HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — America is about to get groovy once more. The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz will lastly arrive on our shores subsequent 12 months, and that is it, full with an intensive enhance in dimension, energy and battery capability over the European model we’ve already had an opportunity to drive.
The North American model of the all-electric, reimagined VW Bus features a 3rd row of seats and a whopping 10 inches of size, all of which comes from extending the wheelbase. This leads to really distinctive proportions. The general size is 192.4 inches, or practically a foot lower than a Chrysler Pacifica. Nonetheless, the wheelbase of 127.5 inches is half a foot longer than a Pacifica’s. The picture beneath ought to illustrate why that is peculiar: You simply don’t see this combo of wheels-to-the-corners, huge wheelbase and low floor clearance. Sure driveways might trigger high-centering points.
The Buzz can be 77.9 inches large and 74.6 inches tall, which is 2 inches narrower than a Pacifica, however about 5 inches taller. Evidently, this isn’t your typical minivan.
Extra to that time, don’t anticipate the type of rear seat performance you discover within the Pacifica and others. The third row has seatbelts for less than two, which means the Buzz is both a seven-passenger automobile with the three-spot second-row bench or a six-passenger one with captain’s chairs. The second row doesn’t have any particular minivan methods up its sleeve, both. The bench slides fore and aft by 7.9 inches, and reclines by 16 levels, however is principally what you’d get in a big three-row crossover.
What it lacks in performance and gee-whiz options, although, it makes up for with unmatched area and luxury for passengers in each rear rows, however particularly the third. It truly is beautiful. I’m 6-foot-3, and I had no less than three inches between my knees and the second-row in its aft-most place. Higher nonetheless, the seat is mounted extremely excessive for a 3rd row – a lot moreso than in a minivan and even greater than a full-size SUV – and entry is unmatched for a three-row automobile due to an unlimited door and a intelligent second-row sliding design (beneath, prime left). Mainly, a basketball staff can occupy each seat within the Buzz and be completely cozy for hours. Oh, and with the captain’s chairs, you possibly can stroll from the driving force seat all the way in which to the third row, old-school, due to the detachable heart console up entrance (beneath, backside left).
The third row is so spacious you possibly can slide it ahead (pictured beneath, backside proper) and nonetheless keep ample legroom. Doing so frees up cargo area, which as baggage take a look at czar, I’d reckon would in all probability equal about 30 cubic-feet (official figures should not but accessible).
All of the rear seats fold flat, however the third row can truly be absolutely eliminated, not like … properly, nearly something these days. An accessible “Flexboard” creates a flat flooring by bridging the hole between the folded third-row seatback and the liftgate. There are then two storage bins fitted within the ensuing area beneath.
With a much bigger van and a much bigger continent with larger efficiency and vary expectations comes a major enhance in VW’s electrical powertrain. Like the unique VW Bus, the motor is within the again, which is a cute factor to level out, however then the usual two-wheel-drive structure of most electrical automobiles sees the motor built-in throughout the rear axle. That’s the case with the smaller European ID. Buzz in addition to the ID.4, each of which get a rear motor good for 201 horsepower and a reasonably paltry 229 pound-feet of torque. The North American, three-row ID. Buzz will get a brand new rear motor good for 282 hp and a considerably extra strong 406 lb-ft of torque. This comes courtesy of stronger everlasting magnets throughout the rotor, a brand new stator with a water-cooling jacket, and a revised oil-and-water cooling system. VW didn’t state a 0-to-60 time, however all that additional grunt ought to shave a superb chunk off the Euro Buzz’s 10.2-second 0-100 km/h time even with the additional dimension.
Not like that Euro Buzz, nevertheless, our three-row Buzz will get the choice of a second motor positioned on the entrance axle and due to this fact all-wheel drive. VW solely said it will produce “about 330 hp,” which is one thing, however removed from the big-time bounce you get with another dual-motor EVs.
All that additional wheelbase isn’t only for inside area: It permits extra actual property to stuff batteries. Capability jumps from 82 kilowatt-hours within the Euro Buzz and ID.4, to 91 kWh. Count on vary figures of about 260 miles with rear-wheel drive and about 250 with the twin motor. That is solely barely lower than the ID.4, which can have much less battery capability however can be smaller and fewer highly effective.
Aside from its additional area, the inside design carries over from the Euro Buzz, however you possibly can neglect about its vibrant yellow and orange selections. Boo. The sunshine grey with orange-like “clay” accents is probably the most colourful it will get. The others are gentle brown seats with yellow piping, grey door inserts and a wood-look sprint; or a darkish brown and black combo with blue door inserts and wood-look sprint. If I might add a gif to this story it will be Homer Simpson going “BORING!”
What it lacks in shade, although, it can make up for in gentle. The accessible sunroof is 67.4 inches lengthy and 40.8 inches large, making it the largest accessible within the Volkswagen Group. Bear in mind, that features Audi and Bentley. A polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer modifications the glass’ opacity reasonably than having a sunshade. Might get toasty, however let’s not neglect the unique VW Bus might have as many as 23 home windows.
One other distinctive characteristic for the three-row mannequin is the power-operated sliding window throughout the sliding door home windows. Volkswagen touts this as a nod to the unique bus, which I suppose it’s, however actually, it’s a necessity as a result of want to keep up flush-mounted facet glass.
Just like the upcoming ID.7, the North American Buzz will get an up to date model of VW’s much-maligned (and rightfully so) touchscreen infotainment and automobile management system. The contact sliders at the moment are illuminated as a result of everybody complained about that ridiculous omission. Local weather features at the moment are docked on the backside of the show. There are additionally a wide range of different docked menu operations that ought to theoretically alleviate a number of the system’s horrid performance. Emphasis on theoretically. We’ll have to check out this up to date system to know for positive.
Sadly, carried over unchanged from the ID.4 are the ridiculous window controls on the driving force door (above, backside left) that make you first press a touch-sensitive “rear” icon to modify the 2 window switches from controlling the entrance home windows to controlling the rear sliders.
Pricing was not introduced, however don’t depend on a cut price. In addition to being an electrical, three-row automobile with a whimsical design that’ll actually command a premium, the Buzz doesn’t supply a bare-bones base mannequin just like the ID.4 does. The entrance seats are 12-way adjustable, heated, ventilated and massaging. The second row is heated, as is the steering wheel. Wi-fi charging, eight USB-C ports, and all the driving force help options are included, too.
We should always know that worth in addition to vary nearer to the on-sale date subsequent 12 months. No matter these particulars, although, we’re guessing you’ll need to get on the ready record as quickly as attainable. The 2025 VW ID. Buzz looks like it’s going to be a scorching ticket EV.
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