The automotive world has long awaited the revival of the classic Volkswagen Microbus, and with the launch of the all-electric 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, the wait is finally over. This nostalgic yet futuristic vehicle blends iconic design with cutting-edge technology, making it a standout in the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market. Here’s an in-depth review of what makes the ID. Buzz a game-changer—and where it could improve.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz: Retro Design Meets Modern Innovation
One of the most striking aspects of the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is its design. Inspired by the beloved Microbus of the 1960s, the ID. Buzz captures the spirit of the original while incorporating sleek, modern elements. Its boxy shape, large VW logo, and two-tone color options exude retro charm, while LED lighting and aerodynamic touches bring it firmly into the 21st century.
Inside, the ID. Buzz is equally impressive. The spacious cabin offers seating for up to seven passengers and features a flexible layout, making it ideal for families or road-tripping adventurers. Sustainable materials are used throughout, reflecting Volkswagen’s commitment to eco-conscious manufacturing. The dashboard is dominated by a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a digital driver display. Wireless charging, USB-C ports, and a host of driver-assistance features add to the modern appeal.
Spacious Interior and Thoughtful Comfort
The interior of the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a masterclass in space optimization and thoughtful design. With seating for up to seven passengers, the cabin feels airy and open, thanks to its large windows and panoramic sunroof options. Volkswagen has made extensive use of sustainable materials, creating a stylish and eco-friendly environment. The seats are ergonomically designed and offer ample support for long journeys, while the flexible seating configurations allow you to adapt the space for passengers or cargo effortlessly.
Cutting-Edge Infotainment and Connectivity
The centerpiece of the ID. Buzz’s tech-savvy cabin is its 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which provides seamless access to navigation, entertainment, and vehicle settings. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring smartphone integration is effortless. Additional tech features include a customizable digital driver display and a head-up display for essential driving information. Multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad ensure all devices stay powered during your trips, enhancing the overall connectivity experience.
Advanced Safety and Driver-Assistance Technology
Safety is a top priority in the ID. Buzz, with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features designed to keep you and your passengers protected. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking. Optional upgrades such as a 360-degree camera system and semi-autonomous driving capabilities further enhance safety. These technologies work seamlessly to provide peace of mind on the road, making the ID. Buzz an excellent choice for families and tech enthusiasts alike.
Performance and Range
EV Motor and Driving Power
Under the hood, the ID. Buzz is powered by a 91-kWh battery pack paired with an electric motor that delivers 282 horsepower. The result is a surprisingly peppy performance for a vehicle of its size. Its instant torque ensures a smooth and responsive driving experience, making city driving and highway merging effortless.
Acceleration and Speed Metrics
The ID. Buzz may not be a sports car, but it’s no slouch either. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 7.5 seconds, which is competitive for an electric minivan. While it’s designed more for comfort and practicality than speed, its brisk acceleration ensures a confident driving feel.
Electric Range and Efficiency
The ID. Buzz offers a range of up to 275 miles on a full charge, making it suitable for both urban commutes and longer road trips. This range places it among the top tier of electric vehicles in its class, offering peace of mind for drivers concerned about charging stops.
Charging Time and Battery Longevity
Fast-charging capabilities allow the battery to be replenished to 80% in just 30 minutes, minimizing downtime during longer journeys. At home, a Level 2 charger can fully recharge the ID. Buzz overnight. Volkswagen’s attention to battery longevity means the ID. Buzz’s power pack is designed to retain its capacity over years of use, backed by a solid warranty.
Real-World Energy Use
In real-world testing, the ID. Buzz achieves an estimated 98 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent), showcasing its efficiency as an electric vehicle. This efficiency translates into lower running costs compared to traditional gas-powered minivans, further enhancing its appeal.
The Practicality Factor
The ID. Buzz shines in terms of practicality. The configurable seating and ample cargo space make it incredibly versatile, whether you’re hauling kids, groceries, or camping gear. The sliding rear doors and low step-in height are thoughtful touches that enhance accessibility. Additionally, Volkswagen has equipped the ID. Buzz has a range of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and automated emergency braking.
The Problems with the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz
While the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz has garnered praise for its retro-inspired design and innovative electric drivetrain, it’s not without its shortcomings. A closer look reveals several areas where the ID. Buzz struggles to live up to its potential, leaving some buyers frustrated.
