The Ultimate 2025 Family EV Showdown: Volkswagen ID. Buzz Challenges Kia EV9’s Reign
The automotive landscape of 2025 is electrifying, quite literally, and for fami
lies seeking sustainable, spacious, and technologically advanced transportation, the choices are more compelling than ever. Two titans stand out in the burgeoning three-row electric segment, each carving a distinct path: the much-anticipated 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the established, award-winning 2024 (and continuing into 2025) Kia EV9. While one evokes nostalgic charm with a futuristic twist and the other embodies a bold, modern SUV aesthetic, at their core, both are designed to move people and redefine family travel in the electric era.
As a seasoned automotive analyst with over a decade immersed in the evolution of electric vehicles, I’ve witnessed firsthand the rapid advancements in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and vehicle design. The ID. Buzz, an all-new offering for the 2025 model year, rekindles the spirit of VW’s iconic Microbus, re-imagined for an electric future. Our test of the Pro S Plus AWD trim revealed an EPA-estimated range of 231 miles, powered by a 91-kWh battery delivering 335 horsepower. Its DC fast-charging capability peaks at a respectable 200 kW, with an as-tested price hovering around $70,540, positioning it firmly in the premium family EV segment.
On the other side of the ring, the Kia EV9, a groundbreaking electric SUV that debuted as a 2024 model and carries its momentum into 2025, has already set high benchmarks. Our long-term Land AWD test vehicle, equipped with a 99.8-kWh battery, boasts an EPA-estimated range of 280 miles and a more potent 379 horsepower. With DC fast-charging at up to 210 kW, its as-tested price of $74,305 places it slightly above the ID. Buzz, though subtle market adjustments for the 2025 model year might fine-tune this.
These vehicles, despite their visual differences—the retro-futuristic charm of the ID. Buzz van versus the sharp, angular presence of the EV9 SUV—present a fascinating comparison for discerning buyers. They are both engineered as purpose-built electric people movers, offering solutions for families navigating daily commutes, weekend adventures, and the occasional longer journey. Our comprehensive evaluation dives deep into their real-world capabilities, from the tactile experience of their interiors to their driving dynamics and crucial cold-weather efficiency, to help you determine which electric family vehicle truly reigns supreme in 2025.
Interior Space and Unrivaled Comfort: The ID. Buzz’s Domain
When it comes to pure occupant space across all three rows, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz asserts a clear dominance. Stepping into the driver’s seat of the ID. Buzz feels akin to ascending into a command center, with a high seating position that offers a commanding view. While some drivers might initially find the climb-in height warrants consideration for optional running boards, the resulting upright driving posture, reminiscent of a classic delivery van, contributes to its unique character. One minor ergonomic quibble arises from the steeply raked windshield and extended roofline, which can sometimes obscure overhead traffic lights, requiring a slight head tilt for visibility—a quirk you quickly adapt to.
While the ID. Buzz’s seats may not deliver the plush, enveloping comfort found in the EV9’s front and second rows, they are nonetheless well-padded and supportive for various body types, providing excellent comfort for daily use. The true revelation, however, lies in its sheer passenger volume. The ID. Buzz’s third row is remarkably accommodating, offering legroom and headroom that rivals the EV9’s second row. This isn’t just a space for children; full-sized adults can comfortably occupy the ID. Buzz’s rearmost seats for extended periods without complaint.
In stark contrast, the Kia EV9’s third row, while functional, is best suited for younger passengers or adults on shorter trips. While it’s possible for adults to make it work by having second-row occupants slide their seats forward, it remains a considerably tighter affair than the expansive ID. Buzz. The EV9’s front seats, with their superior cushioning and ergonomic contours, undeniably provide a slight edge in driver and front passenger comfort, a critical factor for long commutes and road trips. The EV9’s second-row ventilated captain’s chairs, integrated window sunshades, and a dual moonroof creating an open, airy cabin, offer a premium experience. However, the sheer cubic footage for passengers in the ID. Buzz—especially evident in the second row, which feels significantly more expansive than the EV9’s already generous offering—tips the scales decisively in favor of the Volkswagen for maximum people-hauling priority. The longer wheelbase of the ID. Buzz is expertly utilized here, prioritizing genuine three-row functionality above all else.
