Occasionally, I get to test a car that makes people happy. I haven’t felt that happy lately, and when I saw the new Volkswagen ID.Buzz on my press loaner schedule, I admit I smiled a bit. The Pomelo Yellow electric bus was a welcome distraction from the hellscape of 2025. I don’t think I was prepared for just how many people would point and smile at it during my week of testing. Let’s find out if delivers enough smiles to be worth its $60K+ price tag.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Overview
The ID.Buzz draws inspiration from the nostalgia of the 1960s Volkswagen Type 2 van. However, the “Buzz” (vs “bus”) is significantly larger. It measures nearly 27 inches longer, over ten inches wider, and has a wheelbase almost three feet longer than the original. The first time you see one in person, it’s striking how much bigger it is than expected (name of your sex tape!).
Trim levels aren’t drastically different from other VW electric vehicles. You can start with the base Pro S, or ramp up to the midrange Pro S Plus, or Pro S Plus with 4MOTION all-wheel-drive. There are also a couple of “1st Editions” to choose from if you find one on the lot.
As mentioned above, pricing starts at around $60,000 and is capped at nearly $70,000. Our Pro S Plus features a single motor with rear-wheel drive, and the only added option is the bright Pomelo Yellow & Candy White exterior paint color ($995).
In total, you’re spending just over $66,000 for this bright yellow electric bus. Let’s dive into some details and see what it was like to live with for a week.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus: Inside & Out
The ID.Buzz is no shrinking violet. If you don’t like the bright yellow, Mahi Green, Cabana Blue, Energetic Orange, and Cherry Red options are available. Would you prefer something more subdued? You can also choose from silver, gray, black, and dark blue. Black and silver can be found in a monotone scheme, while all the others require white or silver on top.
It’s quite a sight. The front end has a massive lower dam (not an air dam…it’s electric, bro) with a bunch of four-sided shapes. The huge VW emblem is prominently featured between a couple of VW-looking headlights. Out back, it’s pretty plain, with some brake lights, a rear spoiler(ish thing),another big VW emblem, and that’s about it. The side profile is all van, with a few character slats at the back and clean lines across the middle.
The interior isn’t quite as dramatic, but it’s quite configurable. Up front, you get supportive seats with a removable center console between them. There is plenty of space throughout, so the Buzz will likely accommodate whatever outing you have in mind. If you need to stow some small items, there are many cubbies and storage spaces. If you have taller passengers in the 2nd row, the entire seating setup can be moved back to give them room. If you are full-up with people in all three rows, you can average the space out to give everyone a bit more room.
Thankfully, the entire seating setup can fold flat, mostly. As you can see, the rear cargo shelf allows for a nearly straight line from front to back. Adding an air mattress or a type of foam mattress setup would be very easy, providing ample space to sleep. Alternatively, you could get a kit, similar to what Vanpackers offers, that would create a nice and stable platform to sleep on, complete with additional storage.
In the back, you get only 18.6 cubic feet of space with all seats in place. That’s enough for a large hockey bag, though. Plus, the overall space really increases as you fold the seats. You’ll have 75.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and with both the second and third rows removed, it can reach a maximum of 145.5 cubic feet.
That’s pretty impressive, but it’s a big box on wheels, though, so it makes sense.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus: On the Road
The Buzz is not all that light, nor would you necessarily expect her to be. The size, plus the EV drivetrain, nets a curb weight of almost 6,000 pounds. In this case, a three-ton van is hauled around by 282 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. So, it’s not fast, but it never feels like it can’t get out of its way. The tall-riding van feels light and easy to drive.
On the road, it accelerates with reasonable EV quickness, and despite its size, it’s quite easy to park. You just need to pay attention to your mirrors, sensors, and cameras. I charged the ID.Buzz in a variety of situations. It didn’t come with a charging cable, so I didn’t get a chance to test it on the household outlet. I did hop into a few different charging stations, as you can see below.
Summary
I was shocked by how many people asked me about the ID.Buzz at stoplights or simply pointed and smiled as we drove by. The commuter bus driver in DC, from three lanes over, honked and gave me a thumbs up. Two ladies commuting in a Solterra asked me about it and said they wanted a camper version. A guy on his bike towing his kid gave an enthusiastic thumbs up and said “great van man!”
It really makes people happy. Well, not my kids, if I’m honest. Two of them were like, “Wow, it’s so ugly,” but when pressed, they simply didn’t like the bright yellow paint. The third, and oldest, noted from the start that he thought he would like it in a different color.
By the end of the week, I was pricing them out at local dealers, hoping to find some good pricing. It’s a great van, and while I’m not sure I could make it work as my only car, it would be amazing as a daily driver. For $60,000 to $70,000 you won’t get much more personality and versatility.