2025 marks the 75th anniversary of when Volkswagen first rolled out their legendary Beetle-based bus. To a lot of people, it’s more than just a vehicle, but it morphed into a cultural icon, bringing back memories of the countercultural 1960s.
Now, VW is bringing it back this beloved classic, but with a modern twist: an all-electric version called the ID. Buzz.
But what a lot of people are wondering is if this new, modern-age bus can live up to the lengthy history that precedes it.
A Classic Reborn
The ID. Buzz isn’t just another electric vehicle hitting the market. Compared to other electric cars on the road, this one is full of history and is a nod to the past with a vision for the future.
From its paint job to the oversized VW logo, it looks like a modern tribute to the beloved microbus. That’s why car lovers and longtime VW fans are eager to see if it delivers on both nostalgia and next-gen performance.
For about $59,995, this bus could help you relive the days gone by with a modern twist. According to VW, this new version of the bus has five different paint colors to chose from, and comes with a suite of technology; something that can’t be found in the classic.
This microbus has been on the market for a few months now, debuting in November of 2024. Over the past few months, some VW fans have been able to get their hands on this modern edition, and seeing how they stack up to the past.
With such a storied past, it’s hard to make a new version of a cultural icon.
Billy Dava, a lifelong VW enthusiast, knows just how special these buses are. According to CBS Evening News, Dava and his son Noah rescued an old VW bus from a field in Arkansas, restoring it back to life. “It’s like part of the family,” Billy says, ranking his bus just below his kids in importance.
For fans like him, the ID. Buzz is more than a car — it’s a movement.
The First Impressions
A group of VW aficionados, known as the “Bus Bros,” recently took the ID. Buzz for a spin, and according to CBS, their reactions were priceless.
For these fans, the real-wood headliner and spacious interior instantly caught their attention right away. At 6’1″, one tester was amazed at how much room there was inside in bus, saying, “I fit comfortably, all the way in the back.”
Then came the test drive.
“Oh wow, this thing gets up and goes!” one enthusiast exclaimed, noting how effortlessly it accelerates compared to classic VW buses.
However, as one fan admitted, unlike its vintage counterpart, the ID. Buzz won’t struggle to merge onto the freeway.
Betting Big on Electric
Like other car brands on the market, Volkswagen is going all-in on electric, investing over $130 billion into its EV future.
Mark Gillies, a VW spokesperson, knows they can’t afford to get this car wrong. “You can’t bring back an icon and have it fail,” he says.
With the starting price around $60,000 and the fully-loaded versions nearing $70,000, the ID. Buzz isn’t a budget bus by any means. It’s a far cry from the affordable, adventure-ready VW vans of the past that attracted so many young people to the bus.
The question is if this higher price tag will turn buyers away?
Volkswagen doesn’t think so. “The people who want it will buy it,” says one company rep, confident that nostalgia and cutting-edge design will outweigh sticker shock.
Some fans took to Reddit to discuss the car once it hit the market. While many talked about their dreams of road tripping in the car, they also lamented that the car’s battery life wasn’t ideal for long-haul trips.
The Verdict: A Future Classic?
The ID. Buzz has all the ingredients of a modern icon with its style, performance, and the rich history that predates it.
The big question remains: Will the ID. Buzz become as legendary as its predecessor or will the differences from the original turn people away?
Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: this car is already turning heads and sparking conversations.
