Honestly, looking at pictures of the new Volkswagen bus—officially known as the ID. Buzz—feels a bit like scrolling through a high-end interior design magazine from the year 2050. It’s vibrant. It’s chunky. It’s basically a giant rolling toaster that somehow manages to look incredibly cool.
But if you’ve been hunting for "2026" specific shots, there is a weird little twist you need to know about first.
While the rest of the world is getting refreshed models, Volkswagen actually hit the "pause" button on a 2026 model year for North America. Kjell Gruner, the CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, recently confirmed the ID. Buzz is skipping 2026 in the U.S. and Canada. They’re basically letting the current 2025 inventory breathe before bringing it back as a 2027 model.
Don't let that stop you from looking, though. The visuals we have right now—from the long-wheelbase (LWB) American version to the high-performance GTX trim overseas—are exactly what defines this new era of "Van Life."
Seeing the ID. Buzz in the Wild
When you see pictures of the new Volkswagen bus, the first thing that hits you is the two-tone paint. It isn't just a gimmick. It’s a direct nod to the original Type 2 Microbus.
In the real world, the Energetic Orange and Candy White combo is a total attention magnet. It looks less like a car and more like a statement. Most modern cars are a sea of depressing greys and blacks, so seeing a bright Pomelo Yellow or Mahi Green bus in a parking lot is a genuine mood booster.
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The U.S. version is specifically the long-wheelbase model. It measures about 192.4 inches long, which is roughly the same footprint as a VW Atlas but looks much larger because of that boxy silhouette.
Lighting that actually talks
One of the coolest things you’ll notice in close-up photos of the exterior is the "ID. Light." It’s a thin LED strip that runs across the dashboard. It’s not just for mood lighting; it pulses to tell you when the car is ready to drive, which way to turn for navigation, or how the battery charging is going.
The headlights are also "smart." On the higher trims like the Pro S Plus, the LED Matrix headlights actually "wink" at you when you walk up with the key. It’s a little cheesy, sure, but it gives the machine a personality that most SUVs completely lack.
The interior is where things get weird
Forget everything you know about minivan interiors. Most pictures of the new Volkswagen bus interior show a cabin that looks more like a Scandinavian lounge than a family hauler.
There are three main "color worlds" you'll see in the photos:
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- Dune: Very light, airy, and sea-salt vibes.
- Copper: Warm, brown tones that feel a bit more "luxury."
- Moonlight: Darker, moody blacks and greys with white piping.
One detail people often miss in photos is the "Easter Eggs." VW hid little silhouettes of the bus in the plastic trim and on the removable center console (the "Buzz Box"). The floor is completely flat, too. Because the batteries are tucked into the floorboard, there is no "hump" in the middle, making it feel massive inside.
The massive glass roof
If you see an overhead shot of the bus, you’ll notice a gigantic panoramic sunroof. It’s one of the largest in the industry. It uses electrochromic glass, meaning there’s no physical fabric shade. You just swipe a button on the ceiling, and the glass turns opaque using a layer of liquid crystals.
It feels like a magic trick.
Performance vs. expectation
Let’s get real for a second. The pictures of the new Volkswagen bus make it look fast—like a futuristic sports van. In reality, it’s a heavy beast. The rear-wheel-drive version puts out about 282 horsepower, while the 4Motion all-wheel-drive bumps that to 335 hp.
It’s peppy enough for a van, but it isn't a Tesla Plaid.
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The range is where most people get hung up. Official EPA estimates for the U.S. model sit around 230 to 234 miles. For a long road trip, that means you're going to be spending some quality time at Electrify America stations.
What the photos don't show you
You can’t see the weight in a picture. This van weighs nearly 6,000 pounds. That’s a lot of mass, and while the low center of gravity makes it feel stable, you definitely feel that heft when you're braking or taking a sharp corner.
You also don't see the "cost-cutting" quirks.
Henry Man, a noted auto reviewer, pointed out that VW used a controversial window switch setup. Instead of four separate buttons for the four windows, the driver has two buttons and a "Rear" toggle. It’s a bit of a headache to use while driving, and it’s one of those things a glossy photo will never tell you.
How to actually get one
Since there won't be a 2026 model year in North America, your best bet is to look for remaining 2025 stock or wait for the 2027 refresh.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Local Inventory: Since VW is skipping 2026, dealers are currently managing their 2025 stock. This might be your best window for a "deal," though these vans usually carry a heavy markup.
- Test the "Buzz Box": If you go see one, try removing the center console. It’s designed to be popped out and used as a stool or moved between the rows.
- Verify the Color in Person: Colors like Cabana Blue look very different under fluorescent showroom lights versus natural sunlight. Always ask for a "real world" photo from the salesperson before driving out.
The ID. Buzz is a rare case where the production car actually looks like the concept art. It's expensive, starting around $60,000, but if you want to be the person everyone stares at at the stoplight, this is the bus to do it in.