VW ID Buzz First Drive: This 3-row 7 Passenger *Bus* Means No More Boring Family Cars

Taking In The View From The 2025 Vw Id Buzz With Fellow Traveler Jamie Kitman
Jamie Kitman and I taking in the view from the 2025 VW ID BuzzCredit: Scotty Reiss

One of my earliest memories is climbing into our green and white 1967 VW Bus, smelling the plastic seats and floor mats that became even more fragrant as the car heated up. I loved that I could see out all of the widows—there were no head rests to block the view. The windshield was a window to the world

The wide rear benches gave my brothers and I plenty of room to climb around, though my dad installed seat belts and insisted we wear them while the car was moving, as much for our safety as for keeping us from bothering him while he was driving. These feelings come flooding back  touring the all-electric VW ID Buzz, the revival of the original, which is (finally) making its debut.

What I remember but won’t be reminded of is the whir and gurgle of the motor; the sound of an old VW engine is iconic. Unlike most cars, the engine sat under the rear floor and took up a lot of space; there wasn’t actually all that much room for luggage or groceries. And, when my dad added motor oil or made a repair, the car smelled like grease. All that is gone; while the electric motor in the VW ID Buzz is in the rear, it doesn’t take up passenger space and no grease is required. 

Video: We toured the VW ID Buzz: Don’t call it a minivan!

This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used. Additionally, I was VW’s guest for this test drive though all opinions are my own.

The OG Van Gets a New Life 

All The 2025 Vw Id Buzzes On Lombard Street In San Francisco
Credit: Beverly Braga for Scotty Reiss

Old Vs. New: What the 2025 VW ID Buzz is All About

The Cabin Is Wide And Open In The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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What Else Adds to the Charm of the VW ID Buzz?

The View From The Driver'S Seat In The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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It’s Cute, But Is It Smart? 

Charging The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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Is it Boring Behind the Wheel?

The Hd Rear View Camera In The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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Seating Options And 3rd Row Access: It’s All Super Easy

Rear Seats Slide And Tilt For 3Rd Row Access In The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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Configuring Kids Car Seats: The Buzz Makes This Easy 

Center Row Captains Chairs In The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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Folding and Removable Rear Seats For Cargo or … Camping? 

The Cargo Area In The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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Yes, There Will Be Accessories 

The Side Of The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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What I Hope VW Will Fix

The Front Dashboard Has Lots Of Storage In The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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What The VW ID Buzz Costs

The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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For A Bit More, Get a Lot More

I Love The Wide Step Into The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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Options Drive Up The Price of the 2025 VW ID Buzz — But Not a Lot 

The Flat Rear Floor In The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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What We Loved

The Hd Rear View Camera In The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
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What You Need to Know 

This Center Console Is Removable In The 2025 Vw Id Buzz
Credit: Scotty Reiss

How the VW ID Buzz Compares to Other 3-row Family Cars

The Steering Wheel And Driver Display In The Vw Id Buzz
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Journalist, entrepreneur and mom. Expertise includes new cars, family cars, 3-row SUVs, child passenger car seats and automotive careers... More about Scotty Reiss

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