After reviewing the 2025 VW ID. Buzz 1st Edition with my family, I went from skeptic to fanatic in just a week. Automakers, take notes. The 1st Edition has never missed a day in school.
I swore I’d never drive a minivan. As a millennial mom, I thought it was the car equivalent of surrendering my identity. But then the 2025 VW ID. Buzz rolled into my life, and suddenly, the line between “mom mobile” and “cool ride” got very, very blurry.
After attending a screening of Just Hands: For the Love of Racing in Amenia, NY, I drove home in the 2025 ID. Buzz 1st Edition 4Motion. It was in a stunning two-toned Cabana Blue & Candy White exterior with a “Dune” interior featuring leatherette seats. With 3-row seating for six passengers, a starting price of $69,995, and an EPA-estimated range of 231 miles, this isn’t your typical family mover.
The last minivan I test-drove was a 2021 Toyota Sienna XSE, the sportier trim that tried to make minivans exciting. Spoiler alert: the ID. Buzz actually succeeds where the Sienna fell short. If you’re a skeptic, like I was for the longest time, here’s what the ID. Buzz did right.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Joy and Nostalgia Separate the ID. Buzz From the Others
I’ll be honest: this wasn’t a car I was initially excited about. When I told my husband I’d be test-driving the ID. Buzz, he immediately lit up, and went on about his uncle’s VW Bus from long ago. That reaction became the theme of my entire week with this electric van: Nostalgia.
Throughout my time with the Buzz, many came to recount their time with a 1960s Bus. Two neighbors shared their own VW bus stories—one had owned one nearly 30 years ago, while my neighbor across the street said it took her back to her school days in Haiti, where the Bus served as her actual school bus. Anyone we encountered had nostalgic stories that sparked joy and triggered happy memories. I’ve officially deemed it the car that sparks joy, and honestly, when you look at its front fascia, it’s kind of reminiscent of a smiley face.
When my 14-year-old daughter first saw it parked in front of our house, she asked, “Whose UGLY car is that?” I replied that it’s not ugly and actually really fun. During my 2.5-hour drive from Upstate New York back home, I received countless thumbs-ups, smiles, and compliments. Plus, when I took her and her friends to the mall, they loved it. They said it was cute and appreciated all the space. Nothing like peer approval to change a teenager’s mind.
The Range is Good, But Could be Better
The 91-kWh battery provides that 231-mile range, though I wish it were better. During my 103-mile ride home from Amenia, New York, I found myself thinking about longer road trips and charging frequency. The range does decrease when using the A/C, something VW should work on improving for future models.
That said, where the ID. Buzz really shines in acceleration. While the Toyota Sienna I tested was zippy, the ID. Buzz MOVED! The instant torque delivery meant I could maneuver through traffic safely and with ease. An important feature for busy moms navigating school zones and highway merges.
The cabin comfort impressed me, too. The seats are exceptionally comfortable for long drives, featuring power adjustments, massage functions, and heating. I was genuinely surprised to discover the massaging feature available for both driver and front passenger. My 14-year-old even used the heated second-row seats during summer because she could.
READ MORE: Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Practical—5 Important Reasons Minivan Sales are Soaring
What it Lacked in Range, it Made Up For in Space
The 6-passenger seating layout features captain’s chairs (though a 7-passenger configuration is available), with two passengers in the second row on sliding rails and two in the spacious third row. Those sliding doors make entry and exit effortless. I easily installed my 5-year-old’s heavy Britax One4Life car seat without the usual wrestling match.
The third row isn’t just for show either. When we went to the mall, my daughter’s 5’6″ friend comfortably fit back there. The ID. Buzz measures 76.2 inches tall compared to the Toyota Sienna’s 68.5 inches; that extra 7.7 inches translates to serious headroom. My 36-inch-tall 5-year-old could walk throughout the cabin with ease, and she loved that freedom.
READ MORE: Lucid Gravity May be the Ultimate 3-Row SUV: Electric, Luxury, Minivan-Style Space
Daily Driving Wasn’t Just Easy, It Was Fun
School pickup was a breeze. The Buzz is easy to park and maneuver, with park distance control front and rear, making parallel parking simple, complemented by an excellent rear camera system. I tried the Parking Assist feature, but it didn’t work for me.
