Iconic design, two-tone paint, three rows, AWD; no matter you name it, the Buzz received’t be low-cost.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz electrical minivan has been coming to North America for an extended, lengthy time. The idea for an all-EV reboot of the traditional Sort 2 Microbus appeared in 2016 and was confirmed for production in August 2017. It’s been on sale in Europe for a yr, as has the Cargo commercial-van variant. At a media preview Thursday, we lastly obtained a have a look at the model that’ll come to the U.S. and Canadian markets within the second half of subsequent yr.
It’s longer than the one offered in Europe, has a real third row of seats, a bigger battery and a extra highly effective motor, and accessible all-wheel drive. That places it squarely into the nascent phase of mass-market 3-row electrical household utilities. Ford, Hyundai, Kia, and GM will all launch automobiles into that phase over the following couple of years. Now we all know VW will be part of them.
VW specs Buzz for North America
For nearly a decade now, VW’s North American outpost has had extra say in improvement of the merchandise it sells than it traditionally did. First, the Tiguan small sport-utility launched in 2018 arrived on the U.S. market solely in a long-wheelbase model, VW of America having determined the usual European mannequin was simply too small. That put it squarely in competitors with phase leaders Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Then VW launched the U.S.-built Atlas 3-row SUV, a car massive sufficient that North America shall be its single largest market.
So the U.S. has waited for a model of the ID.Buzz that VW of America feels is best suited to our market. Which means a higher-capacity battery pack (91 kilowatt-hours of whole capability, of which 85 kWh is usable, versus 82 kWh whole within the European two-row), in a car that’s 10 inches longer. Virtually all the added size comes solely between the axles, giving room for each the bigger battery and a correct third row of seats.
An up to date permanent-magnet rear motor is extra highly effective (282 hp vs 201 hp), with most torque of 406 pound-feet. Stronger everlasting magnets within the rotor have greater capability for thermal load, stator wires have greater cross-section and simpler turns, and coolant that mixes oil and water affords extra means to shed warmth. The mixture collectively boosts not solely energy and torque, but in addition power effectivity. VW quotes a most charging price of 170 kilowatts, and DC quick charging from 10 to 80 p.c of battery capability in about 20 minutes (beneath perfect circumstances).
All-wheel drive shall be accessible from launch, with whole energy of “about 330 hp,” VW mentioned, giving a 0-to-60-mph acceleration time of 5.7 seconds. The 20-inch wheels have been aerodynamically optimized for low drag. VW says the three-row ID.Buzz has a drag coefficient of simply 0.29—not dangerous for a car with the profile of a 16-foot-long, 6-foot-high backyard shed.
Iconic options, a lot of ‘em
The massive ‘VW’ brand on the entrance, maybe the only most iconic visible indicator, is illuminated (a function many European patrons might remorse is prohibited beneath EU rules). The biggest glass roof VW has ever provided, greater than 67 inches lengthy and nearly 41 inches vast, incorporates a liquid crystal layer that’s opaque till it’s powered, when it turns into translucent. The accelerator and brake pedals have laptop “play” and “pause” symbols on them, and different Buzz easter eggs are scattered all through the car.
The distinctive attention-grabbing two-tone paint therapies are optionally available, harkening immediately again to the Deluxe Microbuses of the early and mid Sixties. Eight paint colours embody vibrant tones—Pomelo Yellow, Energetic Orange, Mahi Blue—in addition to the inevitable silver and charcoal. Three inside combos are provided: darkish brown and black, mild gray and clay, and light-weight brown and gray. Every has a special colour of contrasting piping, and a special wood-look tone. Two trim ranges shall be provided, although the specifics of every will wait til nearer to launch.
In contrast to the unique Microbus, the ID.Buzz has sliding doorways on either side. Each are powered, as is the tailgate. Different energy options embody normal 12-way heated and ventilated seats for the motive force and entrance passenger, together with twin armrests and therapeutic massage; heated steering wheel, mirrors, and outboard second-row seats; and an accessible heated windshield. The 60-40 cut up again remainder of the second row will be adjusted for rake, and the 3-position second row may also be changed with captain’s chairs if solely six seats are wanted. The third row will be eliminated solely.
