If you’re curious how the 2024–2025 VW ID Buzz actually performs in range tests, you’re not alone. On paper, VW’s retro electric minivan promises up to 234 miles of EPA range in the U.S. and roughly 250–295 miles WLTP in Europe. But the Buzz has the aerodynamic grace of a small apartment building, and that shows up in real‑world tests, especially on the highway.
Quick context: model years vs calendar years
VW ID Buzz Range at a Glance
2024–2025 VW ID Buzz Range Snapshot
Battery Size and Official Range Ratings
Under the floor, the U.S.‑spec ID Buzz carries a 91 kWh gross battery pack with about 86 kWh usable. That’s broadly similar in energy to a lot of midsize electric SUVs, but you’re pushing around a taller, boxier van, so efficiency, and therefore range, is lower than something like an ID.4 crossover.
Official VW ID Buzz Range & Efficiency Ratings
How the 2024–2025 VW ID Buzz is rated in the U.S. and Europe.
| Market / Cycle | Configuration | Battery (usable) | Official Range | Efficiency Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. EPA | RWD (Pro S LWB) | ≈86 kWh | 234 miles | 83 MPGe combined (≈2.5 mi/kWh) |
| U.S. EPA | AWD 4Motion | ≈86 kWh | 231 miles | 80 MPGe combined |
| Europe WLTP | Standard wheelbase Pro | 77 kWh | 250–257 miles (418–421 km) | 18.4–18.8 kWh/100 km |
| Europe WLTP | Cargo | 79 kWh | Up to 276 miles (444 km) | ~18 kWh/100 km |
| Europe WLTP | Long wheelbase | ≈85 kWh | Up to ~295 miles (474 km) | Low‑20 kWh/100 km |
EPA ratings are more conservative than Europe’s WLTP test, and tall vehicles like the Buzz tend to see bigger real‑world highway penalties than sleeker EVs.
EPA vs WLTP: which number should you trust?
Real-World Range Tests: What Reviewers Are Seeing
Across early drives and media tests, the ID Buzz tends to meet or slightly beat VW’s own efficiency claims in mixed driving. That’s notable because VW has a history of under‑promising range on some of its EVs, including ID.4 and Audi e‑tron. In practice, a lot comes down to how much time you spend on faster roads.
Mixed-Driving Range Test Results
How the Buzz behaves in real‑world loops that blend city and highway driving.
Urban + suburban loops
On routes with lots of 25–45 mph driving, gentle acceleration, and frequent stops, testers regularly see 2.7–3.0 mi/kWh. With ~86 kWh usable, that’s roughly 230–255 miles before you’re truly empty.
Mixed city + highway
On 40–60 mph rural roads, occasional freeway, and some town driving, efficiency around 2.5–2.7 mi/kWh is common, putting you in the 215–235 mile ballpark on a full charge.
Heavy freeway bias
When the Buzz spends most of its time above 65 mph, especially with passengers and luggage, you’re more likely to see 2.1–2.4 mi/kWh, or roughly 180–205 miles per charge.
Don’t fixate on 0–100%
Highway 75 mph Range Test Results
Tall, slab‑sided vans are at their worst on interstate road trips, and the ID Buzz is no exception. Independent 75 mph range testing of U.S.‑spec long‑wheelbase vans paints a consistent picture: you’re generally looking at 180–190 miles from 100% down to “empty” at true freeway speeds.
75 mph Highway Range Results for VW ID Buzz
Representative results from instrumented 75 mph highway range testing on U.S.‑spec long‑wheelbase vans.
| Configuration | EPA Rating | Observed 75 mph Range | Implied Efficiency | Highway Penalty vs EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWD (single motor) | 234 mi | ~180 mi | ≈2.1–2.2 mi/kWh | ~23% below EPA |
| AWD 4Motion (dual motor) | 231 mi | ~190 mi | ≈2.2–2.3 mi/kWh | ~18% below EPA |
These figures assume calm weather and normal traffic, starting at 100% and running until the pack is effectively depleted.
Why highway hurts the Buzz so much
Charging Speed and How It Offsets Range
Range is only half the story on a road trip. The other half is how quickly you can add range back. Here the Buzz does better than its modest EPA number would suggest, thanks to a relatively large pack and fast DC charging.
- Max DC fast‑charge power: up to 200 kW on capable 400 V chargers.
- Typical 10–80% fast‑charge session: about 26–30 minutes under ideal conditions.
- AC charging at home: up to 11 kW on a 48‑amp Level 2 circuit, giving roughly 30–35 miles of recharge per hour.
- Thermal pre‑conditioning: the Buzz can warm or cool the pack before a planned DC fast‑charge stop to maintain higher charge rates.
Think in legs, not total range
City vs Highway: How Driving Profile Changes Range
City & Suburban Driving
- Lots of opportunities for regen braking to recapture energy.
- Speeds stay mostly in the 25–45 mph band, where aero drag is modest.
- Climate control loads are a bigger share of total consumption, but that’s true for any EV.
- Realistically, you can often match or beat EPA efficiency in this use case.
Highway & Mountain Driving
- Above 65–70 mph, frontal area and boxy shape really hurt the Buzz.
- Headwinds and crosswinds can knock another 10–15% off your usable range.
- Long climbs will temporarily spike consumption; regen on the way back down only partially offsets it.
- Plan stops every 130–170 miles in challenging terrain for a comfortable buffer.
