While SUVs appear to have a firm grasp on the family-hauling segment of consumers, minivans aren’t completely a thing of the past. This may be in part due to compelling new offerings like the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and Toyota Sienna.
Both are electrified, but differently. The ID. Buzz, which is new for 2025, is fully electric, while the Sienna, long a mainstay, comes only as a hybrid. Each of these offers the capabilities and technologies minivan buyers want. Let’s check out the VW ID. Buzz and Toyota Sienna.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz
It’s tough to ignore the look of the ID. Buzz. It’s clearly inspired by the VW Bus of the 1960s, but it benefits from all of the safety, performance, and convenience features of today’s minivans.
Unlike its iconic predecessor, the ID. Buzz packs plenty of power, boasting 282 horsepower, with its overall range coming in at 234 miles on a full charge. Like others in the segment, it’s capable of seating up to seven passengers, although buyers can choose second-row captain’s chairs instead of a bench, which cuts the passenger count to six.
For the 2025 model year, the ID. Buzz is available in three main trims: Pro S, Pro S Plus, and 1st Edition. The Pro S Plus trim features a large head-up display, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, Area View, power sliding doors, and a power liftgate. The Pro S Plus and 1st Edition models can be had with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive in lieu of the standard rear-wheel drive.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Highlights
Look up: The ID. Buzz offers an electrochromic panoramic glass sunroof. It’s 67.4 inches long and 40.8 inches wide, which is to say it’s massive. With the flip of a switch, it goes from transparent to opaque.
Two choices: The all-electric minivan can be had in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The rear-wheel model travels 234 miles on a full charge, while the penalty for all-wheel mode is minimal: It is rated to go 231 miles.
Nostalgia: While the VW Bus is beloved, the ID. Buzz exudes a similar personality but is thoroughly modernized. It evokes the memory of the icon while exuding its own kind of fun, which isn’t said too often about a minivan.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the ID. Buzz models near you.
2025 Toyota Sienna
The Sienna has been a longtime favorite in the minivan segment. Its refined looks, excellent performance, and spacious cabin are just a few of the reasons it has earned our Best Buy Award in its class and a spot on our Best Family Car Award list.
To ensure it remains a top choice, it’s gotten a few updates for 2025, including a radar-based rear seat reminder, USB-C ports, Gen 5 wireless phone charging, and “Beyond Zero” exterior badging. The Beyond Zero badges refer to its hybrid powertrain.
The minivan comes in six trim levels: LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, XLE Woodland Edition, and Platinum. Each offers more options as you move up the ladder. The Sienna is ably powered by a 245-hp 4-cylinder hybrid mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which enables fuel economy of 36 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive form or 35 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Toyota Sienna Highlights
Keep it clean and cool: If you’ve driven a minivan for any length of time with children in it, you know that there will be some cleaning to be done after trips. In the Limited and Platinum models, the standard vacuum cleaner makes quick work of crumbs, scraps of paper, and more. Also, if you plan to head out on vacation or even a longer drive, the Sienna’s available FridgeBox ensures that cold beverages and other items are right at hand.
Easy access: Sliding side doors make it easy to get into and out of the Sienna. However, with the wave of a foot, you don’t even need a hand to open the sliders … or the rear tailgate, either.
Good to go: So often, a minivan is the family workhorse, carting family and friends to places near and far. The 245-hp 4-cylinder hybrid makes it a bit more affordable to do just that with its excellent fuel economy.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sienna models near you.
Similarities
The VW ID. Buzz and Toyota Sienna offer room for up to seven passengers, a slew of current safety and infotainment technology, available all-wheel drive, and plenty of style.
Pricing
New 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (10462)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$61,545 |
$59,649 |
|||
$65,045 |
TBD |
|||
$67,045 |
$64,980 |
|||
$69,545 |
TBD |
|||
$71,545 |
$69,627 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz vehicles and New 2025 Toyota Sienna vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz | 2025 Toyota Sienna | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Permanent magnet synchronous motor | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 282 hp | 245 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 413 lb-ft | 176 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm |
| Transmission | 1-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 90 MPGe city/75 MPGe highway/83 MPGe combined | 36 city/36 highway/36 combined mpg |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Battery Warranty | 8 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 127.5 inches | 120.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 195.4 inches | 203.7 inches |
| Width | 78.1 inches | 78.5 inches |
| Height | 76.2 inches | 68.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.4 feet | 38.3 feet |
| Headroom, 1st Row | 40.6 inches | 40.1 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 41.0 inches | 39.3 inches |
| Headroom 3rd Row | 38.7 inches | 37.4 inches |
| Legroom, 1st Row | 37.5 inches | 40.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.9 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 42.4 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 1st Row | 59.1 inches | 62.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.7 inches | 62.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 52.2 inches | 58.5 inches |
| Cargo Volume behind rear seat | 18.6 cubic feet | 33.5 cubic feet |
Conclusion
While each is a minivan, these are different machines. The all-electric ID. Buzz is a people carrier with some limitations, most of them related to the amount of time it will take to recharge spent batteries. The Buzz is also at least $15,000 more than the Sienna. The roomier Sienna is really a family hauler with a focus on keeping passengers of all ages comfortable and happy. Unless you love EVs and have a special affinity for the VW Bus, the Sienna is likely the top dog in this match-up for most families.
