The instantly recognizable Volkswagen ID.Buzz, a modern, all-electric revival of the classic VW Bus from the 1960s, is finally making its way to the market. After seven long years of anticipation, this stylish, three-row vehicle will begin appearing in dealerships starting in November and December 2024. Priority will be given to dealerships that have had success with the sales of Volkswagen’s other electric vehicle, the ID.4 compact crossover.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz is priced between $61,500 and $71,500 and comes with a range that varies slightly based on the configuration. The base rear-wheel-drive model has an EPA-rated range of 234 miles, while the optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive version offers a range of 231 miles. North American customers will be treated to a long-wheelbase variant, offering six or seven seats depending on the selected trim. However, the commercial panel-van version, which is available in Europe, won’t be coming to the U.S. due to tax restrictions.
Volkswagen introduced the ID.Buzz to the media in mid-October with an event in the San Francisco Bay Area, a region known for having one of the highest concentrations of electric vehicles in the U.S. After kicking things off with a photo shoot involving more than a dozen 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz vehicles on San Francisco’s iconic Lombard Street, the drive continued through picturesque Marin County, with stops at the Golden Gate Bridge and various scenic locations along the ocean.
Retro Charm with Modern Features
The 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz continues to draw attention wherever it goes, just as it did when Volkswagen first announced its production in 2017. The vehicle’s distinctive design includes a large, illuminated VW badge and a choice of eight two-tone paint schemes, with all but one featuring a white upper body paired with a vibrant color, such as orange, yellow, or green. Other options include uniform colors like black, white, and silver, though the silver-over-Cherry Red combination may not be to everyone’s taste.
Inside, the North American version of the ID.Buzz offers three interior color schemes—Copper, Dune, and Moonlight—each adding to the vehicle’s appeal. Interestingly, Volkswagen has opted not to include the typical all-black interior, which is a staple in many German cars.
Standing tall and boxy, the ID.Buzz pays homage to the original VW Bus, but with a modern twist. The short nose design helps disguise the substantial safety zone between the windshield and the front passengers—something the old VW Bus notably lacked. Though the ID.Buzz is now powered by an electric motor rather than the original air-cooled flat-4 engine, it still retains the rear-wheel-drive setup that VW enthusiasts appreciate.
While the overall design of the ID.Buzz is iconic, the rear of the vehicle, with its vertical and sharp edges, might not be as aesthetically pleasing as the front. However, the rear hatch opens up to 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which can expand to 75.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats removed. Folding down the second row increases the cargo volume to a massive 145.5 cubic feet.
Driving Performance and Features
All U.S. models of the ID.Buzz are powered by a 91-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The standard rear-wheel-drive version delivers 282 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, while the 4Motion all-wheel-drive variant adds a front motor for a combined 335 horsepower. Despite the power difference, the range between the two models is similar, with 234 miles for the RWD version and 231 miles for the AWD version.
While the ID.Buzz may not offer blistering acceleration like some electric vehicles, it’s still a far cry from the sluggish performance of the original Microbus. The vehicle is expected to hit 60 mph in around six seconds, which should be more than adequate for most drivers. The turning radius is impressively tight for a vehicle of this size, at just 37.4 feet for the rear-wheel-drive model and 42.7 feet for the all-wheel-drive version.
Though the vehicle handles predictably and safely, it’s not designed for aggressive driving. Even on 20-inch wheels, the tires can feel the strain of the vehicle’s considerable weight, especially when driven with enthusiasm. However, the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz is more than capable of handling typical tasks like grocery runs and school drop-offs.
Volkswagen’s Level 2 onboard charger allows for 11-kilowatt charging, while DC fast charging can reach speeds of up to 200 kilowatts under ideal conditions. Although we didn’t have the chance to test the vehicle’s charging capabilities during our media drive, we’re eager to see how it performs during a longer test.
Interior and Practicality
The ID.Buzz’s cabin is spacious and airy, thanks in part to its expansive glass roof, the largest Volkswagen has ever offered. This optional electrochromic “smart glass” can switch from translucent to heavily tinted at the press of a button, adding a futuristic touch to the interior.
The vehicle offers seating for six or seven passengers, with easy access to the third row. VW claims that the ID.Buzz boasts the most spacious third row of any vehicle sold in North America today, and from our experience, it felt as roomy as the best in the class, such as the Chrysler Pacifica.
For added practicality, the center console can be repositioned or removed, though the vehicle does lack some of the convenient storage features found in competing models. Door pockets, for example, don’t have bottle holders, and overall storage space could be improved.
In a first for Volkswagen in North America, the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz offers a retractable trailer hitch with a towing capacity of 2,600 lbs for the rear-wheel-drive model and 3,500 lbs for the all-wheel-drive version. However, towing will likely impact the vehicle’s range.
Who Is the ID.Buzz For?
The ID.Buzz doesn’t directly compete with traditional minivans, as Volkswagen reports that only a small fraction of prospective buyers come from the minivan segment. Instead, most interest comes from midsize and full-size SUV owners, leading VW to compare the ID.Buzz to vehicles like the Chevrolet Suburban, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Kia EV9, and Rivian R1S.
While the ID.Buzz is shorter than many of its competitors, it offers impressive headroom and cargo space, making it a practical choice for families. However, retro-inspired designs like the ID.Buzz often see a strong initial sales surge, only to decline over time. Whether the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz can sustain its appeal remains to be seen.
Pricing and Options
The 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz starts at $61,545 for the Pro S model, which includes rear-wheel drive, powered sliding doors, heated and ventilated front seats, and a three-zone climate control system. Moving up to the Pro S Plus adds $2,500 to the price, bringing features like a retractable tow hitch, head-up display, and optional captain’s chairs in the second row.
For those seeking even more, the limited First Edition package is available for $67,045, offering two-tone paint, a panoramic glass roof, and powered doors, among other features. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system can be added for an additional $4,500, bringing the total to $71,545.