Weather, Passengers and Cargo: Real-World Penalties
Family vans rarely run around empty on a 65‑degree day. The ID Buzz’s range story gets more nuanced once you factor in cold weather, full seats, roof boxes, and trailers.
Key Factors That Cut ID Buzz Range
Cold weather and winter tires
Below freezing, cabin heating and a cold battery can easily cut usable range by <strong>20–30%</strong>. Add aggressive winter tires and slush, and a 234‑mile EPA van can feel more like a 150–170 mile vehicle between charges.
Full cabin and cargo
Hauling six or seven people plus luggage bumps weight and increases energy needed to accelerate and climb hills. The hit is smaller than aero drag at speed, but over a long trip you may lose another <strong>5–10%</strong> range vs driving solo.
Roof racks and boxes
Anything jutting into the airstream on a vehicle this tall is a double penalty. Roof boxes or bike racks can trim another <strong>10–15%</strong> off highway range. In extreme cases, you might be looking at <strong>120–150 miles</strong> of comfortable highway legs in bad conditions.
Trailer towing
The ID Buzz is rated to tow moderate loads, but like any EV, <strong>towing can cut range in half</strong> depending on trailer size and speed. Think road‑trip legs in the 90–130 mile window when pulling something boxy.
Always protect your winter buffer
Battery Longevity: What We Know From VW Packs
There isn’t yet a huge fleet of high‑mileage ID Buzz vans to study, but we do have useful data from VW’s other MEB‑platform vehicles using similar chemistry and pack architecture. A long‑term test of a 77 kWh VW ID.3, driven more than 100,000 miles over four years, found the pack retained around 91% of its original capacity despite frequent fast‑charging and some time spent at 100%.
VW warranty documents back this up with a typical 8‑year/160,000 km (≈100,000 mile) warranty to 70% capacity on high‑voltage batteries. In the real world, most owners are seeing significantly better outcomes than that floor. For a future used‑ID Buzz buyer, that’s encouraging: even a well‑driven van may only lose a few percent of range over its first decade, assuming it’s been charged and stored reasonably.
What this means for used ID Buzz shoppers
Is the ID Buzz Range Good Enough for Family Duty?
Daily life and local adventures
For school runs, commuting, errands, and weekend hikes, the Buzz’s range is more than adequate. Plug in at home on Level 2, and you’ll wake up every morning with 180–220 miles of practical range on tap, plenty even for sprawling suburbs.
If you’re replacing an aging gas minivan that rarely goes more than 80–100 miles in a day, you’ll likely feel liberated, not constrained.
Road‑tripping and camping duty
On true cross‑country runs, the story is mixed. Range in the high‑100s at 75 mph is usable, especially combined with 200 kW fast‑charging, but rivals like the Kia EV9 or some three‑row crossovers can cover 220–260 miles per leg.
If your family does one or two big road trips per year, the Buzz will do the job with a bit more planning. If you’re a constant highway warrior, it’s worth asking whether the charm and packaging offset the extra stops.
Shopping a Future Used ID Buzz: What to Look For
Although U.S. sales are currently paused between the 2025 and 2027 model years, the Buzz will eventually filter into the used market here just like it already has in Europe. When that happens, the same fundamentals we emphasize for any used EV will matter even more on a tall, range‑sensitive van like this.
Range & Battery Checks for a Used ID Buzz
Get an independent battery health report
Don’t rely solely on the in‑car range guess. A diagnostic like the <strong>Recharged Score</strong> looks at battery capacity, fast‑charge history, and usage patterns so you know how much range you’re really buying.
Ask how it was charged
A Buzz that lived on <strong>home Level 2</strong> and only fast‑charged on road trips will typically show less degradation than one that fast‑charged daily. Occasional DC use is fine; constant super‑high‑rate charging is what you want to understand.
Match range to your real use case
If your daily driving is under 80–100 miles, even a slightly degraded Buzz is more than enough. If you’re planning frequent 200‑mile interstate stints, you’ll want a pack that’s still close to factory capacity, and realistic expectations about winter range.
Check tires and aero add‑ons
Oversized off‑road tires, lift kits, roof racks, and cargo boxes are all range killers. If a used Buzz has been heavily accessorized, budget for <strong>reversing some of those mods</strong> if highway range matters to you.
Verify software updates
VW’s over‑the‑air updates can improve charging curves and cold‑weather efficiency. Make sure any used Buzz has an up‑to‑date software history so you’re not missing out on free efficiency gains.
Leverage marketplace transparency
2024 VW ID Buzz Range FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About ID Buzz Range
Bottom Line on 2024 VW ID Buzz Range
The 2024–2025 VW ID Buzz is not a range champion, and it was never going to be. You’re pushing around a tall, wide, nostalgia‑soaked box, and on a 75 mph interstate that physics bill comes due with real‑world legs in the high‑100s. But in everyday mixed driving, the Buzz generally meets or slightly exceeds its efficiency estimates, and its fast‑charging capability makes its modest range far more livable than the EPA sticker alone suggests.
If your priority is maximum miles per charge, there are sleeker, longer‑legged three‑row EVs to consider. If what you’re after is a uniquely practical electric family hauler whose range is "good enough", supported by robust charging and, eventually, transparent used‑market data, the ID Buzz still makes a compelling case. And when these vans start showing up used, pairing one with a verified battery‑health report and fair‑market pricing through a marketplace like Recharged will be the best way to enjoy the Buzz’s character without any range‑related surprises.