In-Cabin Storage and Everyday Utility: The EV9’s Practical Edge
While the ID. Buzz excels in raw passenger volume, the 2024/2025 Kia EV9 takes the crown for thoughtful and practical in-cabin storage solutions. Its front center console is a masterclass in organization, providing ample dedicated space for small personal items, drinks, and larger essentials, complemented by an open lower storage area beneath the console itself. This design caters directly to the myriad items families carry, from tablets and snacks to purses and water bottles.
The ID. Buzz, despite its overall spaciousness and airy interior, surprisingly falls short in dedicated small-item storage. The central console between the front seats is relatively compact, and its integrated storage compartments aren’t as capacious or intuitively designed as those in the EV9. While the VW’s movable center console is a novel concept, it feels somewhat under-optimized, and the absence of a dedicated second-row console means passengers often have to share the singular front unit. Quirkier touches, like dividers in the console bin that double as a bottle opener and an ice scraper, are undeniably fun and align with the Buzz’s whimsical character, but they lack the sheer practicality found in the EV9’s more conventional, yet highly effective, approach. Furthermore, the nearly hidden wireless phone charger, tucked beside the steering wheel, proved frustrating for larger phones with robust cases (like an iPhone 12 with an Otterbox), making secure placement a challenge—a minor but persistent annoyance for daily use.
Ultimately, the EV9’s more traditional yet highly efficient storage architecture, featuring larger console bins, ample under-console space, and better-integrated slide-out trays for second-row passengers, makes it a more functional companion for the demands of family life. It’s a testament to design that prioritizes everyday utility over novelty, a crucial factor for the best electric family car 2025.
User Interface and Seamless Technology Integration: Kia EV9 Leads the Way
In the increasingly digitized automotive world, the user interface (UI) can make or break the driving experience, especially for a luxury electric SUV like these. The 2024/2025 Kia EV9 maintains a commendable balance between modern touchscreen functionality and essential physical controls, earning it a significant advantage in usability. Its widescreen infotainment system is intuitive, featuring clear menus and responsive touch input. Crucially, Kia has retained physical buttons for frequently accessed features such as climate control temperature, fan speed, and seat heating/ventilation—controls you want at your fingertips without diverting attention from the road. While the small climate system touch panel on the dashboard can be partially obscured by the steering wheel, these controls can be conveniently expanded to the central touchscreen, offering a workaround. The steering wheel, however, did occasionally block the digital dashboard’s camera views when turn signals were engaged, a minor oversight in an otherwise well-designed system.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, while featuring a visually appealing touchscreen with vibrant colors and reasonably intuitive tile menus, suffers from an over-reliance on touch-sensitive controls beyond the main screen. This approach, seen in other contemporary VW models, continues to be a source of frustration. The touch-sensitive steering-wheel controls, which can inadvertently activate features like cruise control with an accidental swipe, demand an unnecessarily precise touch. Similarly, the haptic sliders for volume and temperature, while responsive, lack the tactile feedback and precision of physical buttons, making on-the-go adjustments less intuitive and potentially distracting. The system also occasionally presents unnecessary pauses when adjusting climate settings and has been known to lock up briefly for “safety reasons,” interrupting the flow of interaction. Some common functions are also buried several layers deep within menus, requiring more steps than necessary.
From an expert’s perspective, the EV9’s blend of digital and analog controls represents a more mature and ergonomic EV design, prioritizing safety and ease of use for the family driver. The ID. Buzz’s system, while technologically advanced, sometimes sacrifices immediate usability for a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, creating a steeper learning curve and potential for frustration during everyday operation. The difference highlights a fundamental divergence in design philosophy: Kia’s practical integration versus Volkswagen’s bold, perhaps sometimes overly ambitious, digital leap.
Interior Quality and Material Excellence: A Refined Edge for the EV9
At the $70,000+ price point, discerning buyers expect a certain level of premium EV interiors and craftsmanship, and both the ID. Buzz and EV9 deliver, albeit with subtle distinctions. The 2024/2025 Kia EV9 consistently impresses with its material quality, featuring soft-touch surfaces strategically placed where arms and hands naturally rest. The overall tactile experience feels robust and durable, a crucial factor for a family-friendly electric car designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. Despite more than 10,000 miles on our long-term test vehicle, the interior exhibits minimal wear, without creaks or rattles, affirming its build quality. However, the all-gray interior color scheme, while sophisticated, can feel a bit understated compared to the more vibrant and varied palette offered in the ID. Buzz.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, in contrast, presents a more playful and visually engaging interior. While solidly built, it incorporates a greater proportion of hard plastics, particularly on lower trim panels and less frequently touched surfaces. That said, the visually interesting patterns and use of brighter, more colorful materials on key touchpoints provide a more lively and youthful ambiance. The ID. Buzz embraces a sustainable car materials narrative, with many surfaces incorporating recycled content, which aligns with modern Volkswagen electrification strategy but can sometimes translate to a less traditional “premium” feel.
