Review: 2025 VW ID. Buzz - Billboard on Wheels
The 2025 ID. Buzz is a real head-turner. | CREDIT : Jack Kazmierski
Splash your logo on the side in company colours, and you have an instant billboard on wheels. | CREDIT : Jack Kazmierski
The interior of the ID. Buzz is an exercise in minimalism. | CREDIT : Jack Kazmierski
There’s plenty of legroom and headroom in all three rows. | CREDIT : Jack Kazmierski
The exercise in minimalism includes this uncluttered instrument cluster. | CREDIT : Jack Kazmierski
This 12.9-inch touch screen is the focal point of the interior. | CREDIT : Jack Kazmierski
All three rows can fold flat for maximum cargo space. | CREDIT : Jack Kazmierski
These unusual sliding second-row windows add to the charm and appeal of the ID. Buzz. | CREDIT : Jack Kazmierski
Storage behind the third row. | CREDIT : Jack Kazmierski
This charming retro wheel design is part of what makes the ID. Buzz so nostalgic. | CREDIT : Jack Kazmierski
Although the VW ID. Buzz may not be top-of-mind with many fleet managers shopping for fleet vehicles, Volkswagen and Uber recently announced a partnership to deploy a fleet of thousands of autonomous ID. Buzz vans within multiple U.S. markets over the next decade. So clearly, there’s a fleet application for this modern reinterpretation of the classic VW Microbus, which fist came to market in the 1950s.
The 2025 ID. Buzz is a real head-turner, and that makes it an ideal choice for companies and organizations that are looking for a way to raise brand awareness. Splash your logo on the side in company colours, and you have an instant billboard on wheels that is sure to attract attention wherever it goes.
Two great options
For the 2025 model year, VW is offering the ID. Buzz in two configurations: the rear-wheel drive ID. Buzz 1st Edition, and the all-wheel drive ID. Buzz 1st Edition 4MOTION. The former makes 282 horsepower, while the AWD version makes 335.
Besides power output, the two variations differ in that the RWD version has room for seven, while the AWD version gains second-row captain’s chairs, bringing capacity down to six. Beyond these key differences, both trims are pretty much the same.
Larger than it looks
If you’ve already seen the ID. Buzz in photos, you might be thinking that it’s a cute little van. While it’s true that it’s cute, it’s not little at all. In fact, you have to step up to get into the vehicle, and once inside, you’re sure to be impressed with how roomy it is.
Thanks to its boxy design, headroom in the ID. Buzz is very generous for passengers in all three rows. There’s also ample space between the captain’s chairs in the second row to get to the third row of seats, and legroom is generous in all three rows, which makes the last row of seats very usable and practical, event for adults.
The seats in all three rows are very comfortable, and tri-zone climate control is standard equipment, which means everyone can be happy with the temperature. Leatherette is standard on both trims; cloth and leather are not available options.
Both second- and third-row seats fold flat, which makes the ID. Buzz especially capable of hauling a considerable amount of stuff. Cargo volume is 4,120/2,138/527 litres behind the first/second/third rows. Properly equipped, the ID. Buzz can tow a maximum of 3,500 lbs.
Power & handling
While some electric vehicles deliver whiplash-inducing acceleration, and others fall into the you’ll-get-there-when-you-get-there category of performance, the ID. Buzz falls somewhere in between.
Acceleration if effortless and would best be described as swift and silent. While the RWD version of the ID. Buzz has a 0-100 km/hr time of 7.8 seconds, the AWD version is a bit faster at 6.4 seconds. Furthermore, the ID. Buzz is bottom-heavy, thanks to the position of the battery, which makes it more nimble and fun in tighter turns than its size might suggest. In short, it’s a lot of fun to drive.
It benefits from a long wheelbase, and the 20-inch wheels are pushed out to the corners, which makes for a smooth and comfortable ride. That said, the suspension is tuned to be on the firm side, so don’t expect to float over road irregularities.
Gizmos & gadgets
The interior of the ID. Buzz is an exercise in minimalism, and that includes all the screens and controls. A 12.9-inch touch screen is the focal point of the interior, and almost all features and function are accessible via this screen. There are no physical buttons or knobs for the HVAC system, the sound system, or any other feature. It’s all basically controlled with that one screen.
To be fair, there are steering-wheel mounted controls for things like cruise control, for changing radio stations or adjusting volume. There’s also a separate switch for the lights and for the wipers, but if you want to access the many features and apps that come with the ID. Buzz, you’ll have to do so with that one large touch screen, or with the help of IDA, the built-in personal voice assistant.
The list of standard features is extensive, and includes upscale features like a 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, a head-up display, a power tailgate, Sirius XM satellite radio, satellite navigation, a tri-zone climate control system with front and rear controls, heated exterior mirrors and washer nozzles, front and rear parking sensors, a 115V power outlet under the front passenger’s seat, USB Type-C charging ports in all three rows, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, 12-way front power seats with memory and lumbar support, heated front and outer rear seats, ventilated front seats with massage function, power sliding doors, and a whole lot more.
The ID. Buzz also comes with a comprehensive list of standard safety features. The myVW mobile app is also standard equipment, and it allows you to lock and unlock the vehicle, adjust climate control settings remotely, access a digital version of the owner’s manual, and much more.
One of the interesting features we had the opportunity to try out during the recent heatwave that hit parts of Canada is the ability to keep the air conditioning running, event while the vehicle is parked. This allowed us to run errands and come back to cool interior, even though the temperature outside was well over 40 degrees Celsius.
Attention-grabbing design
Every once in a while, a new and interesting vehicle comes to market that puts smiles on the faces of passersby, and attracts a lot of attention. Think back to when the Fiat 500, the Mini Cooper or the Hummer H2 first arrived in Canada. Those vehicles turned heads, and for some businesses, they served as a way to draw attention to their brands.
In 2025, the ID. Buzz is the attention-grabber. Properly decalled and branded, the ID. Buzz is sure to attract eyeballs wherever it goes. Moreover, it’s a capable vehicle with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Either way, there are compelling reasons to consider it for your fleet selector.
Price and Specifications
Year Make Model Trim
2025 ID. Buzz 1st Edition 4MOTION
Base Price
$82,995
Notable Options
Panoramic Fixed Glass Roof: $2000
Candy White Two-Tone Exterior: $1500
Price as Tested
$86,495
Powertrain
Dual electric motors
Transmission
One-Speed
Horsepower
335 hp
Torque
Front: 99 lb-ft.
Rear: 413 lb-ft.
Fuel Economy (NRCan)
2.7/3.2/2.9 Le/100 km (city/hwy/combined)
Electric Range
372 km
Good
Attention-grabbing design
Large and spacious interior
Fun to drive
Bad
No coffee cup holders in second row
All features are controlled with one main touch screen
