2025 VW ID. Buzz Named Best Minivan by J.D. Power

In a standout achievement, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz clinched the Top Minivan title in J.D. Power’s prestigious U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study—and with good reason.

The ID. Buzz didn’t just win—it set a new record for APEAL scoring in the minivan category since the study’s redesign in 2020. Remarkably, it earned an APEAL Index score of 882, outpacing the segment average and dominating areas like powertrain performance and exterior design.

Related: 2025 ID. Buzz Recognized by Autotrader as Best New Car

What Makes the ID. Buzz So Appeals to Owners?

Emotional Design That Resonates

The APEAL Study focuses on how emotionally attached owners feel to their vehicles—covering factors like excitement, design appeal, comfort, and performance. The ID. Buzz scored highly across these dimensions.

Owners praised its retro-inspired styling—such as the bold two-tone exterior and iconic VW badge—alongside a smooth, powerful electric drivetrain and an intuitive, user-friendly interior

Powertrain & Performance

The ID. Buzz set the bar for the highest Powertrain Index score in the mass-market segment—an impressive feat that underscores its electric efficiency and driving comfort.

Interior Charm Meets Modern Tech

Featuring a spacious 3-row configuration accommodating up to seven passengers, the ID. Buzz impresses with flexible seat layouts (bench or captain seats), a 12.9-inch infotainment display, 30-color ambient lighting, IQ.DRIVE® driver assistance, and even Park Assist Plus with Memory Parking. Higher trims add sliding doors with Easy Open, a Harman Kardon™ audio system, and an electrochromic panoramic glass roof.

What Is the APEAL Study Anyway?

Launched over 30 years ago, the APEAL Study measures owners’ emotional satisfaction with their new vehicles after about 90 days of ownership. It evaluates more than 40 specific attributes grouped into 10 experience categories—ranging from “walking up to your vehicle” to “powertrain” and “infotainment.”

The study relies on responses from tens of thousands of owners—92,964 in the 2025 U.S. edition.

Volkswagen AG received three segment-level awards overall in APEAL: one for the ID. Buzz (minivan), and two others for Porsche models. This accomplishment underscores VW’s growing appeal.

Why This Matters: A Game-Changing Moment for EV Minivans

The ID. Buzz’s triumph defies typical trends—especially for new launch models, which often struggle with satisfaction gaps in infotainment and setup. Yet, this EV entered the market with a bang.

With its record-setting APEAL score, standout exterior, refined powertrain, and thoughtful tech, the ID. Buzz bridges nostalgia and innovation—making it a compelling choice for modern families. As Volkswagen Group of America’s CEO Kjell Gruner remarked:

“The ID. Buzz connects the legacy of the Volkswagen brand with the innovation of electric mobility, and customers are clearly responding to that,” said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “This recognition is a signal that emotional design, thoughtful technology, and electric performance can come together in a way that truly resonates with modern drivers.”