Overly Complicated Infotainment System
One of the most significant issues with the ID. Buzz is its infotainment system, which many users find overly complex and unintuitive. The system’s reliance on touch-sensitive controls instead of physical buttons has led to complaints about difficulty in adjusting settings on the go. For instance, adjusting the climate controls or toggling between driving modes requires navigating through several touchscreen menus, which can be distracting and cumbersome while driving. Volkswagen’s attempt to streamline the cabin’s design with a minimalist interface has inadvertently compromised user-friendliness.
Limited Cargo Capacity in Three-Row Configuration
Despite its spacious interior, the ID. Buzz falls short when it comes to cargo space in its three-row configuration. With all seats in use, the available storage area is notably limited, making it challenging for families to pack for longer trips. This limitation undermines the ID. Buzz’s appeal as a practical family vehicle, particularly when compared to traditional minivans that offer more generous cargo capacity.
High Starting Price
The ID. Buzz’s starting price of around $60,000 places it at the higher end of the EV market, making it less accessible to budget-conscious buyers. While its nostalgic design and electric powertrain may justify the cost for some, others may find it difficult to overlook the premium pricing, especially when competitors offer similar range and features at a lower cost. This pricing dilemma could limit the ID. Buzz’s appeal to a niche audience rather than the broader market Volkswagen might have hoped to capture.
Lack of All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
For a vehicle marketed as a versatile, adventure-ready minivan, the absence of an all-wheel-drive option is a notable drawback. AWD is a feature many buyers in colder climates or rugged terrains consider essential, and its omission makes the ID. Buzz less competitive against other EVs and minivans that offer it as standard or optional. Volkswagen has hinted at introducing AWD in future iterations, but for now, its absence is a significant oversight.
Limited Range for the Price
While a 275-mile range is respectable, it’s not groundbreaking in the current EV landscape. Several competitors offer similar or better range at a lower price point, making the ID. Buzz’s range less impressive when viewed in the context of its cost. For families planning long road trips, this range may still necessitate frequent charging stops, which can be inconvenient despite the vehicle’s fast-charging capabilities.
Overemphasis on Nostalgia
Finally, some critics argue that the ID. Buzz leans too heavily on its retro appeal, potentially alienating buyers who prioritize modernity and practicality over nostalgia. While the design is undeniably charming, it may not resonate with younger buyers who lack a personal connection to the original Microbus. Balancing retro aesthetics with contemporary functionality is a delicate act, and some feel Volkswagen’s focus on the former has come at the expense of the latter.
The Solution: Addressing Key Concerns
Volkswagen has the potential to turn the 2025 ID. Buzz into a true market leader by addressing its current shortcomings. Here’s how the automaker can make meaningful improvements:
Simplifying the Infotainment System
To resolve complaints about the overly complicated infotainment system, Volkswagen could reintroduce physical buttons for key functions like climate control and driving modes. A hybrid approach, combining touch controls with tactile buttons, would ensure usability without sacrificing the sleek, modern aesthetic of the cabin. Additionally, refining the software interface to make it more intuitive and reducing menu layers would go a long way in enhancing user satisfaction.
Enhancing Cargo Space
To make the ID. Buzz more practical for families, Volkswagen could explore innovative storage solutions, such as underfloor compartments or sliding rear seats. These features would allow for more flexible cargo configurations without compromising passenger comfort. Future iterations could also include a longer-wheelbase version with additional storage capacity, catering to buyers who need more space.
Offering AWD as an Option
Introducing an all-wheel-drive variant would significantly expand the ID. Buzz’s appeal, particularly in regions with harsh weather conditions or rugged terrain. Volkswagen has already hinted at the possibility of AWD in future versions, and making this a priority would address a significant buyer concern.
Reassessing Pricing Strategies
Volkswagen could consider offering a more affordable entry-level version of the ID. Buzz with fewer premium features. This would make the vehicle accessible to a broader audience while maintaining its core appeal. Alternatively, including more standard features at the current price point could help justify the cost to potential buyers.
Final Verdict
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a bold reimagining of a classic, blending retro aesthetics with modern technology to create a vehicle that is as functional as it is stylish. It’s a solid choice for those looking to make a statement while embracing the future of sustainable mobility. However, the steep price tag may give potential buyers pause, especially when more budget-friendly alternatives are available.
For those who can afford it, the ID. Buzz is more than just a vehicle—it’s a lifestyle statement, a nostalgic nod to the past, and a step forward into the electric future. If Volkswagen can address the pricing issue in future iterations, the ID. Buzz could easily become a dominant player in the EV space.
