Reimagining the Classic Microbus
Surfers and hippies over the decades have been associated with a mid-last century Volkswagen microbus, occasionally with surfboards on top or flowers painted on the sides, chugging along in the slow lane. Collectors love the 1960 and 1970-era buses as they are a romantic remembrance for those that grew up with them.
While the vintage Volkswagen bus (1950-1979) continues to be massively popular and a good investment (see stats at the end of the story), Volkswagen has thrown the microbus world into a tizzy over the release of the all-new, all-electric 2025 ID Buzz.
The retro look with a boxy-but-aerodynamic design has dual sliding side doors, a laid back windshield and an upright hands-free power tail gate. Available in eight two-tone paint options of Candy White over either Energetic Orange, Pomelo Yellow, Mahi Green, Cabana Blue, Blue Charcoal, Metro Silver or Indium Grey, or Metro Silver over Cherry Red, are joined by three solid color options of Candy White, Metro Silver or Deep Black Pearl.
The ID Buzz, built on the same platform as the ID4, was first released in Europe in two-row passenger and a cargo configurations, but the United States will be getting the three-row version, with an additional 10 inches of wheelbase, that comes either with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, a larger battery and longer all-electric driving range. The technical specs for the 2025 ID Buzz are at the end of the story.
Silent and Smooth
Volkswagen brought North American automotive journalists to San Francisco for the first drives of the 2025 ID Buzz 1st Edition, which is the fully optioned trim. Starting in China Basin near Oracle Park, home to the San Francisco Giants, we headed to Lombard Street to snake down the famously named “Crookedest Street in the World.” Once this great visual was documented, off we went to Fort Mason at the foot of north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, then over Mt. Tamalpias to Stinson Beach in Marin County.
The drive from the mountain to the beach featured tight, twisting corners, perfect to get a feel for the ID Buzz. The handling was nimble and the tight turning radius surprised us. My driving partner and I were in the rear wheel drive ID Buzz and never felt even the hint of tire slippage, body roll or any lack of control. The 282 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque were plenty to move the 5,968-pound seven-passenger bus.
Taking on San Francisco
The anti-lock brakes were more than up to the task, along with the regenerative braking, to keep control through some serious esses. We were driving a bit more aggressively than a family would on a weekend outing, and can report the electronic stability control and the staggered all-season tires—235/50/20 on the front and 265/45/20 on the rear–gave confidence on any road we threw at it.
Due to time restraints, we did not drive the all-wheel drive version. Clean Fleet Report will have the ID Buzz AWD for a week, in the next few months, for a more in-depth look at the driving, performance and all-electric driving range.
Retro. Iconic. Reincarnated. Nostalgic.
The ID Buzz hints strongly at the classic microbus design, which was important for it to be instantly recognized as a Volkswagen bus. The boxy shape has short front and rear overhangs, and at 16.5 feet long, 6.5 feet wide and 6.3 inches tall, was easy to maneuver in traffic and running in-town errands.
The smooth, down-sloping front end features an illuminated round oversized “VW” logo with a lighted strip connecting the LED headlights. The lower fascia has diamond-shaped, horizontal air openings that are reminiscent to large a cheese grater. Many EVs have a front trunk (frunk), but the small flip-up door at the front of the ID Buzz only provides access to add fluids for the windshield and brakes.
The smooth slab sides with dual power sliding doors (that include a power sliding in-set window for the second row passengers) lead to the rear D-Pillar where three faux vents harken back to the scoops on the earlier air cooled busses. Slick aerodynamic 20-inch wheels look sharp and help contribute to the low 0.29 coefficient of drag. The rear power tailgate has a large “VW” logo badge and the only place “ID.BUZZ” is found on the bus. If planning on pulling anything there is a retractable trailer hitch rated, with the optional brake package, at 2,600 pounds for the RWD and 3,500 pounds for the AWD.
Inside. All Modern.
Stepping inside, the airy and modern interior is offered in three color combinations—Copper, Dune and Moonlight. Large windows and the panoramic glass roof, measuring 67.4 inches long and 40.8 inches wide, has electrochromic tinting that with the swipe of a finger goes from clear to opaque. Even with the glass roof and the tinted second and third row windows, the large cabin was bright.
The driver and passenger seats, with folding armrests on both sides of each seat, get 12-way power, ventilation, massage, heat and memory, while the outboard second-row seats are heated. All seats are covered in perforated leatherette. For fun, Volkswagen has placed ID Buzz Easter Eggs throughout the cabin, and the brake pedal has a Pause icon while the accelerator pedal a Play icon, just like what is found on a computer or other modern devise.
Space is generous for up to seven passengers and their gear. The seven seat set-up, standard on the RWD ID Buzz, has a second-row bench that folds 60:40, reclines 16 degrees and slides 7.9 inches. It also moves 4 inches with the flip of a handle to allow for easier access to the third-row seats, which can be removed. Captain’s chairs with seating for six are standard on the AWD model. The leg and head room in either configuration are excellent, even for 6+ footers.
The second and third-row seats fold flat and, when the Flexboard is in-place at the far rear, it makes for a wide sleeping area for two adults, or two adults and a kid, or for two adults and a dog. There are two removable storage bins (“Buzz Boxes”) and recessed storage areas under the Flexboard. In other words, the 2025 ID Buzz is ready for around town errands or an urban camping adventure.
Technology
The ID Buzz has three screens—a head-up display, a configurable 5.3 inch vehicle information screen and a 12.9-inch infotainment screen. The standard wireless app connect, wireless phone charging, a 110V outlet, 12V charger and eight USB-C ports throughout the cabin, including in the doors, will keep everyone connected and powered-up.
