Retro Soul, Modern Family: 5 Things That Make the 2025 VW ID. Buzz the Ultimate Peace-and-Love People Mover

The 2025 VW ID. Buzz is a living example of an automaker using the past to define the future. Here's what my family and I enjoyed the most.

Natalie Merola And Her Family With The 2025 Vw Id. Buzz
Saying "my family had a blast with the Buzz" is a severe understatementCredit: Natalie Merola

When you think of the VW Bus, it brings a smile to your face. I’d bet you have a family member with a wild VW Bus story. I remember the first time I saw a VW bus as a kid and fell in love with the styling. After almost 50 years since the last model year, the 2025 VW ID. Buzz is a fresh, modern take on a brand heritage favorite. The best from the past is factored in, utilizing the best modern tech.

For instance, there’s room for up to 7 passengers, adding to the excitement of family adventures. During my time with the VW ID. Buzz, I had friends and family asking what it was like to drive it around town. I couldn’t believe how much my family and I smiled while driving and underestimated how many times we’d find ourselves waving to people who were equally as excited to see us on the way.

The price range is almost as impressive as the choices in exterior color. The base trim, the Pro S, starts at $59,995, and the AWD 1st Edition starts at $69,995, putting it directly up against the Kia EV9 and the Hyundai Ioniq 9. Unlike the Bus from the 1960s and 1970s, the ID. Buzz can be configured with AWD. Here are my top 5 reasons why the 2025 VW ID. Buzz Pro S, a 3-row bus, could give your family aura points and fit into your family’s needs in every row.

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.

1. The VW ID. Buzz is Old School and New School in All the Right Ways

The 2025 Vw Id. Buzz And A Vintage Vw Bus
The ID. Buzz I reviewed was black, but I couldn’t pass up this photo op – Credit: Natalie Merola

Did you notice that “Buzz” sounds a lot like “Bus”? That was intentional on VW’s part, as they took our favorite bus, saw an opportunity to play on the name, and went with it. You can tell they took several notes from the design language of the ’60s and ’70s. The outside styling gives the bus its signature character from its large windshield with rain-sensing windshield wipers, crisp LED headlights, and adaptive front lighting system, dynamic cornering lights that also fold, illuminated VW badge upfront, and grille to match the body color.

The 20-inch tires look like the modern version of the old school bus wheels with the rounded, shiny ones from the past. And with customization, you can select which color options match your vibe. The sleek, black VW ID. Buzz Pro S I reviewed gave goth, rocker chick vibes. The Pro S is also available in candy white and metro silver metallic.

We ran errands, went to a video game con, and traveled to and from a work event, so having this iconic bus for these memories aligned perfectly with our needs to load in and out effortlessly with all the things, too. I loved the cute and stylish aesthetic of this electric bus, and I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed driving it on the highway, too.

READ MORE: We Drove Every Ultra Luxury SUV From the VW Group—Audi, Porsche, Bentley and Lambo. Which is Best?

2. Driving the Spunky ID. Buzz Made My Family and Me Feel Like Royals

The Exterior Of The 2025 Vw Id. Buzz With Car Seats Installed
VW was smart to make the original hippie-mobile electric – Credit: Natalie Merola

I was impressed by how much power and efficiency you get with a rear-wheel drive electric bus. I drove the Pro S, which is rear-wheel drive only, and I saw an average of 75 miles per kWh on the highway and 90 in the city. When driving to and from events, errands with my son and dog in the back, and just hanging out to catch some views of the skyline, the VW ID. Buzz packed a punch with its acceleration and 282 horsepower.

Nothing to scoff at here, especially when you’re getting the princess treatment for simply existing as a driver of the VW Bus’s heir. We felt like celebrities because everyone wanted to smile, wave, and look at the VW ID. Buzz wherever we drove. Other VWs on the road would merge over and let us go ahead, or merge into their lane. It’s like having a VIP pass in life, but with the coolest car fans. 

Despite living somewhere where I could benefit from the all-wheel drive, the acceleration and overall power impressed me for a rear-wheel drive option. It only snows a few days a year here in Texas, so be mindful of which option might be best for you, depending on where you live and your daily drive.

Even if you find yourself around those who aren’t offering to merge over or be polite to let you merge, it is not a problem at all to accelerate around slower drivers without batting an eye. My family loved that we could charge it and explore neighboring cities with a round-trip total 230-miles.

READ MORE: Which Volkswagen SUV is Right for You? Here’s How the VW Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan and Taos Line Up

3. Modern Features and Tech Amplified The Experience as Both Driver and Passenger

The Interior Of The 2025 Vw Id. Buzz
We had plenty of space for our son, the dog, and then some – Credit: Natalie Merola

This bus gives a luxurious touch to the family drive with the moonlight, almost navy interior with V-Tex leatherette. And it has an understated, yet refined interior that exemplifies how intelligent minimalist interiors can be with mindful and functional, removable storage, climate control, easy access to go in and out of the second and third row, as well as customizable seat 60/40 second row split and 50/50 third row folding for more storage on the go.

