Iconic design, two-tone paint, three rows, AWD; no matter you name it, the Buzz gained’t be low-cost.

The 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz electrical minivan has been coming to North America for a protracted, lengthy time. The idea for an all-EV reboot of the basic Kind 2 Microbus appeared in 2016 and was confirmed for manufacturing in August 2017. It’s been on sale in Europe for a 12 months, as has the Cargo commercial-van variant. At a media preview Thursday, we lastly bought a have a look at the model that’ll come to the U.S. and Canadian markets within the second half of subsequent 12 months.

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 section of mass-market 3-row electrical household utilities. Ford, Hyundai, Kia, and GM will all launch automobiles into that section 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 growth 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 section leaders Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Then VW launched the U.S.-built Atlas 3-row SUV, a car giant sufficient that North America can be its single largest market.

So the U.S. has waited for a model of the ID.Buzz that VW of America feels is healthier suited to our market. Meaning 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 completely 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 larger capability for thermal load, stator wires have larger cross-section and simpler turns, and coolant that mixes oil and water provides extra means to shed warmth. The mixture collectively boosts not solely energy and torque, but additionally vitality effectivity. VW quotes a most charging charge of 170 kilowatts, and DC quick charging from 10 to 80 p.c of battery capability in about 20 minutes (beneath superb circumstances).

All-wheel drive can 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 unhealthy 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’ emblem on the entrance, maybe the only most iconic visible indicator, is illuminated (a characteristic many European patrons might remorse is prohibited beneath EU laws). The biggest glass roof VW has ever provided, greater than 67 inches lengthy and virtually 41 inches large, comprises 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 remedies are optionally available, harkening instantly again to the Deluxe Microbuses of the early and mid Nineteen Sixties. Eight paint colours embrace brilliant tones—Pomelo Yellow, Energetic Orange, Mahi Blue—in addition to the inevitable silver and charcoal. Three inside mixtures are provided: darkish brown and black, gentle gray and clay, and lightweight brown and gray. Every has a unique colour of contrasting piping, and a unique wood-look tone. Two trim ranges can 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 embrace commonplace 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 break up again remainder of the second row could be adjusted for rake, and the 3-position second row will also be changed with captain’s chairs if solely six seats are wanted. The third row could be eliminated completely.

A 14-speaker Harmon Kardon premium audio system is offered, however for passengers utilizing their very own units, the Buzz contains 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 perform on the left of the 12.9-inch heart touchscreen show to present one-touch entry to the primary menu. Different revisions based mostly on suggestions from ID.4 customers embrace 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 extra adjustments. First, a two-row model (with a really lengthy load bay) can be provided in that nation solely. Second, a warmth pump for extra environment friendly cabin heating can be provided as an possibility, as it’s as we speak on ID.4s offered in Canada.

No matter it’s, it gained’t be low-cost

Defining the ID.Buzz as a car is tough. 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 vehicles had been enormously in style at the beginning, however gross sales dwindled quick after two or three years.

However, it’s a minivan with sliding facet doorways. From a peak in about 2000, this section has stabilized at a low degree with only some gamers (Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Kia). VW hasn’t had any sort of boxy van-like car for a few a long time, so it’s successfully a brand new entrant.

Frankly, if it may get the amount, Volkswagen would in all probability need the ID.Buzz to compete within the “three-row household crossover” class. It’s bought seven seats, a versatile inside, and accessible AWD. Whereas it doesn’t have SUV floor clearance, the driving place is excessive sufficient—4 inches larger than that of the Atlas 3-row SUV—to present that utility-vehicle feeling.

No matter it’s, U.S. gross sales of the ID.Buzz gained’t begin till the second half of subsequent 12 months, and VW gained’t announce pricing till a lot nearer to that point. It additionally mentioned nothing on predicted EPA vary scores. Given the excessive degree of normal tools on all Buzz variants, although, it probably gained’t be low-cost. The beginning value may properly be near $60,000—and it gained’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 isn’t 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 customers into showrooms for a glance. Given a most international 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 value.

Numerous buzz

Nonetheless, the ID.Buzz will add a direct 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 not too long ago revealed ID.7 sedan will arrive within the second half of 2024 as properly, 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 brilliant colours and that two-tone therapy.

How in style was the idea? In 2017, I bought an opportunity to drive the idea car 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 instantly by means of the center of a video shoot—to ask about it.

Nothing else offered as we speak, EV or in any other case, seems 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 need to study when it’ll present up, how far it’ll go, and what it prices.

Volkswagen supplied airfare, lodging, and meals to allow Charged EVs to deliver you this first-person information report.