A Week With: 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S 4Motion

After nearly 25 years of telling us “It’s coming,” Volkswagen finally began stocking U.S. showrooms with the contemporary version of the iconic Volkswagen T Series bus. And after a more than two decade wait, we spent a week in it.

The new model offers the feel-good vibes; however, unlike the concept shown at the North American Auto Show in January 2001, the production model is an EV. With a history going all the way back to 1950, the T series Volkswagen holds the distinction of being the best-selling van in history. Some 12 million examples were built over its original lifespan from 1950 to 2003.

As such, a vast majority of the people currently inhabiting the planet recognizes — and has fond associations — with VW’s minivan. Thus, the week I spent with the Candy White over Pomelo Yellow 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S 4Motion was one in which countless numbers of strangers felt perfectly comfortable approaching me to recount stories of their personal experiences with Volkswagen’s minivan — all of them ending with; “So, how do you like this one?”

Powertrains and fuel economy

As this was the all-wheel drive (AWD) version of the ID. Buzz, a pair of electric motors supplied motivation through a one-speed automatic transmission. Up front was an AC induction unit, good for 107 horsepower and 99 lb-ft of torque.

At the rear was a permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, capable of delivering 282 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. This gave the ID. Buzz 4Motion a total system output of 335 hp. VW also offers a 282-hp rear-drive version, with no motor at the front wheels.

Energy was stored in an 86 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack. The peak DC fast charge rate was 200 kW. According to the EPA, the ID. Buzz 4Motion is good for 80 MPGe overall, 87 in the city and 74 on the highway.

The best range number I saw over my week with the VW EV was 231 miles on a full charge. According to the VW’s spec sheet, you can expect it to charge to 80% from 10% in 26 minutes. It’s also said to pick up 79 miles of range in 10 minutes on a DC fast charger.

Interior accommodations

Light, airy and spacious sum up the interior experience afforded me by the ID. Buzz. What’s more, owing to the electric powertrain, the floor was perfectly flat, which made the VW feel even more spacious. Enhancing the openness was an interior treatment upholstered in a creamy off white and tan color scheme.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, the design team adopted a minimalist approach to the interior, which also imbued it with a concept car vibe. To say the overall effect was contemporary would be an understatement.

Offering three rows of seating, “my” ID. Buzz had captain’s chairs in the second row and another pair of seats in the third row. This gave the VW the ability to seat six, all of whom would enjoy more than adequate head-, shoulder-, hip- and legroom.

What’s more, accessing the third row of seats was easily accomplished, thanks to the aforementioned flat floor, working in concert with more than adequate headroom and electrically actuated sliding doors on both sides of the VW.

Some 19 cubic feet of cargo capacity was available behind the third row. According to the spec sheet, that goes up to 76 cubic feet with the third row folded and 146 with both the second and third rows folded. Opening the rear hatch, I found a handy cargo shelf with a pair of storage bins situated underneath it.

Convenience and safety tech

My 4Motion Pro S ID. Buzz was outfitted with a head-up display, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and an electrochromic variable tint roof that obscured or admitted daylight at the touch of a button. In a modern take on the old Type 2 VW bus, the view forward from the driver’s position was both expansive and unfettered with extraneousness.

Behind the steering wheel resided a 5.3-inch display tasked with keeping tabs on the VW’s operating parameters. The linear design of the dash endured but one interruption — for a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment interface within which all comfort and convenience functions were accessed. The central portion of the dash housed but four buttons, three of which operated the side doors. The fourth triggered the four-way flashers.

Driver’s aids included semi-autonomous driving assistance, smart cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert. “My” Pro S-trimmed VW also featured a 360-degree camera system.

Driving impressions

One of the “charms” of the old school Type 2 VW Transporters were their sheer and utter nonchalance when it came to speed. Accelerating from zero to 60 took 36 seconds. You’d eventually achieve a rousing top speed of 65 mph, if you kept your foot in it.

However, as the saying goes; “That was then — this is now.” According to the folks at VW, my 335 hp AWD ID. Buzz was capable of accelerating to 60 from rest in just under six seconds, and running the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds at 92 mph. The VW minivan, I’m told, was governed to a top speed of 101 miles per hour. Still, all of this is pretty impressive when you consider the ID. Buzz was hauling around over 6,000 pounds of curb weight.

Another pleasant surprise was the agility it displayed. Granted, the steering could have provided more feedback, but it was both responsive and accurate. Throttle response was outstanding and the ID. Buzz could be configured for one-pedal driving, which I’ve always found to be a delight when driving EVs.

Lift off the throttle gradually — you’ll slow gradually. Lift abruptly and it’s almost the same as standing on the brakes. This adds a whole new skill set to driving. Time things just right and you seldom need the brake pedal.

Wind noise at speed was minimal, as was tire noise. These tend to stand out more in EVs because there is no engine noise to mitigate them. Here though, the VW’s engineering team went to great lengths to keep them to a minimum. Thus, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is quick, quiet, comfortable and handles with confidence.

In summary

With all of that said, the ID. Buzz isn’t going to be a volume seller for VW — nor was it ever intended to be. Its affable appearance is calculated to attract more buyers into VW showrooms, which in a way makes the ID. Buzz something of a first in the contemporary auto industry. After all, what other manufacturer can say its minivan is a halo product?

So, to answer the culminating question of every conversation I had with strangers during my week with the ID. Buzz — I like it, a lot.

Pricing starts at $59,995.