Volkswagen Buzz: Is This the Electric Van You've Been Waiting For?

I finally got behind the wheel of the **Volkswagen Buzz**, and I have thoughts. After years of teasers and concept photos, the electric minivan is here—and it’s a head-turner. But does it deliver where it counts? Range, practicality, price? I spent a week with the Buzz to find out. Here’s my honest take.

First Impressions of the Volkswagen Buzz

Walking up to the Volkswagen Buzz in a parking lot feels like seeing a retro-futuristic artifact. The two-tone paint, the upright stance, the smiling front end—it’s unmistakably a Microbus for the 21st century. I climbed into the driver’s seat, and the cabin immediately felt airy and spacious. Huge windows, a low dash, and that iconic steering wheel design. The Buzz isn’t trying to hide its minivan roots; it celebrates them.

On the road, the Volkswagen Buzz drives more like a compact SUV than a full-size van. The steering is light, the turning radius is tight, and the suspension absorbs bumps without wallowing. It’s genuinely fun to drive around town. I took it on the highway, and while the boxy shape creates some wind noise above 70 mph, it’s not oppressive. The electric motor provides instant torque, so merging and passing feel effortless. But the real test is range.

Volkswagen Buzz Pricing and Range

Let’s talk numbers. The base rear-wheel-drive Volkswagen Buzz starts around $59,995 for the 2025 model. That’s not cheap—it’s in the same ballpark as the Rivian R1S and well above a standard minivan. But you get a lot of EV for the money: an EPA-estimated 234 miles of range on the 82 kWh battery. In my real-world mixed driving, I saw about 220 miles, which is decent for a brick-shaped vehicle. Fast-charging at 170 kW can get you from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes—if you can find a reliable charger.

For context, the Kia EV9 offers similar range for a little less cash, and the upcoming Honda Prologue will undercut the Buzz by a few thousand dollars. But neither has the nostalgic cool factor. The Volkswagen Buzz also comes with a standard heat pump, which helps in cold weather. And the cargo space is massive—over 100 cubic feet behind the front seats. If you need to haul a family of five plus luggage, the Buzz does it without breaking a sweat.

Is the Volkswagen Buzz Right for You?

After a week with the Volkswagen Buzz, I think it’s a fantastic vehicle if you value personality and space above outright efficiency or price. The third-row seats are actually usable for adults on short trips, and the sliding rear doors make school drop-offs a breeze. Tech features include a 12.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a head-up display. The driver-assistance suite is comprehensive, though lane-keeping can be a bit aggressive.

But there are trade-offs. The rear-wheel drive model has less traction in snow than all-wheel drive (coming later in 2025). The interior storage is clever but not class-leading—the frunk is tiny. And the range, while adequate, isn’t up to Tesla or Lucid standards. For road trips, you’ll need to plan charging stops carefully. Still, if you’re looking for an electric van that makes you smile every time you get in, the Volkswagen Buzz is hard to beat.

Real-World Ownership Considerations

I chatted with a couple who recently took delivery of their Volkswagen Buzz for a weekend getaway. They loved the attention it got, but they noted that the charging network was spotty on their route. They spent an extra hour on a 400-mile trip because of a broken charger. That’s not unique to the Buzz—it’s an EV infrastructure issue—but it’s worth mentioning. If you have a home charger, the Buzz is a dream daily driver. The cabin is quiet, the ride is smooth, and the regenerative braking is adjustable from mild to one-pedal driving.

Maintenance should be minimal: no oil changes, fewer moving parts. Volkswagen offers a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty and 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. I’d recommend the Pro S Plus trim for the premium audio and ventilated seats, but the base Pro S is already well-equipped. Just be prepared for a wait—demand is high and production is limited.

Final Verdict on the Volkswagen Buzz

The Volkswagen Buzz isn’t the most practical, cheapest, or longest-range EV on the market. But it’s the one that makes people stop and stare, and it drives with a character that few electric vehicles have. If you’re looking for a minivan that doesn’t feel like a minivan, the Buzz is it. I’d give it a 8.5 out of 10, deducting points for price and charging infrastructure frustrations. For families who want to go electric with style, the Volkswagen Buzz is a fantastic choice. Go test drive one—you might just order it on the spot.