Volkswagen ID. Buzz: The Microbus Returns Electric

After years of concept cars and teasers, the Volkswagen Microbus has officially returned to American roads. The 2025 VW ID. Buzz is here, and while it looks like the classic Type 2 “Samba” bus from the 1960s, the machinery underneath is entirely new. Volkswagen has replaced the noisy air-cooled engine with a powerful electric drivetrain and packed the interior with enough tech to rival a luxury SUV.

Designed for North America

Volkswagen made a strategic choice for the North American market. While Europe received a shorter, two-row version of the van in 2022, the US model is exclusively the Long Wheelbase (LWB) version. This is not a compact vehicle.

The US ID. Buzz measures 195.4 inches in length, which is nearly 10 inches longer than the European model. This extra length is dedicated entirely to passenger comfort and utility. It features three rows of seating as standard equipment, allowing room for seven passengers. If you opt for the second-row captain’s chairs, seating capacity changes to six, but you gain a walk-through center aisle that makes accessing the third row much easier.

This size places it in direct competition with three-row electric SUVs like the Kia EV9 and the Rivian R1S, though the Buzz offers a sliding door utility that those SUVs cannot match.

Power and Performance Specs

The nostalgic exterior hides a strictly modern powertrain. The 2025 ID. Buzz is built on Volkswagen’s MEB platform, which is the same architecture used for the ID.4 crossover and the Audi Q4 e-tron.

Buyers have two main powertrain options:

Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): This serves as the base model. It features a single rear-mounted motor producing 282 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. This is a massive upgrade from the double-digit horsepower numbers of the original bus.
All-Wheel Drive (4Motion): By adding a motor to the front axle, VW increases the output to 335 horsepower. This setup provides better traction in winter weather and drops the 0-60 mph time to just 6.0 seconds.

Battery and Range Realities

All US models are equipped with a 91 kWh (gross) battery pack. While this is a large battery, the boxy shape of the van impacts aerodynamic efficiency. The EPA-estimated range is:

RWD Models: Approximately 234 miles per charge.
AWD Models: Approximately 231 miles per charge.

While this range is sufficient for daily driving and moderate road trips, it falls slightly short of the 300-mile benchmark set by many modern competitors. However, the vehicle supports DC fast charging up to 200 kW. This allows you to charge from 10% to 80% in about 26 minutes at a compatible fast charger.

Pricing and Trim Levels

Nostalgia comes at a premium. The ID. Buzz is positioned as a semi-premium lifestyle vehicle rather than an economy work van.

Pro S (Starting at $59,995): The entry-level model is surprisingly well-equipped. It comes only in RWD and includes 20-inch wheels, a 12.9-inch infotainment screen, 30-color ambient lighting, and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats.
Pro S Plus (Starting at $63,495): This trim unlocks the option for AWD (an additional cost). It adds a 700-watt Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and the highly desirable electrochromic glass roof.
1st Edition (Starting at $65,495): This launch-only trim includes unique badging, special two-tone paint combinations, retro-inspired 20-inch wheels, and the specialized “dune” interior content.

Interior Tech and Features

The interior is where Volkswagen tries to bridge the gap between 1965 and 2025. The dashboard features a horizontal layout reminiscent of the original bus, but the controls are largely digital.

A 5.3-inch ID. Cockpit screen sits in front of the driver to show speed and navigation data, while the central 12.9-inch touchscreen handles media and climate. Volkswagen has updated the infotainment software to version 4.0, which addresses many of the lag issues found in earlier ID.4 models.

One of the standout features available on the Pro S Plus and 1st Edition is the panoramic smart glass roof. This massive glass panel is 67.4 inches long and features electrochromic tinting. With a swipe of a finger on a touch panel near the rearview mirror, the glass switches from transparent to opaque instantly, eliminating the need for a physical sunshade.

Storage is also clever. The center console, known as the “Buzz Box,” includes dividers that double as an ice scraper and a bottle opener. The entire box can be unlatched and removed completely if you need to pass through from the front seats to the rear.

Colors and Customization

Part of the appeal of the ID. Buzz is the aesthetic. Volkswagen offers a standard palette, but the two-tone paint options are the real draw. For an additional $995, buyers can select classic combinations like Candy White top paired with Energetic Orange, Pomelo Yellow, or Cabana Blue on the bottom.

Interior themes depend on the exterior color but generally include light, airy materials. VW uses recycled synthetics rather than real leather, aligning with the eco-friendly branding of the ID. lineup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the ID. Buzz qualify for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit? Because the ID. Buzz is manufactured in Hanover, Germany, it does not currently qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit for purchases. However, there is a loophole involving leasing where the credit may be passed to the consumer as a capital cost reduction, depending on current laws and dealer participation.

Can the seats be removed for cargo or camping? The third-row seats can be removed entirely, though they are heavy. The second-row seats fold flat but cannot be easily removed by the owner. However, when both rows are folded, they create a massive flat load floor that is suitable for sleeping or hauling large items.

Is there a camper version like the old Westfalia? Volkswagen is not currently selling a factory camper in the US. However, aftermarket companies like Peace Vans are already developing kitchen units and bed systems that fit specifically into the US Long Wheelbase model.

How fast does it charge at home? On a Level 2 home charger (240V), the ID. Buzz has an 11 kW onboard charger. This will charge the battery from empty to 100% in roughly 7.5 to 9 hours, easily providing a full “tank” overnight.