For shopping trips, our minimal bags fit well in the 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. However, with all six seats occupied, storage becomes limited. When the third row is removed, cargo space expands to 75.5 cubic feet behind the second row, with maximum cargo capacity reaching 145 cubic feet. The Toyota Sienna generally offers more cargo space behind the third row, but the ID. Buzz provides more space behind the second row when the third row is folded.
Highway comfort proved excellent for family road trips. The captain’s chairs in the second row meant no sibling arguments about touching each other; everyone has their own space, complete with heated seats.
READ MORE: A Mom’s Take on Why the Toyota Sienna Minivan is so Popular
The Interior Tech Was Incredibly Family-Friendly
The tri-zone climate control ensures no arguments over temperature, no matter where anyone sits. The movable center console can slide front or back, and families can purchase an additional console for permanent second-row placement.
Safety features provided real peace of mind. The Light Assist proved invaluable during my drive through Amenia’s dark, rainy roads, while Lane Keep Assist and other advanced safety features from the comprehensive suite kept us protected.
However, the infotainment system needs improvement; it lagged, especially when switching between radio stations. For families who rely heavily on entertainment systems, there’s no rear entertainment, so kids will need their own devices. Or just pack an activity pack for road trips.
READ MORE: These Parent-Approved Road Trip Playlists, Podcasts, and Audiobooks Make the Miles Fly By
Charging Wasn’t As Cheap as Advertised, Though
During my week with the ID. Buzz, I charged twice at Electrify America stations, which was recommended by the VW fleet manager. At $0.64/kWh during peak hours, it cost $44.28 for the first charge (27 minutes) and $39 for the second (25 minutes, tax included). The stations cap charging at 85%, which is standard but worth noting for trip planning.
As someone on their second EV experience, I knew where to go, but families new to electric cars will need to plan ahead and potentially invest in home charging infrastructure. Especially since the ID. Buzz, surprisingly, doesn’t come with a NACS port. There is an adapter you can buy separately, though, so if you have a Tesla Supercharger in your area, it may be slightly easier for you. The upcoming model is rumored to have a built-in NACS port, though.
Pricing Reality Check: Is Cool Worth the Cost?
The 2025 ID. Buzz offers five trim levels: Pro S, Pro S Plus, Pro S Plus with 4MOTION, 1st Edition, and 1st Edition with 4MOTION. The Pro S and Pro S Plus trims come standard with rear-wheel drive, while 4MOTION trims offer all-wheel drive.
With a starting price of $59,995 for the base Pro S and our 1st Edition 4MOTION testing at $72,342, this is significantly more expensive than the Toyota Sienna’s $40,980 starting price.
The ID.Buzz is perfect for families ready for the electric transition, parents who refuse to sacrifice style for function, early adopters comfortable with EV infrastructure, and families prioritizing environmental impact.
READ MORE: EV Charging’s Dirty Little Secret — Why It Can Cost As Much As Gas, And How to Pay Less
What We Loved vs. What You Need to Know
What We Loved:
The design and name sparked many nostalgic conversations, both from young and old
Surprising driving dynamics that make it fun, not just functional
Premium interior materials and build quality throughout—even my teen and her friends were impressed
An electrochromic sunroof not only helped keep us cool, but it also added to the premium feel
Customizable ambient lighting in the front and rear amplified the experience
Massaging seats made the long-distance trip a breeze
Everyone loved the Harmon Kardon sound system
What You Need to Know:
The price point is hard to swallow compared to other minivans (like the Sienna)
The giant sunroof is great, but it also increases noise in the interior
The range could be better for long family road trips
Entry height could benefit from running boards, especially for young kids
The VW ID. Buzz Redefined ‘Family Car’ For my Family
Would I buy it? Would I drive it again? My husband said he’d trade in his Volvo XC90 for it. While I love the ID. Buzz, a few changes would seal the deal for me completely. It’s a great car that’s fun, show-stopping, and practical.
The ID. Buzz should be considered by families ready to embrace electric without sacrificing style, those who want a conversation starter in the school pickup line, and anyone tired of boring family transportation. This electric van is genuinely changing perceptions of “mom cars”—proving that practical doesn’t have to mean giving up your cool points.
The 2025 VW ID. Buzz isn’t just another electric family option; it’s proof that the future of family transportation can be both responsible and exciting. Sometimes the best family car is the one that makes you smile every time you see it in your driveway.
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