2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Review: A Retro-Inspired EV for Families
Today, I have one of the most fun cars on the market to date! The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz has been receiving a lot of buzz (pun intended) for it being the latest EV on the market AND reviving the beloved VW bus. While this car is definitely a head tuner, the question stands: is it family-friendly?
If you’re new here—welcome! I’m Kelly The Car Mom, a mom of four and a certified child passenger safety tech. I review cars with families in mind to help you figure out if they could work for you. Today, we’re diving into everything you need to know about the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz.
Before you dive in and start car shopping, make sure you’re fully prepared to tackle today’s market with confidence. To learn everything from dealership prep to a complete negotiations strategy, check out my Car Buying Course!
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Highlights
Retro Meets Modern: A nostalgic design with futuristic EV tech.
Three-Row Seating: Room for up to seven passengers.
EV Range: Estimated 263 miles (realistically closer to 245 miles in colder climates).
Price: Starting at $59,000 for the Pro S trim, with higher trims reaching into the $70K range.
Car Seat Setup:
Second Row LATCH Setup: three sets of lower LATCH anchors and 3 tether anchors
Third Row LATCH Setup: two seats of lower LATCH anchors and 2 tether anchors
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Family-Friendliness
What Works:
Car Seat Flexibility: Three across in the second row with two LATCH-equipped seats in the third row is a dream setup for larger families.
Sliding Doors: Always a win for parents juggling kids and groceries.
Open Floor Plan: Flat floorboards make every seating position more comfortable.
What Doesn’t Work:
Storage: Limited cubbies and compartments throughout the cabin.
Trunk Depth: Shallow cargo area may be frustrating for families with lots of gear.
Price Point: Starting at $59K (and climbing higher), it’s an expensive option compared to traditional minivans.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Exterior
The ID. Buzz is an absolute head-turner! Its retro-inspired styling pays homage to the classic VW Microbus while incorporating modern touches like LED lighting and bold color options. The two-tone paint schemes are especially fun and give it that quirky personality we expect from VW. The car is big—really big—and tall, making it stand out even more on the road.
The sliding rear doors are perfect for families, offering easy access to the second and third rows. However, keep in mind that the height of this car might be a challenge for shorter drivers or those with low garage ceilings.
Driving Experience
The ID. Buzz drives like a rectangle on wheels. It feels larger than most minivans due to its tall structure and boxy shape. While it’s not sporty by any means, it offers smooth acceleration thanks to its electric powertrain. Just be prepared for some wind resistance at higher speeds—it’s not exactly aerodynamic.
The estimated range of 263 miles is respectable but likely closer to 245 miles in real-world conditions. If you live in colder climates or frequently drive long distances, this might feel limiting compared to other EVs on the market.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz First Row
The front seats are spacious and comfortable, with a clean and minimalist dashboard design typical of modern EVs. Storage upfront is decent but not exceptional. The removable center console is a nice touch if you want to create an open aisle between the front seats, but personally, I’d prefer more built-in storage options.
Infotainment System
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz features a 10-inch touchscreen as standard, with an optional 12-inch display on higher trims. While the screen feels small for a car in this price range, it’s functional and integrates key features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and EV-specific tools such as range monitoring and nearby charging station locators.
The interface is clean and responsive, but the lack of physical buttons for climate and audio controls can be frustrating. These touch-sensitive sliders, located below the screen, are not backlit, making nighttime use inconvenient. On the plus side, there are multiple USB-C ports throughout the cabin, including one near the rearview mirror for dash cams.
While the system is straightforward and user-friendly, it lacks innovative family-focused tech like rear passenger cameras or entertainment screens. Overall, it’s functional but falls short of expectations for a high-tech EV at this price point.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Second Row
The second-row bench seat in the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is impressively wide, making it possible to fit three car seats across—a huge win for families. It features three sets of lower LATCH anchors and tether anchors, allowing for straightforward car seat installation. This flexibility makes it a standout option if you’re juggling multiple car seats.
The flat floor design adds extra comfort for middle-seat passengers, eliminating the hump found in many cars. For especially taller passengers, the legroom is fantastic. Overall, the second row is spacious and family-friendly, but it could benefit from additional storage solutions to better accommodate busy families.
Amenities in the second row include: ceiling vents, USB-C ports on both sides, and seatback pockets. However, storage options are limited compared to competitors like the Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival, which offer more cubbies and compartments.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Third Row
Accessing the third row is so much easier because of Volkswagen’s car seat tilt feature—a lifesaver if you have car seats installed in the second row.
Once back there, you’ll find two individual seats that are surprisingly comfortable with decent legroom. Both seats have their own lower LATCH anchors and tether anchors (yes, FIVE sets of LATCH anchors total in this car!). There are also cupholders and USB-C ports for added convenience.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Trunk Space
Here’s where things get tricky for families—the trunk space isn’t as deep as other minivans due to the large battery underneath the floor. While it’s functional for everyday errands or smaller hauls, it may not be ideal for families who use strollers (especially doubles) on an everyday basis or haul around a ton of sports gear/
If you need more room, you can fold down or remove the third-row seats entirely—but keep in mind that doing so leaves your cargo unsecured in the cabin. For safety reasons (and peace of mind), I’d recommend sticking with the bench seat configuration if you’re hauling kids and cargo.
Who Is This Car For?
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is perfect for families who want something unique and eco-friendly without sacrificing passenger space. You definitely have to prioritize style over storage and love the retro vibe.
However, if you need maximum trunk space or prefer traditional minivan features like built-in vacuum cleaners or extensive storage compartments, this might not be your best bet.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Wrap-Up
While I love its quirky charm and EV efficiency, I think VW missed an opportunity to make this a true family-first minivan by skimping on storage solutions and trunk depth. That said, it’s still a solid option for eco-conscious families who want something different from your typical Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival.
Would I buy it? Probably not—at least not as my primary family hauler—but I can see why it would appeal to certain buyers looking for something fresh and fun.
What do you think about the Volkswagen ID. Buzz? Let me know in the comments below! And to keep up with all the latest family cars on the market, check out my recent posts: