--- title: "VW California Cruise Is the ID Buzz Camper They Should’ve Built Yesterday" date: "2026-08-28" modified: "2026-08-28" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/vw-california-cruise-is-the-id-buzz-camper-they-shouldve-built-yesterday" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Volkswagen News" tags: - "camper" - "Electric Vehicle" - "ID Buzz" - "Van" - "Volkswagen" --- # VW California Cruise Is the ID Buzz Camper They Should’ve Built Yesterday ![Volkswagen ID California Cruise]() *\Volkswagen\* Since the earliest moment anyone ever laid eyes on the [Volkswagen ID Buzz](), the hope was that the company would lean into its legacy and sense of whimsy and offer the dang thing as a camper. This has taken VW longer than anyone would've expected—it's had quite a bit [on its plate as of late](), after all—but it's finally come around. Meet the ID California Cruise. First off, you'll notice the German plates on the vehicle in these images. That's because the ID California Cruise's first port of call won't be the Golden State, believe it or not—it'll be Germany. That said, Volkswagen is planning on [introducing a "Tourer" flavor]() of the Buzz as it [returns to the U.S. market]() for the 2027 model year, and that one will include a bed you can sleep on. All that to say, the Cali Cruise looks to be the same camper we'll get, just with a lamer name and a more compact footprint. This particular model is based on the ID Buzz Pro, with a number of tweaks to suit the needs of campers. There's the aforementioned mattress, fold-out table with two chairs, and blackouts on all windows. This van will also feature an exclusive California mode that allows you to run all power and lighting through the car and use climate control for extended periods when stationary. VW quotes 48 hours of continuous HVAC use on a full battery. ![]() ![]() ![]() Buyers will also get an electrochromic glass roof, which means it can change from opaque to transparent with the touch of a button. Normally I find these roofs gimmicky, but in a space you'd actually be living in, that seems quite useful. The ID California Cruise will retail for about 60,000 euros, which works out to about $70,000. As seen here, the package is applied to the short-wheelbase version of the Buzz, which we don't get on this side of the pond, packing a 79-kWh battery rated for a max range of 285 miles in the Buzz Pro. Considering the U.S. long-wheelbase model effectively started just over $60,000, we'd hope Volkswagen could figure out a way to offer our Tourer counterpart for a reasonable price. A mattress can't cost *that* much, right? ![]() ![]() ![]() *Got a news tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()