In a head-to-head comparison, the EV9’s more consistent application of soft-touch, higher-quality upholstery throughout its cabin gives it a slight but noticeable edge in perceived luxury and long-term durability. While the ID. Buzz’s interior is well-executed and visually appealing, the EV9’s cabin feels just a touch more upscale, justifying its slightly higher price tag in terms of interior craftsmanship electric vehicle standards. Both are excellent, but the EV9 leans more into quiet, understated luxury, while the ID. Buzz aims for vibrant, feel-good design.
Cargo Versatility and Cavernous Capacity: ID. Buzz Takes the Hauling Crown
For families, EV cargo capacity is paramount, and here the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz truly shines, offering unparalleled versatility, particularly when its third row isn’t needed for passengers. While measured cargo space behind the third row is similar for both EVs—around 10 cubic feet by Cars.com’s measurements—the ID. Buzz transforms into a cavernous hauler once those seats are folded or, more dramatically, removed entirely.
The ID. Buzz features a clever cargo shelf that creates a flat load floor, aligning with the folded third-row seatbacks. While this shelf aids in organization, it does raise the load floor significantly. Below it, soft-sided storage bins offer additional utility, though their fabric construction might raise concerns about long-term cleanliness. With the third row folded, the ID. Buzz boasts 30.8 cubic feet of cargo space. However, the real game-changer is the ability to completely remove the third-row seats, unlocking a colossal 48.9 cubic feet of space by our measurements—more than double the EV9’s 23.4 cubic feet with its third row stowed. This modularity makes the ID. Buzz an incredible electric van versatility choice for families that frequently haul large items, sports equipment, or even move furniture. The trade-off: each third-row section is heavy, weighing approximately 60 pounds, and requires a dedicated storage solution outside the vehicle. Unsurprisingly for its van architecture, the ID. Buzz does not offer a frunk.
The 2024/2025 Kia EV9, by contrast, offers a more conventional, yet still highly capable, cargo area akin to a traditional three-row SUV. It provides a generous amount of space behind its third row and expands significantly when those seats are folded flat. It also features convenient underfloor storage and a small but useful frunk utility EV that can house charging cables or smaller items. While the EV9’s cargo area is ample for most family needs, it simply cannot match the sheer volume and adaptability of the ID. Buzz once the latter’s third row is completely removed. For family adventure vehicle duties that require maximum gear capacity, the ID. Buzz is the undisputed champion.
Driving Dynamics and Refined Comfort: A Surprising Agility from the Buzz
The electric vehicle handling and ride comfort are crucial considerations, even for family EV options. Here, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz delivered a genuinely pleasant surprise, proving remarkably agile and refined for a vehicle of its stature. Even in its default Comfort drive mode, the ID. Buzz felt more immediately responsive than the EV9 from a standstill, with a finely tuned accelerator pedal that translates into smooth, quiet, and predictable power delivery.
Both vehicles feature a firmer suspension tuning, a common characteristic of heavier EVs. However, the ID. Buzz’s suspension exhibits a superior level of refinement, feeling more “buttoned up” and producing less noise over broken pavement compared to the Kia. The VW’s steering is light and precise, contributing to a surprisingly nimble feel that belies its van-like dimensions. The “B” mode on the gear selector provides a strong regenerative braking experience, allowing for near one-pedal driving benefits—though a final press of the brake pedal is still required to come to a complete stop. Despite the high driving position, the ID. Buzz feels planted and resists excessive body roll, making it an engaging electric van technology drive. Outward visibility is generally good, and the unique glass shape and short nose create a distinct, yet not obstructive, perspective.
