Is the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz a Good Minivan EV? 5 Pros, 3 Cons

Key Points

• Cars.com editors liked the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz for its cavernous interior, tech features, pleasant driving experience and unique appeal.
• However, editors did not appreciate its limited range, underwhelming power and expensive price.

With the launch of the 2025 ID. Buzz, Volkswagen reentered the minivan market it helped create decades ago, bringing a spacious, stylish and funky take on the body style with electric power and a distinctly retro vibe.

Related: 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Review: This Sparks Joy

Offering a huge, comfortable and cleverly thought-out interior with room for up to seven occupants, the ID. Buzz gives families plenty of room to stretch out in a distinctively styled vehicle unlike anything else on the road. It’s also in a class of its own, being the only electric minivan currently available.

Cars.com West Coast Editor Conner Golden attended the launch event for the ID. Buzz and came away more impressed than he expected to be. Tap the link above for his expert review, or below, read on for a quick look at five things we like about the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and three things we do not.

What Do We Like About the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz?

1. Loads of Room

A cavernous and cleverly designed interior is the ID. Buzz’s strong suit, with plenty of room to stretch out regardless of row. Headroom is better than in any other minivan, while large windows and an available electrochromic glass roof panel add to the open, airy feel. An abundance of thoughtful storage solutions include various shelves and nooks throughout the cabin, along with the Buzz Box, a removable center console with assorted drawers and compartments.

2. Big Tech

Tech features include a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted high in the center of the dash. Running the latest version of VW’s software, the system is an improvement over earlier incarnations but can still be frustrating to use. Touch-sensitive volume and climate controls are not our favorites, but they work well enough once you get used to them.

3. Upscale Touches

As much as the ID Buzz evokes the look and vibe of its forebears, it thankfully foregoes the more spartan accommodations of the original VW bus for a more upscale look and feel. The interior look and feel is closer to what you’d expect in an Audi, with high-quality materials, nicely stitched upholstery and solid build quality throughout. A generous set of standard features includes a heated steering wheel, three-zone automatic climate control, and heated and ventilated 12-way power massaging front seats. You’ll also find more than enough power outlets in all three rows.

4. Enjoyable Driver

The ID. Buzz is surprisingly entertaining to drive for a vehicle weighing around 3 tons thanks in part to its battery mounted under the floor and the resultant low center of gravity. Our test vehicle felt much more at home than expected on the twisty Pacific Coast Highway, with responsive steering and more nicely balanced regenerative brakes. Ride quality is impressive, with good bump isolation and well-controlled body motions.

5. Dare to Be Different

A key part of the ID.Buzz appeal is simply the way it stands out in a crowd. Combining minivan practicality with a look and style like nothing else, it’s a vehicle that makes people smile and will likely become an iconic shape in its own right. That in itself will likely be enough to make some buyers pull the trigger — just be prepared for a conversation whenever you stop.

Read More About the Volkswagen ID. Buzz From Cars.com:

• How Well Do 2025 Minivans Perform in Crash Tests?
• Which EVs Have All-Wheel Drive?
• 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo Room: Is It as Good as an SUV or Minivan?
• 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Vs. 2024 Kia EV9: Cold-Weather Efficiency Test
• How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz?

What Do We Dislike About the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz?

1. Limited Range

Base models are powered by a single electric motor driving the rear wheels and good for 282 horsepower and 413 pounds-feet of torque. Opting for the all-wheel-drive 4Motion model gets you a second motor driving the front wheels and a total of 335 hp. Both powertrains use a 91-kilowatt-hour battery that can DC fast-charge at up to 200 kilowatts. Range is not ideal for extended road trips, with base single-motor models good for just 234 miles of range. Dual-motor versions are rated at 231 miles.

2. Short on Power

With around 3 tons of minivan to haul around, the ID. Buzz is not exactly a rocket sled no matter which powertrain you choose. Acceleration is only slightly better than adequate even with the more powerful dual-motor powertrain. The electric powertrain delivers quick response, and there’s enough juice on tap for merging and passing, but not much left in reserve.

3. Pricey Proposition

With a starting price north of $60,000 including destination, the ID. Buzz doesn’t come cheap. It is, however, unquestionably unique in an era of virtually indistinguishable SUVs, and that in itself adds to the appeal. For buyers looking for an electrically powered minivan, there’s no other choice. For everyone else, it becomes a question of whether its unique appeal is enough to offset its limited range and cost of entry.

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