Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Professional S Plus 4Motion
Specs
Class: Minivan
Nation of Manufacture: Germany
Shade:Energetic Orange
Miles pushed: 173
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | B |
| Gasoline Financial system | A |
| Worth | C |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 335-horsepower |
| Engine Kind | Twin electrical motors |
| Transmission | Computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Battery capability: 86 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 87 metropolis/74 hwy/80 mixed
EPA-estimated driving vary: 231 miles
Client Information vary estimate (best situations): 275+ miles
Cost Port Location: Rear passenger-side fender
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base value (2024): $67,995 (not together with $1550 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: 2-tone paint ($995)
Worth as examined: $70,540
Execs and Cons
The good: Temper-improving design, roomy and cozy cabin, enjoyable to drive
The nice: Nice outward visibility, inside quietness
The not so good: Restricted battery vary, disappointing cargo house aft of Third-row seatbacks
Evaluation
Relying on if you first turned conscious of Volkswagen’s intentions to supply a Microbus-revival minivan, it’s doable you’ve been ready for this attention-grabbing household hauler for fairly some time.
Microbus Idea Vehicles
Volkswagen first confirmed a retro minivan on the 2001 Detroit Auto Present, greater than 20 years in the past. Although the Bulli Idea was not an electrical automobile (EV), it was each fashionable trying and fairly trustworthy to VW’s design heritage.
The German maker once more teased model followers, this time with the ID. Buzz Idea, additionally revealed in Detroit, this time in 2017. The “Buzz” was meant to be an electrical automobile from the beginning, however its arrival within the U.S. as a manufacturing mannequin was delayed by a lot of obstacles, together with company infighting over which variations of the van had been finest suited to the U.S. market. (Solely the long-wheelbase model of the ID. Buzz is exported to the U.S., whereas European prospects even have entry to a considerably tidier, less-expensive model of the van.)
Given the electrical van’s retro-fun design, and basic occasion perspective, it got here as no shock that consumers, lovers, and members of the media, known as loudly for manufacturing of the ID. Buzz, and, in fact, availability within the U.S.
Gradual Gross sales
However American automobile consumers might be unpredictable, and regardless of the thrill previous the ID. Buzz retail launch late final yr, gross sales in 2025 have been disappointing. By the primary three quarters of ’25, VW has bought fewer than 5000 examples of its electrical minivan. Throughout the identical interval, Toyota put greater than 75,000 Sienna minivans in American garages.
Remembering the New Beetle
Observe that Volkswagen has loved nostalgia-based mannequin success earlier than. The German maker efficiently peddled greater than one million New Beatles within the U.S. between 1998 and 2010, and a pair hundred thousand extra dubbed merely “Beetle” after that. This even supposing the New Beetle had nearly nothing in widespread with the unique VW Kind 1, besides its scarab-like silhouette.
ID Buzz Gross sales Boundaries
There are a number of elements working towards the ID. Buzz acceptance nevertheless, and we’ll handle every of those:
- It’s electrical
- It’s costly
- It’s shy on cargo house
- Its battery vary is disappointing
However, within the van’s protection, it is usually a pleasure to drive.
Halo Automotive
In a dialog with this creator on a current episode of the Client Information Automotive Stuff Podcast, Volkswagen Head of Communications (since retired) Mark Gillies defined that the ID. Buzz was by no means meant to be a quantity vendor, however as an alternative a boutique mannequin meant to function a halo product for the model. You possibly can take heed to that dialog right here.
In that dialog, Gillies famous that regardless of the Buzz’s early sluggish gross sales, the maker has no plan to supply a gasoline or fuel/electrical hybrid variations of the van. The ID. Buzz was designed to be an electrical automobile.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2025, the ID Buzz is obtainable in three trim ranges:
- Professional S ($61,545)
- Professional S Plus ($65,045)
- 1st Version ($68,040)
We count on the 1st Version mannequin to vanish for 2026, seemingly to get replaced by a special-edition trim degree of some kind.
Engines
Professional S fashions function a single rear-axle motor rated at 282 horsepower, and are EPA estimated to journey 234 miles on a single cost. Professional S Plus and 1st Version Buzz variants function entrance and rear motors (and are thus AWD) rated at a mixed 335 horsepower, and journey 234 miles on a full cost. All fashions draw energy from a typical 86-kWh battery.
