AutoTrader SCORE
-
STYLING10.0/10
-
Safety10.0/10
-
PRACTICALITY10.0/10
-
USER-FRIENDLINESS5.0/10
-
FEATURES8.0/10
-
POWER7.0/10
-
COMFORT9.0/10
-
DRIVING FEEL7.0/10
-
FUEL ECONOMY8.0/10
-
VALUE6.0/10
After a long gestation period, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz has finally arrived in North America as a modern reincarnation of the brand’s Type 2 bus — one of the most culturally significant vehicles maybe ever.
With a striking redesign that captures the best bits of the original, the all-electric ID. Buzz is one of the coolest new vehicles around. It’s officially classified as a minivan, a vehicle that’s fallen out of favour with most North Americans, but the ID. Buzz is a fresh new take in the segment. It’s also bigger and more spacious than anything else in its class.
Styling: 10/10
Bringing back an icon is never easy. Designers had to account for everything a modern vehicle needs, from the latest crash standards to sought after conveniences. And, in the case of the ID. Buzz, it had to be electric.
It’s been built for the digital era but is instantly recognizable down to its tiny front and rear overhangs and giant VW badge right in the centre. Available in colours like green and yellow, and with a contrasting white roof, it’s a happy design with clever references to the original, like the lines that form the V-shaped front end and flow around the body, separating it into two halves. Then there are the strakes on the rear pillars that are a nod to the vents that helped cool the rear-mounted engine of the original. Even the hidden square side window is a throwback, and the hubcap-like wheel design is awesome.
The dash is contemporary Volkswagen, with a 12.9-inch infotainment screen and a small display mounted behind the steering wheel. The cabin is devoid of buttons, a major downside, but it’s enormous and about as airy as car interiors get, with premium-feeling materials and a ton of thoughtful features.
Practicality: 10/10
Think about all the minivans you’ve ever been in. Now know the ID. Buzz is bigger. It has the most spacious third row I’ve ever sat in, with plenty of head- and knee room for my six-foot frame. It's a bit of a climb to get into the front half of the cabin, but once there you sit as far forward as possible, and feel almost as if you’re directly on top of the front axle.
This tester was a six-seater with captain’s chairs in the second row, the only configuration available if you opt for all-wheel drive. The rear-wheel-drive version gets a 60/40 split-folding bench in the middle. Regardless of trim, the middle-row seats recline and move fore and aft, and are even roomier than the ones behind.
Cubbies to store stuff are plentiful in all three rows. The front and sliding doors have multiple storage levels, and there’s a handy shelf above the glove box. The large centre console has resizable cupholders, and the plastic dividers double as an ice scraper and a bottle opener. You can even move the centre console to the back seats with the second-row captain’s chairs, while both rear rows fold flat.
With all the seats up, there’s 526 L of space, and you’ll find more thoughtful features here like foldable storage boxes under a built-in bench. The third row can even be removed if needed.
Features: 8/10
The ID. Buzz has dual power-sliding doors and tons of room for passengers and cargo. It’s also peppered with USB-C charging ports, including in the third row. There’s even one on the rear-view mirror for a convenient way to connect a dash cam.
There’s a conveniently located pocket-style wireless charger for your phone, a movable centre console box, a standard head-up display, and a massive electrically shaded glass roof available as an extra.
Comfort: 9/10
With soft leatherette seats in all three rows and room to stretch out for six or seven people, the ID. Buzz is as comfortable as a well-appointed living room. Front seats get heat, ventilation, and massage in the year-one 1st Edition trim, and the second-row seats are also heated.
The ID. Buzz is impeccably quiet inside, even at highway speeds, and no discernible fake sounds are played through the speakers — a refreshing departure from many new electric vehicles (EVs) on the market. The ride is well-damped, and the ID. Buzz glides over most road imperfections with minimal intrusions.
