In 2017, Volkswagen rocked the automotive world by debuting a concept vehicle dubbed the ID. Buzz. This battery-electric minivan aimed to take the spirit of the beloved Type 2 Microbus and give it a contemporary twist inside and out. Flash forward to 2022, and the new microbus officially entered production—but only for the European market. Fortunately, enthusiasts don’t have to wait any longer for the ID. Buzz to come to North America.
It has arrived for the 2025 model year, making it the first all-electric minivan sold in the United States. Furthermore, it has an all-new powertrain and a longer wheelbase than the version sold in Europe. But is this machine simply here for the Baby Boomer nostalgia, or is it a legitimate EV for the 2020s and beyond? That’s what I’m here to discover with this VW ID. Buzz buyer’s guide looking at the ins and outs to see if it delivers on the hype.
A Big Upgrade in Power
As worshipped as the Volkswagen Bus was, no one could argue that it was powerful; the first-generation engines made anywhere from 24 to 54 hp. VW has remedied this with the ID. Buzz. The base package has a single rear motor generating 282 hp—that’s over 1,000% more horsepower than the first VW bus engine and a big jump from the 204 hp European ID. Buzz. For even more vigor, you can get the optional 4MOTION dual-motor all-wheel drive setup with 335 hp. The manufacturer says it can reach a top speed of 99 mph, and in testing, the 4MOTION version went from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Drivers won’t set any speed records, but they can easily run with highway traffic, which is what’s most important for a vehicle like this.
Range and Charging
With the VW Bus’ reputation as an adventure vehicle, any successor should be made for traveling. The ID. Buzz has a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery with an EPA-estimated range of 234 miles in the rear-wheel drive version and 231 miles in the 4MOTION version. It fares better in city driving, as the rear-wheel drive ID. Buzz gets 90 MPGe in the city and 75 MPGe on the highway. While there’s no direct comparison as a pioneer of its segment, the ID. Buzz far outpaces existing electric cargo vans. For comparison, the Ram ProMaster EV has a range of 164 miles, while the Ford E-Transit can go 159 miles.
Just as significant is that it won’t take long to charge the ID. Buzz. The battery can charge at a rate of up to 200 kW using a Level 3 DC Fast Charger. That will take the battery from 10 to 80% capacity in approximately 26 minutes. By the time drivers finish lunch, they will be ready for an afternoon on the road.
Design and Performance
First, a little background is necessary. The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the second vehicle from the ID series of BEVs to be available in the United States, joining the ID.4 compact crossover. Like all current ID vehicles, along with some Audi e-tron models, it’s based on the VW MEB platform. This plays to the advantage of the ID. Buzz, allowing designers to give the minivan short overhangs and a low body like the classic VW Bus. The retro styling continues with the stocky exterior profile—and it even has the iconic two-tone paint with a white top.
Where the modern ID. Buzz gets an update is its driving manners. The independent suspension, electronic stability control, and 20-inch alloy wheels make it surprisingly smooth, stable, and fun with minimal body roll. Suffice it to say, I can imagine driving to Woodstock in this machine (though finding a charger there might be a challenge).
A Roomy Interior
The ID. Buzz is significantly larger than the classic VW Bus, which means it is plenty spacious. It has 163.7 cu.ft. of passenger space and standard three-row seating for seven. You can replace the second-row bench seat with captain’s chairs for even more comfort (this will reduce the seating capacity to six people). The first two rows of seats are heated, and the front seats are ventilated and massaging.
Cargo space is 18.6 cu.ft. with all the seats up, and there’s a 12V outlet and a divider shelf in the rear. If you remove the third row and fold the second-row seats down, the cargo area surges to 145.5 cu.ft. You can fit everything from camping tents to plywood sheets. There are many other useful features, such as door pockets designed to hold water bottles, three-zone automatic HVAC controls, third-row storage cubbies, and a removable center console. For good measure, VW adds 30-color ambient interior lighting to brighten the mood.
Infotainment Tech
Long gone are the VW Bus days of popping in a cassette tape or trying to find a local radio station. The ID. Buzz has all the latest technology to elevate a road trip. Every trim has a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, eight USB-C data and charging ports, a 110V passenger-side power outlet, and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. Higher trims have goodies like a 14-speaker, 700-watt Harman Kardon sound system and a head-up display to further enhance the ride.
Taking Safety Seriously
As cherished as the VW Bus is, it wasn’t the safest vehicle even by 1950s and 1960s standards. In today’s age, it’s a veritable death trap. Luckily, the VW ID. Buzz takes safety seriously. It includes the full VW IQ.DRIVE suite as part of its comprehensive driver assistance system, with:
- Travel Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Forward Collision Warning
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Pedestrian Monitoring
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Rear Traffic Alert
- Lane Assist
- Emergency Assist
Although the NHTSA and IIHS haven’t yet released crash test results for the American version, the European version with standard equipment earned a five-star overall rating from the Euro NCAP, and I would expect something similar for the American edition.
But That’s Not All
There are several more details I wanted to mention about the ID. Buzz that didn’t fit anywhere else. Each adds practicality, cool style, or both to this modern microbus.
- The Pro S Plus and 1st Edition trims have a manually retractable trailer hitch, and the towing capacity is 3,500 lbs with 4MOTION (2,600 lbs with rear-wheel drive), which is enough to haul powersports equipment, pop-up campers, small boats, and comparable cargo.
- The 1st Edition has a giant 60.6-inch by 36.6-inch panoramic roof with fixed glass, electrochromic tinting to change from clear to dark, and a special liquid crystal treatment to reduce heat (this roof is available on the Pro S Plus as an option).
- The Pro S Plus 4MOTION has a heated windshield for cozier winter driving, while the 1st Edition has a heat-reflecting windshield to avoid cooking in the summer. Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard.
- The vehicle comes with five years of CarNet Remote Access, which lets you remotely activate battery charging, find the nearest charging station, lock/unlock the doors, and even change HVAC settings. It also provides anti-theft alerts and emergency assistance.
Not Your Grandfather’s VW Bus
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz may resemble the famed Type 2 on the outside. But make no mistake—underneath, it’s an advanced vehicle ready to drive into the future, flat nose and all. Everyone from weekend explorers to DIYers can enjoy plenty of power, a host of useful features, a cavernous interior, and head-turning style.
Critics agree with this assessment. Among other honors, the ID. Buzz made the prestigious Car and Driver 10Best Trucks list, was crowned the 2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, and was chosen as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024. In short, anyone who loves cutting-edge vehicles with retro flair will dig this new microbus.
