Volkswagen withdrew its traditional Transporter vans (Eurovan) from the American market after the 2003 mannequin 12 months, thus placing a quick finish to a romantic decades-long period of nice American street journeys. The tiny, breezy VW camper vans that had symbolized the open-ended freedom of the street have been no extra … not less than as far as brand-new fashions have been involved. The American camper van trade was by no means fairly the identical after that, scrambling its manner upmarket to bigger, extra personalized automobiles that now generally value above luxurious SUVs. However that darkish near-quarter century of American RV historical past is coming to an finish as Volkswagen declares a brand new manufacturing unit camper van.
Earlier than getting too excited, we should level out that Volkswagen is putting in its camper bundle into the ID. Buzz. You bear in mind, that little electrical van that Individuals appeared enthusiastic about proper up till it was accessible stateside they usually grew to become vigorously disinterested. V-Dub bought a mere 7,300 ID. Buzz models in North America in 2025 earlier than placing the mannequin on maintain for MY2026.
Except you observe automotive information day by day, you won’t have even realized the ID. Buzz was lacking. Really, until you reside someplace with an uncommonly excessive Buzz focus, you won’t have even recognized it launched in any respect. I’ve noticed perhaps two or three ID. Buzz vans regionally over the previous 12 months, a fraction of the traditional 80s-era Vanagons, hard-roof and pop-top, I spot recurrently.
We thought that MY2026 pause would possibly in the end finish a failed American ID. Buzz experiment, however VW remained true to its plan to return the ID. Buzz to market, full with the mannequin that America would possibly really need sufficient to purchase: a camper van.
We’re not completely certain why Volkswagen did not embrace a camper van mannequin as a part of its unique American ID. Buzz launch – even when patrons did not in the end run en masse to purchase them, it could have added some much-needed pleasure to a launch that ended up dragging out and fizzling almost eight years after the Buzz concept made its world premiere in Detroit. And it’d have made a pleasant halo for attracting clients that may have in the end pushed off in numerous VW fashions.
Volkswagen
As a result of even the super-simple ID. Buzz camper VW provides to its 2027 lineup seems to be fairly candy. It technically debuts because the Tourer 4Motion mannequin, with an included camper conversion equipment that is based mostly off the European-market Good Night Package. That equipment begins with a fold-out mattress that rests on a sleeping platform arrange atop the folded rear seats and tailgate ground. It additionally consists of window blinds to create a correctly darkish sleeping atmosphere, air flow panels built-in into the entrance home windows to make sure de-stuffing anti-condensation airflow, and an outside desk/chair set.
The Tourer 4Motion additional advantages from the addition of an In a single day Mode that adapts inside and exterior capabilities to in-van sleeping, presumably serving to with issues like in a single day local weather management, and an electrochromic good roof that ought to show an exquisite addition to stargazing whereas additionally working to dam daylight throughout these obligatory post-adventure wind-downs (i.e. afternoon naps).
Volkswagen completes the Tourer 4Motion trim with further commonplace options like a retractable tow hitch receiver, captain’s seats, Space View and 20-in darkish graphite wheels.
Volkswagen
The Tourer mannequin additionally beneficial properties a software program bump that advantages all the 2027 ID. Buzz lineup, which is slated to incorporate Professional S RWD, Professional S 4Motion and Professional S Plus 4Motion trims. The Android-based ID.S 6 software program bundle brings enhancements like a refreshed navigation dwelling display with faster inputs and a brand new automobile settings web page for faster entry to inside options.
The 2027 ID. Buzz lineup may also characteristic a North American Charging System (NACS) adapter and single-pedal driving. It is going to be accessible completely in two-tone paint schemes, together with a brand new Sweet White/Cherry Pink with white wheels that appears like a scrumptious homage to classic Kind 2 Microbuses.
Sadly, there is no phrase of pop-up roof or mini-kitchen choices, options patrons will nonetheless have to search out from third-party conversion outlets. However the truth that you will now give you the option stroll right into a Volkswagen dealership and roll out in an precise camper van is fairly large, welcome information in itself.
Volkswagen
Automakers like to trickle out the massive particulars piece at a time, so Volkswagen has not even vaguely alluded to pricing or availability dates. The 2025 ID. Buzz Professional S’ beginning MSRP of $61,545 and Professional S Plus 4Motion’s MSRP of $69,545 nonetheless really feel too excessive to extend the 234-mile (377-km) electrical van’s reputation any, but when Volkswagen can work beginning value all the way down to the sub-$49,000 base pricing to which dealerships have been discounting 2025 fashions, it begins to look significantly better. And a 335-hp all-wheel-drive mild e-camper for, say, $60K to $65K sounds fairly good to us.
However that may simply be wishful pondering. We’ll discover out quickly sufficient.
Within the meantime, you possibly can learn all about our expertise driving and tenting within the ID. Buzz (through an aftermarket Ququq camper equipment) in our 2024 review. And our auto evaluations editor Aaron Turpen had his own take from his time behind the ID. Buzz wheel on US roads.
Supply: Volkswagen
