THE VOLKSWAGEN ID. BUZZ
A BLAST FROM THE PAST
21st Century Van Life Gets All Spiffy
There’s an unexpected bonus to driving the new 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz “bus,” for anywhere you go, people flash you a peace sign, give a cheery honk and wave or actually stop you when parked to ask all about it. That’s not what usually happens when driving a vehicle in the “minivan” class, but this VW is a blast from the past, and people love it.
For it hearkens back to the classic Volkswagen Bus, first manufactured in 1950 and the first van ever produced. Sold in the USA by the German car manufacturer until 2003, the “Type 2 Microbus” had its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s, when it became a symbol of surfers and hippies everywhere, as well as the vehicle of choice for big families.
These days, the ID. Buzz has a stylish design that’s very 21st century yet still hearkens back to the original. The all-electric Buzz retains the distinctive front-end look, with the engine in the rear, as well as those big sliding side doors (the Buzz has them on both sides) and lots of interior room. The roof is high, as are the front seats, and the large windshield offers expansive views of the road ahead, just like the original.
Of course, this 21st-century version is much more comfortable than the old Bus, with captain’s seats in the front row and bench seats for the second and third (with the option of second row captain’s seats as well). Both bench back seats fold down for added storage and the third can be completely removed to create 145.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
The two-tone color scheme is kept intact, but on the modern version the main hue really pops against the white top section. Depending on the ID. Buzz version, buyers can choose metallic colors like pomelo yellow, cabana blue, energetic orange or cherry red; all call attention to this spiffy ride. Interiors can be colors called Moonlight, Copper and Dune, and they too can reflect the two-tone look, if desired.
Beyond its retro cool look, the ID. Buzz has lots to like. Those two side doors slide open and closed by using the key fob or giving the handle a slight pull and there’s an optional sunroof that lets light flood into the cab (or dims the glass if it’s too bright).
With Wi-Fi, a wireless charging station to charge phones and Sirius XM for your favorite tunes, played on an optional Harmon Kardon 13-speaker system, it’s easy to call this the Party Bus.
We’re not fans of the heated steering wheel, but perhaps when winter comes, that attitude will change. The front seats heat up too, and cool as well and the active blind-spot indicator is invaluable for highway driving.
And the most important thing to know before you take off on a road trip is that (like many other electric cars), you don’t control the on-off ignition nor the locking. As you carry the keyless fob and get close to the Buzz, it unlocks and lights up. Then once in the driver’s seat, you just push the brake and it starts up, quietly humming and ready to roll. When leaving the car, you simply put it in park and the system says “Goodbye” and turns off the engine as you exit. We always hit “lock” as we walked away, but it didn’t seem necessary, as this vehicle seems to control it all.
That’s because it is rated to get 230 miles per full charge, which is something you never once get when traveling and using public chargers. Instead, the best we got was about 190, which meant that it could not do three hours of highway driving, as it sucks away the charge going at speed or up hills. Having to repeatedly stop and charge up for at least 35 minutes meant a lot of wasted time, which happened consistently on our test road trip.
So, if your goal in getting a VW ID. Buzz is to use it close to home to cart around kids, sports teams or a gaggle of friends all needing rides to a local event, it’s a winner. But if you like to get up and go to new places that aren’t out the back door, this groovy bus may not quite be your dream drive. Maybe in a few years they will get those mileage numbers up? If that happens, then this may just fulfill its promise of being the next generation’s coolest VW Fun Bus.
So, if your goal in getting a VW ID. Buzz is to use it close to home to cart around kids, sports teams or a gaggle of friends all needing rides to a local event, it’s a winner. But if you like to get up and go to new places that aren’t out the back door, this groovy bus may not quite be your dream drive. Maybe in a few years they will get those mileage numbers up? If that happens, then this may just fulfill its promise of being the next generation’s coolest VW Fun Bus.
For more information about the Volkswagen ID: Buzz go to VW.com
For more information about the Volkswagen ID: Buzz go to VW.com