balance of ride quality with front struts and a multilink rear suspension with coil springs. While the steering is a bit heavy and numb, it becomes even more so in Sport mode; the turning circle remains impressive for a vehicle of its size.
Range, Charging, and Battery
The ID. Buzz’s EPA-estimated range is 234 miles with rear-wheel drive and 231 miles with all-wheel drive. While it’s in line with the base models of the Kia EV9 three-row SUV, it falls short of the EV9’s long-range version. The more expensive Rivian R1S, a seven-seat electric SUV, can go up to 410 miles on a single charge.
The ID. Buzz can be charged using Level 2 240-volt charging stations or public DC fast-charging facilities. Charging from a 120-volt household outlet is possible but would take a considerable amount of time, making it suitable only for emergencies. Volkswagen estimates the ID. Buzz to charge from 10% to 80% in 26 minutes using a suitable DC fast-charging station and can accept up to 200-kW.
All ID. Buzz buyers get a charging plan, incorporating a three-year Electrify America Pass+ discount membership, and 500-kWh of free charging. The van supports Plug & Charge, which enables direct communication with the charging station without the need for a phone app or credit card.
Interior Features and Technology
Passenger Space
Passenger space is ample in all three rows, and the sliding doors make it easy to access even the back row. It is easy to get in and out of the ID. Buzz, with no need for gymnastics. There are no complaints from a larger person who might ride in the back row.
Interior Design
The cabin is clean and minimalist, with a small instrument cluster atop the steering column and a 12.9-inch central infotainment display. There are three interior motifs offered: Moonlight, Dune, and Copper. All three versions include synthetic leather seats with contrasting stitching and trim details.
Rear-wheel-drive trims offer second-row bench seats, with a capacity of seven people. The Pro S Plus can be equipped with second-row captain’s chairs and a six-person configuration. Every all-wheel-drive model has the captain’s chairs.
Infotainment
The ID. Buzz’s infotainment system, like many EVs, is operated via a 12.9-inch display, with some functions duplicated on the steering wheel. Although the system is responsive, the placement of symbols on the screen can lead to different functions. There are no physical buttons for climate control settings, but sliders are integrated at the bottom edge of the screen.
The standard audio equipment is a nine-speaker setup, with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system as an option. A head-up display, surround-view camera system, and a 30-color ambient lighting system are also available.
Interior Amenities
All models come standard with tri-zone automatic climate control, with air vents for all three rows. They also include heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row outboard seats, and a heated steering wheel. A heated windshield is available, though it has vertical lines.
Cargo Capacity
With its ability to consume large quantities of cargo, the ID. Buzz excels. Even with all three rows of seats in place, the ID. Buzz has space for goods with 18.6 cubic feet. Fold the third row, and there’s 75.5 cubic feet of cargo volume, while folding both rear rows provides 145.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
The cargo area has a higher load floor than most minivans, which can make loading and unloading more difficult. The design, however, provides a pair of cool storage boxes under its available “Flexboard” flat-loading floor accessory.
Towing
Rear-wheel-drive models can tow up to 2,600 pounds with the proper equipment. All-wheel-drive models can tow items up to 3,500 pounds. The ID. Buzz Pro S Plus models feature a retractable hitch receiver that hides from view when not in use.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Technology
The ID. Buzz is outfitted with Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive suite of safety technology across all trims. This includes features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. It also comes with an exit warning system, parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlights.
In addition, the ID. Buzz has Volkswagen’s Travel Assist technology. The hands-on-the-wheel semi-automated driving system uses several of the van’s sensors and safety systems to manage acceleration, braking, and steering with minimal effort required by the driver.
Competition
While the ID. Buzz is currently the only electric minivan you can purchase, its primary competition includes the Chrysler Pacifica, Kia EV9, and Rivian R1S. Also, considering its cargo ability, it can even rival the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition. It is priced near the high end of the midsize SUV market, competing against the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Mazda CX-90 PHEV, and Lexus TX.
Why the ID. Buzz Matters
With many SUV shoppers avoiding minivans, the ID. Buzz could bring them back due to the “cool factor.” The ID. Buzz is significant because it fulfills VW’s promise to bring a reincarnation of the van back to the market. Since total production of the van is shared with European consumer and commercial customers, there will be a limited number available in America.
It will be a halo car and will be in high demand when it hits dealerships later this year. Volkswagen in America is primarily an SUV company, and the ID. Buzz could attract attention to the rest of its lineup.