Commonplace Tools
All three fashions come properly outfitted with a full complement of security tools and worthwhile equipment. Professional S Plus and 1st Version additionally embody head-up instrumentation, Harman Kardon-brand premium audio, overhead-view digital camera, and a nifty cargo-area storage system, amongst different options.
Shade Availability
Sadly–including to the impression that that the van is pricey–one of many ID. Buzz’s signature traits, it’s enjoyable colour palette, is proscribed on base fashions. Professional S consumers have solely two 2-tone selections, blue and white, and purple and grey. And, as seen above, stepping as much as the following trim degree provides $4000 to the underside line, PLUS the price of the 2-tone paint choice ($995).
Take a look at Automotive
Client Information just lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz in Professional S Plus trim that includes the perky Energetic Orange and Sweet White 2-tone paint scheme. All instructed, together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at van got here to $70,540.
As famous above, we’re eager to handle what we consider are the obstacles to market acceptance of VW’s plucky minivan, and share our ideas on the matter. First, the electrical factor…
It’s Electrical
With U.S. EV market share working about eight p.c of whole new-vehicle gross sales, any electrical automobile or crossover is hampered by its attraction being restricted to only a fraction of the American car-shopping public.
That mentioned, VW clearly believed that the ID. Buzz’s enjoyable design, spunky perspective, and, finally, actual practicality, would assist clear that market hurdle. And, to some extent, being the one electrical product within the minivan section might be seen as a gross sales asset.
And whereas minivan prospects might usually be a practical—and cost-conscious—bunch of automobile consumers, and unlikely to experiment with plug-in energy, there may be a lot concerning the ID. Buzz being electrical that makes it a wonderful minivan.
Merely, the ID. Buzz is the quickest, quietest, most rewarding to drive van minivan. Along with its EV attributes, the Buzz can also be fast dealing with, easy driving, and incorporates a recent tackle automotive inside design. The ID Buzz is the form of automobile that sells itself on the take a look at drive.
It’s Costly
Sure it’s. Whereas the surprisingly nice and succesful 2025 Kia Carnival boasts a beginning value simply over $38,000, the ID Buzz kicks in at a sobering $61,545. Clearly, Volkswagen believes that the Buzz’s joyful demeanor and funky styling command a value premium, however we doubt most minivan consumers are ready to increase the quantity of their month-to-month funds by 50 p.c or extra for the sake of a bit additional enjoyable.
Certainly, the attraction of the ID. Buzz is more likely to sporty- and luxury-car consumers on the lookout for new high-profile trip. To such consumers, the Buzz’s actual utility might show to be an asset, except mentioned people regard practicality as demerit.
It’s shy on cargo house
The ID Buzz boasts all kinds of passenger room, and can make six grownup passengers very comfortable, even on lengthy journeys. Nevertheless, VW’s electrical van is wanting house aft of the threerd row. What the van can not do, is transport six individuals on an extended journey, and all of their baggage. For five- and 6-person households with road-trip trip aspirations, this lack of cargo-area house is probably going a deal breaker. And that’s a disgrace, as a result of the van is a lot enjoyable to journey in. For inside dimensions in comparison with different minivans, click on right here.
Its battery vary is disappointing
Frankly, we had hoped for larger vary from the ID Buzz’s comparatively massive battery. And, throughout a interval of pleasant Chicago-summer climate we loved a lot better-than-advertised vary. However finally, vacationers and weekend-getaway varieties will discover the German EV’s vary an inconvenience.
Now, positioned into largely native “soccer-mom” service, the ID. Buzz will shine, serving up all of the utility a busy household may want, plus low-cost and handy dwelling charging. That mentioned, we expect the Buzz would promote appreciably higher had been the vary estimate nearer to 300 miles, even at present costs.
Worth
Whereas the ID Buzz’s worth to conventional minivan prospects is blunted by its excessive value and restricted vary, the van is in any other case an absolute delight to drive and be seen in. We admire the brilliant, ethereal, and cozy cabin, in addition to the short acceleration and sporty dealing with.
Have been it not for the value and vary, we might identify the ID. Buzz to our annual Finest Purchase record. Frankly, we envy anybody who could make this rolling pleasure machine part of their every day lives. It’s an amazing van, and it makes onlookers smile. That’s one thing few crossovers can do.
Take heed to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
