2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo Evaluation: Just How Functional Is It?

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      The 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz is an electric vehicle, somewhat of a luxury item, and currently a rarity on American roads. However, it is fundamentally a van. It generates noticeable wind noise, has a somewhat stiff ride, and offers ample space for six or seven passengers. We took the opportunity to load various items into one to give you an idea of the ID Buzz’s cargo capacity.

      For insights into the van's driving characteristics and controls, check out our initial driving impressions. We also loaded six dogs into the vehicle for their feedback. While not a canine, my friend Jerry Perez will soon provide a comprehensive, week-long review here on The Drive.

      Additionally, we conducted this test prior to a stop-sale being enacted after regulators found the rear seat too wide for two people. Thus, the third row shown in our photos may not be available at Volkswagen dealerships. Now, let’s discuss cargo capacity.

      We gathered a selection of bulky items as examples. Andrew P. Collins

      VW ID Buzz Cargo Configurations

      The American version of the ID Buzz features three seating rows. Even with all the seats upright, it can accommodate at least four reasonably sized duffel bags. Behind the third row, there’s a spring-loaded shelf above soft storage boxes that pull out like drawers. They resemble items you'd purchase at Target for a college student's dorm—not particularly stylish but practical.

      The ski boots provide a good indication of the size of those boxes—one pair fits just right. Andrew P. Collins

      To transition the Buzz from passenger to cargo mode, simply fold down the seatbacks. This creates a deep and fairly tall space without the hassle of removing anything. The floor is relatively flat. Ideally, a single large piece that could lay over the seatbacks would be useful for camping or transporting items that need to slide into the van. Unfortunately, such an accessory does not seem to be available at the moment, but making one from thick birch or a similar material would be straightforward.

      Removing the rear shelf and third-row seats offers significantly more space, particularly increasing the cargo height in the back. While it’s not particularly difficult to remove these parts, it does require some effort. The shelf detaches with two large thumb screws, which is a straightforward yet slightly tedious task. The rear seats involve a more complicated process, requiring several movements to fold, slide, and release them.

      Once free, the seats are quite heavy, so it’s advisable to lift them with caution using your legs instead of your back. (This advice is especially pertinent since I believe anyone interested in, and capable of purchasing, an ID Buzz is likely over 50.)

      There are several steps involved in removing the rear seats. It can be a bit bothersome, but it becomes easier with practice. Andrew P. Collins

      In this cargo configuration, you’ll be prepared for almost anything. I would suggest placing a tarp down before loading messy items, but even without it, there’s little that can scrape or damage the interior. The spacious interior of the ID Buzz can accommodate items such as wheels, a full-sized office chair, or a significant number of rectangular boxes. A large bicycle fits inside, although transporting bikes in any car is impractical—they’re often dirty and awkwardly shaped. Nonetheless, if you resist getting a bike rack, you can scroll through the gallery below to see how well a large full-suspension mountain bike fits inside.

      The final step in converting to cargo mode would be to remove the second-row seat bench. While this is certainly doable—the bolts securing the seat to the van’s body appear accessible—it would require a breaker bar to loosen them, and VW representatives informed me that these seats are not designed for customer removal.

      Removing and reinstalling the rear shelf is a simple task that can be done manually, though the bolts are quite long which means you’ll be twisting them for a while. Andrew P. Collins

      I opted not to attempt this, and most owners are likely to feel the same—this presents a significant missed opportunity. The ability to easily remove the second-row captain's chairs for larger cargo loads, or to take out the middle seats while leaving the third row in place for a limousine-like setup, was something my family loved about our previous van: a first-gen Honda Odyssey from 1995.

      VW ID Buzz Interior Dimensions

      These measurements provide an overview of the ID Buzz’s usable interior space. On the left, I’ve illustrated the height and depth of the cargo area with all seats folded, while on the right, you can see the size of the space behind the second row when the third row is removed. The cargo area measures about 57 inches wide at its widest point, although the door width is 48 inches.

      My mom suggests these can be displayed on the fridge. Andrew P. Collins

      Here’s How Various Items Fit In The VW ID Buzz