The 2024/2025 Kia EV9, while competent, felt comparatively less refined in this head-to-head. Its suspension, though capable, produced more noise over bumpy surfaces and generally felt more “rattly.” Tire and wind noise were notably more intrusive in the EV9’s cabin at highway speeds, diminishing its quiet EV cabin potential compared to the ID. Buzz. The EV9, however, offers more granular control over regenerative braking levels, including a true one-pedal driving mode that brings the vehicle to a complete halt. While the ID. Buzz offers responsive off-the-line acceleration, the EV9 eventually overtakes it in raw power, feeling like the relatively sportier electric SUV performance option. The EV9’s different drive modes also have a more pronounced effect on the driving experience, making “Eco” feel genuinely economical and “Sport” genuinely dynamic. Forward visibility in the EV9 is good, and its larger blind spot camera views and rearview camera mirror (useful when cargo or passengers obstruct the rear view) add a layer of confidence.
Cold-Weather Efficiency and Real-World Range: EV9’s Endurance Advantage
For long-range electric vehicles, EV cold weather performance is a critical differentiator, directly impacting practicality and EV range anxiety solutions. Our cold-weather efficiency test, conducted on a 110-mile route of mixed interstate and country roads with temperatures hovering between 17 and 21 degrees Fahrenheit, revealed a clear advantage for the 2024/2025 Kia EV9.
The EV9 averaged 2.1 miles per kWh, outperforming the ID. Buzz’s 1.8 miles per kWh. More importantly, the EV9’s larger 99.8-kWh battery and superior efficiency translated into significantly greater real-world range. At the start of our drive, with both batteries topped up, the EV9 displayed 249 miles of estimated range, compared to the ID. Buzz’s 198 miles—both figures reflecting a typical cold-weather reduction from their EPA estimates. After covering 113 miles, the EV9 had consumed 135 miles of estimated range, leaving a comfortable 114 miles remaining. The ID. Buzz, traversing 111 miles, consumed 150 miles of its estimated range, leaving a mere 48 miles remaining.
This stark difference underscores that while neither vehicle would be a top choice for electric car range test focused, multi-state winter road trips due to the need for frequent DC fast charging capabilities, the EV9’s combination of higher real-world EV efficiency and greater overall battery capacity makes it significantly more tolerable for cold-weather operations. For families living in colder climates or those who prioritize maximum range between charges, the EV9’s enduring performance in challenging conditions provides a reassuring edge. This aspect is crucial for EV technology advancements 2025 which increasingly focus on battery thermal management and efficiency.
ID. Buzz or EV9: Which Is the Right Electric Partner for Your Family?
As we look at the landscape of 2025 family EV options, the choice between the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the Kia EV9 is less about one being unequivocally “better” and more about aligning with your family’s specific lifestyle, priorities, and aesthetic preferences. Both represent compelling sustainable automotive solutions, but their strengths cater to different needs.
If your primary objective is to haul people all day, every day in unparalleled comfort and space, particularly if you routinely carry adults in the third row, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an undeniable frontrunner. Its genuinely capacious interior, retro-futuristic charm, and surprising urban agility make it a statement vehicle that brings joy and practicality in equal measure. For those who appreciate unique design, desire a conversational piece, or simply long for a modern interpretation of the iconic VW Bus, and can afford a premium electric minivan alternatives option, the ID. Buzz is a perfect fit. It excels as a spacious, comfortable, and stylish vehicle for daily family duties and urban adventures, though its shorter range and less intuitive tech interface might be considerations for frequent long-distance travelers.
Conversely, if you’re seeking a more well-rounded electric car that can serve as a primary family vehicle, offering a longer range, a more conventional SUV driving experience, and a superior user interface, the 2024/2025 Kia EV9 is likely the more pragmatic choice. Its greater EV range and better cold-weather efficiency make it more adaptable for varying conditions and longer journeys, positioning it as a strong contender among best electric family car 2025 models. The EV9’s practical storage, refined interior quality, and more intuitive controls contribute to a hassle-free ownership experience for the busy family. While its third row is less generous than the Buzz’s, it offers a blend of style, power, and practicality that few three-row electric SUV rivals can match.
Ultimately, both the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024/2025 Kia EV9 are groundbreaking electric vehicles that push the boundaries of electric mobility. Your decision will hinge on whether you prioritize maximum passenger space and nostalgic charm, or a balanced blend of range, practicality, and conventional SUV appeal.
The choice between these two groundbreaking EVs ultimately comes down to your family’s unique needs and driving priorities. We strongly encourage prospective buyers to schedule a test drive, explore the various trim levels, and consult with a knowledgeable EV specialist to experience these vehicles firsthand. Embrace the future of family mobility – your perfect electric companion awaits.
