Volkswagen vans hold a special place in automotive history, synonymous with freedom, adventure, and a certain counter-culture cool. For decades, the iconic VW bus has been a symbol of road trips and open roads. Now, after years of anticipation, Volkswagen has reimagined this classic for the 21st century with the all-electric ID. Buzz. For enthusiasts and newcomers alike, the question is: does this modern iteration capture the spirit of the original Vw Van? After spending a week behind the wheel of the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, the answer is a resounding yes, with a surprising twist.
Alt text: The vibrant lemon yellow VW ID. Buzz electric van parked in a residential driveway, showcasing its modern yet retro design.
My history with VW vans is personal. Like many, I have fond memories of the classic Volkswagen bus and its successors. Our family’s 2002 Eurovan served us faithfully for years, becoming a staple of family trips and everyday life. The departure of our beloved Eurovan left a void, a thirty-year streak of VW van ownership broken. Then, unexpectedly, the ID. Buzz arrived, pulling into our driveway like a familiar friend returning home.
Initially, electric vehicles (EVs) haven’t always sparked excitement for me. The typical EV experience can feel somewhat sterile, focused on efficiency over engagement. However, the ID. Buzz is different. Stepping inside is akin to entering a spaceship, but in the best possible way. The driving experience is genuinely engaging and, dare I say, fun. To put it simply, the ID. Buzz is a trip. This sentiment was echoed by a younger generation when I took Gefen, a nineteen-year-old car enthusiast with a penchant for vintage vehicles, for a spin. His concise verdict? “It’s just like your Eurovan, except it runs.” High praise indeed, coming from someone more accustomed to the quirks of classic cars.
To truly understand the ID. Buzz, I felt compelled to put it to the test, to explore its capabilities beyond daily commutes. My mind immediately went to Good News Garage, the legendary workshop of Tom and Ray Magliozzi, known to millions as Click and Clack from NPR’s “Car Talk.” While Tom is sadly no longer with us, Ray still holds court at the shop. A visit to Ray seemed like the perfect way to gauge the ID. Buzz’s appeal to a seasoned car expert with a particular fondness for classic VW vans.
Alt text: Ray Magliozzi, of “Car Talk” fame, carefully examines the spacious three-row interior of the new electric VW ID. Buzz van.
Ray’s initial reaction was one of impressed surprise. “This is pretty swanky,” he remarked, taking in the Buzz’s modern features and spacious three-row seating. As we took a ride, I couldn’t resist demonstrating some of the Buzz’s amenities, including the massage function in the driver’s seat. Ray remained characteristically unimpressed by such frills, rolling his eyes with good-natured skepticism. However, when we opened up the throttle on Memorial Drive, even Ray had to concede, “This thing does fly, though.” His reservations, however, surfaced when the topic of price arose. While acknowledging the ID. Buzz’s performance, Ray questioned its market appeal at the starting price point of around sixty-five thousand dollars. He expressed a preference for older VW buses, particularly models from the late 60s and early 70s, viewing later models as more troublesome.
Further conversations with industry professionals provided additional context. A general manager at Boston Volkswagen expressed optimism about the ID. Buzz, anticipating strong demand and expecting to sell hundreds, despite limited initial allocations from Volkswagen. However, practical realities also emerged during my week with the Buzz. On a particularly cold day, a sliding door malfunctioned, getting stuck wide open. This minor inconvenience, while quickly resolved at the service desk, highlighted a potential trade-off between cutting-edge technology and the robustness of simpler, older designs. It prompted a humorous observation from a passenger, an environmental-law professor, who quipped, “Our E.V. van brings you closer to the great outdoors, whether you want it or not,” suggesting a new, albeit unintended, VW motto.
To truly test the ID. Buzz’s range and its connection to the VW van legacy, a road trip was in order. I set my sights on John’s Car Corner in Westminster, Vermont, a place that from the road appears to be a veritable VW bus graveyard. John Hamill, the 84-year-old owner, is a true VW aficionado, having owned over twenty-seven hundred cars and driven Vanagons daily for years. His passion for VW vans is infectious. “Every day, I wake up, and I think, I get to drive my Vanagon today, and I am happy,” John shared, encapsulating the enduring appeal of these vehicles. John had never seen the ID. Buzz before, and I was eager to get his expert opinion.
Alt text: John Hamill, a long-time Volkswagen Vanagon owner and enthusiast, inspecting the exterior design of the new VW ID. Buzz.
Taking John for a ride in the ID. Buzz was a highlight of the test drive. He appreciated the modern van, even noting its resemblance to a Toyota Sienna, but he recognized the underlying VW bus DNA. His positive reaction reinforced the idea that the ID. Buzz successfully blends modern technology with the spirit of the classic vw van. Interestingly, the ID. Buzz attracted attention wherever it went. From parking lots to taco stands, and even while parked in my driveway, people stopped to admire it, frequently inquiring if it was for sale. This constant public interest underscores the ID. Buzz’s visual appeal and the enduring fascination with the Volkswagen van.
To add a touch of playful comparison, and inspired by the classic car culture depicted in “American Graffiti,” a drag race seemed like a fitting way to test the ID. Buzz’s performance against a vintage vehicle. Gefen, with his tangerine-colored 1972 Saab Sonett, was the perfect competitor. Despite the Sonett’s rebuilt engine and clutch, its 65 horsepower was no match for the ID. Buzz’s 282 horsepower and instant electric torque. The impromptu drag race, conducted on a quiet stretch of road near a synagogue (after navigating Hebrew school traffic), was less about serious competition and more about the fun of contrasting automotive eras. The ID. Buzz, with its futuristic “Pause” and “Play” pedals, effortlessly outpaced the vintage Sonett, highlighting the impressive performance capabilities of the electric vw van.
In conclusion, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is more than just an electric vehicle; it’s a modern reinterpretation of a cultural icon. It successfully captures the essence of the classic vw van, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge technology. While the price point may be a barrier for some, the ID. Buzz offers a unique and compelling driving experience that is both fun and practical. It’s a vehicle that sparks conversations, evokes memories, and, most importantly, makes you want to hit the open road. For those who have waited for the return of the vw van, the ID. Buzz is here, and it’s ready for a new generation of adventures.