With so much space between you and your passengers in the back two rows, it’s easily a quiet cabin in the city and highway. And even if your passengers are loud, you can calm them down with the air vents and crank up the music on the 9-speaker sound system. Since pink is not an interior option, I brought some of my favorites from home to add a bit of my personality to the drive. I love seeing the older buses at car meets and how fans add their personal touch to the collectibles and decor.

For interior seating, we’re loving the ventilated, heated, and 12-way power adjustable functionality in the front seats. (Even the steering wheel is heated.) And the easter egg on the brake and acceleration stainless steel pedals have the play and pause symbols on them, so you can pause the fun when you’re braking and press play when you’re driving.

And with the multicolor, adjustable ambient lighting throughout, it can match your outfit or vibe. It’s really up to you and the family, but I know if you’re like me, it’s going to be pink. If you’re going to be driving around your whole family, the massage feature makes the long haul and short commutes that much sweeter.

READ MORE: We Went for a Spin in VW’s ID. Buzz Electric Van, and We Can Hardly Wait for It!

4. No Transmission Tunnel Translates to Tons of Space

My Family And I In The 2025 Vw Id. Buzz
Both my son and our dog loved riding in the spacious Buzz – Credit: Natalie Merola

We love the story behind how the Kong chew toy came to life, where an aggressive chewer found comfort with a VW part. And ever since, it’s become a staple for pet lovers and their furry ones. My pup could not wait to bring his new favorite toy with him into the ID. Buzz and settled into the second row without any guidance.

The ground clearance was perfect for my son and dog alike to get in, and ready for a drive to our favorite park. There is ample space in the second and third row, and the cargo space is a little smaller than we’re used to there when the third row is up: 18.6 cubic feet. However, we found it easier to pack our favorite things nearby in the second and third row, especially when we want snacks and must-haves within reach. If you have both rows down, you can get a maximum of 145.5 cubic feet of cargo space. It depends on what you need.

How many car seats can you fit into the ID. Buzz? You can LATCH with both lower anchors and upper tethers for all rear seats. However, the middle seat is a bit narrow. With this 7-seater, since the second row had the bench instead of the captain’s chairs, your kids and pup (or pups) can decide which row is best for their car ride. Typically, our dog likes to sit in the third row, but in the ID. Buzz, it was all about the second row and his Kong. My son loved the adjustable climate control to stay cool and the remote power doors to control getting in and out of the second row with ease.

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

5. All the Tech You Need for Both Big and Little Adventures

The Driver And Passenger'S Seat Of The 2025 Vw Id. Buzz
I loved the tech-forward yet fairly simple driver’s – Credit: Natalie Merola

It’s a smart bus, so let the tech speak for itself: the 12.9-inch multimedia system is centered and the perfect size for easy access for both you and your passenger while not distracting you from those scenic driving views. With a standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Volkswagen ID. Cockpit digital display, illuminated touch sliders like on the ID. 4 and Tiguan, and safety and driving assistance features made it a totally immersive experience to enjoy the drive while keeping your family safe.

The USB-C charging ports in all three rows add to the luxurious ambience to stay connected and keep everyone entertained within reach. This makes it a lot easier as a mom, so I am not constantly passing the cable back. With a tech-focused experience from the first to third row, heated and ventilated seats, and customizable seat folding for additional cargo space, I think this is the new, luxe version of your mom’s hippie van. And we’re so here for this electric bus on the open road.

READ MORE: The 2025 VW Tiguan Got a Makeover, But Could It Possibly Get Better?

The VW ID. Buzz Proves the Practicality Can Meet Style and Comfort in the Middle

The Front End Of The 2025 Vw Id. Buzz
There was so much nostalgia packed into a modern package – Credit: Natalie Merola

The 2025 VW ID. Buzz Pro S delivers on ample range around town, safety, and driver assistance features like I.Q. Drive with lane assist and adaptive cruise control. You need to be safe and keep the entertainment and necessities charged. As tested, this 2025 VW ID. Buzz Pro S is $61,545. And just because it is a family vehicle does not mean it cannot be luxurious.

Your dog, husband, and kids will thank you for turning the music up, leaning into the tech, and sitting back and enjoying the road trip or daily drive together with everything you need. Now, if only I could take this on a cross-country road trip. Time to plan with my husband with this electric 3-row bus and its massaging front seats in mind.

I'm Natalie "Kitty" Merola. I'm a cool mom who loves fabulous style + beauty accessories, fast cars, video games, ... More about Natalie Merola
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