Steering wheel buttons can control the haptic infotainment screen. In an attempt to be extra modern and to make for a sleek and uncluttered dash, there are no physical buttons on the ID Buzz except for three that control the sliding side doors.
Comfort is aided by the 3-zone climate system, heated exterior mirrors, heated steering wheel and the heated washer nozzles.
There are three ID Buzz trims—Pro S, Pro S Plus and the one we drove, 1st Edition. The upgrade Harmon-Kardon 14-speaker audio system was easy to program and operate. In such a large vehicle with an unusual amount of glass (usually the bane of sound engineers!) it sounded pretty good. Of course everyone riding in the second and third rows probably will be wearing head phones listening to their own devices, so for the front occupants the sound quality was well balanced with ample bass, treble and mid-range settings.
Safety
The ID Buzz comes with IQ.Drive, which includes advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking with front pedestrian detection, active side assist blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, lane assist, adaptive cruise control w/Stop & Go, Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.
Pricing and Availability
The 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz will go on-sale in all 50 states in mid-November 2024. Volkswagen is not taking pre-orders, so contact your local dealer sooner-rather-than-later to schedule a test drive when they arrive.
This is the pricing for the three trim levels of Pro S, Pro S Plus and the 1st Edition. Note: The $1,550 destination charge is included in all prices.
Pro S (RWD only) $61,545
Pro S Plus
RWD $65,045
AWD $69,545
1st Edition
RWD $67,045
AWD $71,545
Observations: 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz
The cool factor, vibes and aura the ID Buzz emits were obvious, very quickly. People wanted to know what we were driving, wanted to talk about it and take a look inside. The 60+ age group were the most excited as it gave them flash backs to their youth. After a few short miles, my driving partner and I got it, too.
Volkswagen does not intend on importing large numbers of the ID Buzz from Hanover, Germany, where it is assembled. While it should sell well in the United States and Canada, it will be considered a niche vehicle that draws attention to the Volkswagen brand. Expect to see many in the states where EVs are already popular, which includes the beach cities on Pacific Coast Highway in California.
Ryan Gavin, senior product planner for the ID Buzz and ID 7, told us “The ID Buzz will bring enthusiasm to Volkswagen. The importance of the ID Buzz will be it being the halo vehicle for Volkswagen, bringing people into dealerships.” He went on to say: “It is a new category for Volkswagen that will be introducing and re-introducing people to the brand.”
This new category concept is an interesting distinction as it is the only all-electric van on the market. The dual power sliding side doors and seating for up to seven, with excellent access and egress and the impressive cargo versatility only add to the list. Volkswagen also said the AWD model will make up 60% of all ID Buzz sales, which indicates buyers are looking for added handling and mild-off-road capability.
If our short time behind the wheel is any indication, Volkswagen is right on target of what the ID Buzz will do for them.
The three rows offer space to spread out and haul cargo, but the shorter wheelbase, two-row version sold in Europe would be a nice option for American drivers that don’t need the extra space for a family or want a panel van for their business.
Finding a happy place
The ID Buzz will find its happy place on the freeway, heading to the mountains for a ski weekend, cruising the coast in search of waves or just rolling for in-town errands. The 0-60 times are respectable, making it capable of merging with freeway traffic and hauling people and their gear.
As Volkswagen said, the ID Buzz was designed to “bring more smiles per mile than any other car!” As we used to say in the 1960s…Groovy, Baby!
Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews, including a more in-depth review after we have driven the ID Buzz for a week or more.
Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Volkswagen.
[See image gallery at cleanfleetreport.com]
2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz Specifications
Rear-Wheel Drive
– Single, rear-mounted motor
– 282 horsepower (hp) and 413 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque
– 91 kWh maximum/86 kWh usable lithium-ion battery
– 11 kW onboard charger
– 0 – 60 mph: 6.9 seconds
– Driving Range: 234 miles
All-Wheel Drive
– Dual motors
– 335 hp and 99 lb.-ft. of torque front/413 lb.-ft. rear
– 91 kWh maximum/86 kWh usable lithium-ion battery
– 11 kW onboard charger
– 0 – 60 mph: 6.0 seconds
– Driving Range: 231 miles
Charging
The ID Buzz uses a 400-volt system that can charge at a maximum of 200 kW. There are three is charging options through a plug-in port with these approximate charge times.
120V (Level 1) – Additional 2 miles of charge per hour, or about 80 hours to full charge
240V (Level 2) – 7.5 hours for 10% – 100%
480V DC Fast Charging – 30 minutes or less for 10% – 80%
Additional charging will be through regenerative braking that converts kinetic energy into electricity when braking or coasting. Driving around town, stuck in stop-and-go rush hour freeway traffic or coasting down hills will recharge the battery.
The 2025 ID Buzz includes 500 kWh of charging at Electrify America public chargers, plus three years of Electrify America’s Pass+ membership.
Classic Volkswagen Valuations
As of October 2024, Hagerty, an insurance and valuation company specializing in classic and collectible cars, reported this about these generations of original Volkswagen microbuses.
Valuation & Demographic Data (Hagerty Automotive intelligence)
• 1950-1967 Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter, average condition 2, value is up 72% in the past five years to $131,600. This includes the Deluxe 15-window and Samba 23-window vans.
• 1968-1979 Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter, average condition 2, value is up 79% in the past five years to $42,600. This generation includes both the Kombi and Campmobile.
Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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