Power: 7/10
The rear-wheel-drive version of the ID. Buzz comes with a single motor that makes 282 hp, while the version tested here with all-wheel drive adds a second motor up front for a total of 335 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque.
It doesn’t need to be a quick vehicle, and it isn’t — but there wasn’t a situation where I felt like more power was necessary, either. Acceleration is adequate; it gets up to highway speeds quickly and has no problem passing slow-moving vehicles.
Fuel Economy: 8/10
For a vehicle as big and heavy as the ID. Buzz is, 86 kWh of usable battery energy just isn’t enough. After all, this is a vehicle that epitomizes freedom and adventure, but the official range estimate of just 372 km means stops can’t be too far apart.
Charging the battery is acceptably quick, however, maxing out at 200 kW if connected to a suitable DC fast-charger. My charging experience saw speeds consistently faster than 100 kW, even during a cold snap where temperatures dropped below -10 °C. Meanwhile, consumption remained reasonable at 28.0 kWh/100 km during this test, thanks in no small part to the standard heat pump.
Driving Feel: 7/10
Among the joys of driving the ID. Buzz are the smiles you get from just about everyone who sees it. That same happy feeling permeates the driving experience, especially when cruising at a leisurely pace. It’s not a vehicle that enjoys being rushed, and it feels big on tight city streets, but it’s relaxed, quiet, and very comfortable out on the open road.
Despite its size, the ID. Buzz has a decent turning radius and is easy to drive and park. Even when loaded with passengers, it doesn’t feel bogged down. There’s no one-pedal drive mode, but there’s a “B” mode that’s pretty effective at slowing this EV down when lifting off the accelerator pedal. However, it won’t come to a complete stop without the mechanical brakes.
User-Friendliness: 5/10
Replacing buttons with capacitive surfaces isn’t unique to Volkswagen, but it might be the worst offender. All the cleverness and thoughtful interior design in the ID. Buzz ends at the dashboard. The infotainment system is easy to use and has crisp graphics, but the touch-sensitive volume slider and climate controls are extremely annoying. And there’s no relief to be found on the steering wheel, which is cursed with another volume slider and more touch controls. Even the electric dimming sunroof control is a touch slider.
The worst, however, is the absence of rear window switches on the driver’s door. Instead, there’s a button that needs to be pressed in order to use the front window switches to open the rear windows. It turns a one-step operation into two, and requires extra attention every time.
Safety: 10/10
A full suite of safety systems and driver aids is standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and surround-view cameras. Outward visibility is outstanding in all directions, and for something so tall, it doesn’t lean much when cornering and feels stable under heavy crosswinds.
Value: 6/10
Being the new halo product for Volkswagen, the ID. Buzz sits at the very top of the automaker’s offerings with a starting price of $77,495 before freight and fees are added. The all-wheel drive 1st Edition tested here was even more expensive at $86,495 after tallying up the options. For a minivan, albeit with more room than its competitors, that’s a large sum to fork over.
The materials, design, and clever interior all make it feel like a novel and premium offering, but the limited driving range in a vehicle that looks like it was designed to travel long distances is a letdown.
The Verdict
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz had the potential to have the same impact as the New Beetle did when it came out in 1998. It’s easily one of the coolest vehicles in a long time and shines a new light on the minivan category. Still, the high price and relatively small range could limit its appeal.
| Engine Displacement | 250 kW |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Dual electric motors |
| Peak Horsepower | 335 hp |
| Peak Torque | 413 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | 2.7 / 3.2 / 2.9 Le/100 km cty/hwy/cmb; 24.2 / 28.4 / 26.1 kWh/100 km; 372 km est. range |
| Cargo Space | 527 / 2,138 / 4,120 L behind 3rd/2nd/1st |
| Model Tested | 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz 1st Edition 4Motion |
| Base Price | $82,995 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,500 |
| Price as Tested | $86,495 |
|
Optional Equipment
$3,500 — Panoramic fixed glass roof, $2,000; White roof, $1,500
|
|
You may also like
