Our Long-Term 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz vs. the Chrysler Pacifica: Minivan Engineers Compare the Two
The engineers who helped define the modern minivan assess whether VW’s retro electric van gets the packaging basics right.
We’ve had a lot of fun road-tripping and camping in our 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz, and talking to the passersby it attracts, but how well does it work as a minivan? In his previous career, your faithful scribe helped develop Chrysler’s NS minivan, working in the advanced vehicle packaging group. As luck would have it, most of my chain of command on the engineering org chart—the real decision makers on that program—are still willing to take my calls and agreed to come assess the Buzz’s relative strengths and weaknesses as a minivan.
As a frame of reference, we brought along our NS’ great-grandson—which is still the segment sales leader after 10 years with a minor face-lift or two—a 2027 Chrysler Pacifica.
Meet Our Experts
Camille White: Then manager, Vehicle Packaging, Minivan Platform. My former direct manager, who helped institute the then novel concept of presenting the design office with science-based reach and vision curves depicting where best to position contr...