A 14-speaker Harmon Kardon premium audio system is obtainable, however for passengers utilizing their very own gadgets, the Buzz consists of wi-fi charging, no fewer than eight USB-C ports, 12-volt charging within the rear load bay, and a 120-volt outlet beneath the entrance passenger seat.
Volkswagen continues to revise its much-criticized infotainment system, including a direct-access operate on the left of the 12.9-inch heart touchscreen show to provide one-touch entry to the primary menu. Different revisions primarily based on suggestions from ID.4 customers embody faster entry to automobile management capabilities and illumination for sure haptic slider controls.
Canada will obtain the identical long-wheelbase ID.Buzz as the USA, albeit with devices in metric, however that market will get two further modifications. First, a two-row model (with a really lengthy load bay) shall be provided in that nation solely. Second, a warmth pump for extra environment friendly cabin heating shall be provided as an possibility, as it’s in the present day on ID.4s offered in Canada.
No matter it’s, it received’t be low-cost
Defining the ID.Buzz as a car is troublesome. On one hand, it’s a retro re-creation of a beloved vehicular icon from a Boomer previous. That places it within the firm of the VW New Beetle, the Mini Cooper, and maybe the Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chevrolet HHR. Lots of these automobiles have been enormously fashionable at the beginning, however gross sales dwindled quick after two or three years.
However, it’s a minivan with sliding aspect doorways. From a peak in about 2000, this phase has stabilized at a low stage with only some gamers (Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Kia). VW hasn’t had any form of boxy van-like car for a few many years, so it’s successfully a brand new entrant.
Frankly, if it might get the amount, Volkswagen would most likely need the ID.Buzz to compete within the “three-row household crossover” class. It’s obtained seven seats, a versatile inside, and accessible AWD. Whereas it doesn’t have SUV floor clearance, the driving place is excessive sufficient—4 inches greater than that of the Atlas 3-row SUV—to provide that utility-vehicle feeling.
No matter it’s, U.S. gross sales of the ID.Buzz received’t begin till the second half of subsequent yr, and VW received’t announce pricing till a lot nearer to that point. It additionally mentioned nothing on predicted EPA vary scores. Given the excessive stage of ordinary gear on all Buzz variants, although, it doubtless received’t be low-cost. The beginning worth might effectively be near $60,000—and it received’t qualify for federal EV-purhcase tax incentives, as a result of it’s imported from the manufacturing facility that makes all ID.Buzz variants in Hanover, Germany. It does qualify for a $7,500 incentive if leased, nonetheless.
For VW, the mission of the ID.Buzz is just not a lot to promote within the volumes of its Atlas and Tiguan, however to function a cool, immediately recognizable “halo car” to prime the vary and draw consumers into showrooms for a glance. Given a most world manufacturing capability of 100,000 for all markets, Volkswagen ought to simply discover 20,000 or 30,000 patrons to purchase the ID.Buzz at any worth.
Plenty of buzz
Nonetheless, the ID.Buzz will add an instantaneous sprint of pleasure and retro cool to Volkswagen’s EV lineup. It’ll be the third electrical VW offered within the States, after the ID.4 compact SUV now constructed within the firm’s plant in Chattanooga, alongside the gasoline Atlas 3-row SUV. The recently revealed ID.7 sedan will arrive within the second half of 2024 as effectively, however the Buzz would be the lineup’s halo automobile.
Count on a barrage of Buzz-focused media as that date will get nearer. The electrical Microbus reboot nonetheless garners an enormous quantity of consideration among the many public and the media. It attracts crowds and approving feedback when proven in public or at auto exhibits, helped by vibrant colours and that two-tone therapy.
How fashionable was the idea? In 2017, I obtained an opportunity to drive the concept vehicle for 20 minutes alongside the waterfront in Monterey, California. We hardly drove anyplace with out seeing telephones raised and onlookers pointing. One lady was so entranced she adopted the idea at a quick run—right into a parking zone and immediately by means of the center of a video shoot—to ask about it.
Nothing else offered in the present day, EV or in any other case, appears to be like even remotely just like the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. If that 2017 fascination lasts, the brand new electrical Microbus might show a success for VW. Now we simply should be taught when it’ll present up, how far it’ll go, and what it prices.
Volkswagen offered airfare, lodging, and meals to allow Charged EVs to carry you this first-person information report.
