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 |
| Gas Economic system | A |
| Worth | C |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 335-horsepower |
| Engine Kind | Twin electrical motors |
| Transmission | Automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Battery capability: 86 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 87 metropolis/74 hwy/80 mixed
EPA-estimated driving vary: 231 miles
Shopper Information vary estimate (superb circumstances): 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 car: 2-tone paint ($995)
Value as examined: $70,540
Professionals 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 area aft of Third-row seatbacks
Evaluate
Relying on if you first grew to become 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 Automobiles
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 car (EV), it was each fashionable wanting and fairly devoted 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 supposed to be an electrical car from the beginning, however its arrival within the U.S. as a manufacturing mannequin was delayed by quite a few obstacles, together with company infighting over which variations of the van have been greatest fitted 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 normal get together angle, it got here as no shock that consumers, fanatics, and members of the media, known as loudly for manufacturing of the ID. Buzz, and, in fact, availability within the U.S.
Sluggish Gross sales
However American automotive consumers may be unpredictable, and regardless of the thrill previous the ID. Buzz retail launch late final 12 months, gross sales in 2025 have been disappointing. By the primary three quarters of ’25, VW has offered 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
Notice 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 if the New Beetle had virtually nothing in frequent with the unique VW Kind 1, besides its scarab-like silhouette.
ID Buzz Gross sales Limitations
There are just a few components 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 area
- Its battery vary is disappointing
However, within the van’s protection, it’s also a pleasure to drive.
Halo Automobile
In a dialog with this creator on a current episode of the Shopper Information Automobile Stuff Podcast, Volkswagen Head of Communications (since retired) Mark Gillies defined that the ID. Buzz was by no means supposed to be a quantity vendor, however as an alternative a boutique mannequin meant to function a halo product for the model. You possibly can hearken 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 gasoline/electrical hybrid variations of the van. The ID. Buzz was designed to be an electrical car.
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 anticipate the 1st Version mannequin to vanish for 2026, possible to get replaced by a special-edition trim stage of some type.
Engines
Professional S fashions characteristic 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 characteristic 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 normal 86-kWh battery.
Commonplace Gear
All three fashions come effectively geared up 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 digicam, 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 restricted on base fashions. Professional S consumers have solely two 2-tone selections, blue and white, and crimson and grey. And, as seen above, stepping as much as the following trim stage provides $4000 to the underside line, PLUS the price of the 2-tone paint possibility ($995).
Take a look at Automobile
Shopper Information lately spent per 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 informed, together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at van got here to $70,540.
As famous above, we’re eager to deal with what we imagine are the boundaries 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 complete new-vehicle gross sales, any electrical automotive or crossover is hampered by its enchantment 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 angle, and, finally, actual practicality, would assist clear that market hurdle. And, to some extent, being the one electrical product within the minivan phase might be seen as a gross sales asset.
And whereas minivan prospects might typically be a practical—and cost-conscious—bunch of automotive consumers, and unlikely to experiment with plug-in energy, there’s a lot in regards to the ID. Buzz being electrical that makes it a superb 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, clean driving, and includes a contemporary tackle automotive inside design. The ID Buzz is the sort of car 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 just a little further enjoyable.
Certainly, the enchantment of the ID. Buzz is prone to sporty- and luxury-car consumers searching for new high-profile journey. To such consumers, the Buzz’s actual utility might show to be an asset, except mentioned of us regard practicality as demerit.
It’s shy on cargo area
The ID Buzz boasts all kinds of passenger room, and can make six grownup passengers very blissful, even on lengthy journeys. Nevertheless, VW’s electrical van is wanting area aft of the threerd row. What the van can’t do, is transport six folks on a protracted journey, and all of their baggage. For five- and 6-person households with road-trip trip aspirations, this lack of cargo-area area 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 sorts will discover the German EV’s vary an inconvenience.
Now, positioned into principally 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 residence charging. That mentioned, we predict the Buzz would promote appreciably higher have 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 fast acceleration and sporty dealing with.
Had been it not for the worth and vary, we’d identify the ID. Buzz to our annual Finest Purchase record. Frankly, we envy anybody who could make this rolling pleasure machine part of their day by day lives. It’s an excellent van, and it makes onlookers smile. That’s one thing few crossovers can do.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures