2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz near Cornelius, NC

The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz revives the design language of the classic VW Microbus and translates it into a contemporary electric vehicle with a focus on practicality and technology. Built on Volkswagen’s MEB electric platform, this bus integrates a spacious three-row interior with a battery-electric drivetrain engineered for efficiency and performance. This model reflects Volkswagen’s commitment to sustainable mobility while preserving key design elements from the original Microbus.

Powertrain and Electric Performance

The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz features a 91-kWh lithium-ion battery pack composed of 13 modules integrated into the vehicle floor, optimizing weight distribution and interior space. This configuration supports a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, designated APP550, which produces 282 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque in rear-wheel-drive models. The motor uses a hairpin winding design in its stator coils, allowing a higher density of copper wiring that improves power output and cooling efficiency. The powertrain unit also includes a two-stage one-speed gearbox and an inverter that converts battery power into three-phase AC for the motor.

All-wheel-drive versions, referred to as 4Motion, incorporate an additional front-mounted asynchronous motor generating 107 horsepower and 99 pound-feet of torque. Combined system output reaches 335 horsepower, with the AWD system engaging the front motor automatically in conditions that require additional traction. 

The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz supports DC fast charging up to 200 kW, enabling a charge from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 26 minutes. The battery management system includes thermal regulation that preconditions the battery temperature for optimal charging efficiency. This feature activates automatically when navigation is set to a charging station or can be manually triggered through the infotainment interface.

EPA-estimated range figures are 234 miles for rear-wheel-drive and 231 miles for all-wheel-drive models. Energy efficiency ratings reach up to 90 MPGe in urban driving and slightly lower figures for highway use. The driving experience is adjustable via selectable modes: Eco reduces powertrain output to enhance efficiency, Comfort prioritizes ride quality, Sport increases throttle and steering responsiveness, and Custom allows blending Comfort and Sport parameters. All-wheel-drive models add a Traction mode that maintains permanent all-wheel-drive at low speeds to improve control on slippery surfaces.

Exterior Design and Aerodynamic Features

The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz maintains recognizable design features from the original Microbus while incorporating aerodynamic improvements. The front end includes a V-shaped hood with an illuminated Volkswagen badge connected by a slim light bar to LED projector headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). The LED daytime running lights are integrated into the headlight assembly.

The vehicle’s body design balances classic proportions with functional aerodynamics, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.29. The short front and rear overhangs maximize interior volume relative to the vehicle footprint, and the bodywork is visually divided into upper and lower sections, referencing the original Bus’ styling.

Standard wheels are 20-inch aluminum-alloy discs inspired by the Microbus design, optimized for airflow to reduce drag. Tires are sized at 235/50 R20 on the front and 265/45 R20 on the rear, selected for low rolling resistance. Dual power-operated sliding doors with fully powered sliding windows improve access to the rear rows. A power tailgate with hands-free operation is included on higher trims, allowing opening and closing by a simple foot movement when the key is detected nearby. Tow hitch options are concealed behind the rear bumper and support towing capacities of up to 3,500 pounds on AWD models.

Interior Configuration and Comfort Engineering

The interior of the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz offers three specific color and material themes tailored to the North American market. These include Moonlight, featuring dark brown leatherette with white piping and blue door inserts; Dune, which pairs light grey leatherette with clay accents and a light wood-look dashboard; and Copper, characterized by rich brown leatherette with yellow piping and a washed wood finish.

Seating accommodates six or seven occupants depending on trim and configuration. Rear-wheel-drive models come with a second-row bench seat supporting seven passengers, with the bench adjustable fore and aft and the seatbacks reclining to improve comfort or facilitate access to the third row. Higher trims and AWD models offer captain’s chairs in the second row, reducing total passenger capacity to six but improving individual seating comfort. The third-row seats are adjustable, foldable, and removable to expand cargo volume.

The cabin volume measures 163.7 cubic feet with the available electrochromic smart glass roof installed. This roof system can switch from transparent to opaque via an electronic control, using a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer embedded in the glass. The roof measures 60.6 inches in length and 36.6 inches in width, providing the largest glass area available across Volkswagen Group models.

Additional interior features include the Buzz Box, a modular, removable center console offering configurable storage compartments and locking capability. The cabin also provides multiple cupholders, door storage bins, and under-seat compartments to maximize utility.

Infotainment and Connectivity Systems

The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz cockpit presents two primary displays: a 5.3-inch ID. Cockpit digital instrument panel mounted on the steering column, and a central 12.9-inch touchscreen for infotainment and vehicle controls. The instrument panel provides driving data, navigation information, battery state of charge, and system status. The touchscreen manages audio, navigation, climate, and vehicle settings with touch-sensitive sliders for volume and temperature.

Higher trims add a head-up display projecting key information into the driver’s line of sight and an Area View system that utilizes four cameras for a surround view to aid maneuvering and parking. The infotainment system features a customizable home screen with tiles representing apps and functions. Voice control integrates artificial intelligence powered by ChatGPT technology through Volkswagen Car-Net Plus Speech, allowing natural language interaction.

Wireless App-Connect and Qi wireless charging are standard. Device connectivity includes eight USB-C ports distributed throughout the cabin, a 110-volt outlet under the passenger seat, and a 12-volt outlet in the cargo area. Audio systems range from a nine-speaker setup in base trims to a premium 700-watt Harman Kardon® system with 14 speakers and a subwoofer in upgraded versions. SiriusXM® with 360L provides satellite and streaming audio with personalized content, accessible through subscription.

Connected services through Volkswagen Car-Net enable remote access to vehicle functions, real-time vehicle status, route planning including charging stations, and emergency assistance. Remote commands can be issued via the myVW mobile app or voice assistants like Amazon Alexa.

Chassis, Suspension, and Handling Dynamics

The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz uses a skateboard chassis architecture with the battery pack positioned in the floor to lower the center of gravity and enhance stability. The front suspension is a strut setup with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, and an anti-roll bar. Steering rack placement ahead of the front axle improves cornering stability. The rear suspension employs a multi-link configuration with coil springs, telescopic dampers, and an anti-roll bar, incorporating aluminum components to reduce unsprung mass.

Steering has a lock-to-lock ratio of 3.42 turns and a tight turning radius of 37.4 feet for RWD models, with AWD variants at 42.7 feet. Drivers can select driving modes influencing steering weight, throttle response, and motor engagement. The vehicle dynamics system uses electronic brake interventions and a digital transverse differential lock (XDS) to optimize traction and cornering.

Regenerative braking operates in two modes: D for default coasting with energy recovery during braking, and B for stronger regenerative braking during deceleration without requiring brake pedal input. Friction brakes are 15-inch discs in front and 13-inch drums in the rear, reflecting lower rear brake usage due to regenerative braking.

Safety Systems and Driver Assistance Features

Safety in the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz includes six airbags positioned for front and side protection, along with electronic systems such as Anti-lock Braking System and Electronic Stability Control. The vehicle is equipped with Volkswagen’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which applies brakes after a collision to reduce secondary impacts.

The IQ.DRIVE system provides advanced driver assistance including semi-automated Travel Assist that manages acceleration, braking, and steering up to 95 mph with lane centering and adaptive cruise control. Front Assist warns of potential collisions and applies emergency braking for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Active Side Assist monitors blind spots and can intervene with corrective steering. Rear Traffic Alert warns of approaching vehicles while reversing.

Lane Assist supports lane keeping by detecting lane markings and providing steering corrections if the vehicle drifts unintentionally. Emergency Assist monitors driver attention and can bring the vehicle to a stop if no driver input is detected. Park Assist Plus offers automated parking and memory for repeated parking maneuvers. Exit Warning alerts occupants when opening doors could create a hazard.

Additional safety aids include dynamic road sign recognition, automatic high beam control, Park Distance Control for low-speed obstacle detection, and a rearview camera. 

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