2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs. 2024 Kia EV9: Dissecting the Premium Family EV Landscape for 2025 The electric vehicle (EV) market in 2025 continues its rapid evolutio n, bringing forth an exciting array of choices for families seeking sustainable and spacious transportation. Among the most compelling new contenders are two vehicles that, while seemingly disparate in design philosophy, share a fundamental purpose: moving people and their gear with zero emissions. We’re pitting the much-anticipated 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, a retro-futuristic electric van, against the established, award-winning 2024 Kia EV9, a bold, three-row electric SUV. As an automotive expert with a decade immersed in this dynamic industry, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing these vehicles firsthand, understanding not just their specifications, but their soul. This isn’t just a spec sheet comparison; it’s a deep dive into which of these premium electric vehicles genuinely serves as the superior family solution in today’s market. On the surface, the ID. Buzz harks back to an iconic era, reimagined for a digital age, while the EV9 aggressively projects modernity and forward-thinking utility. Yet, their as-tested pricing often falls within a surprisingly narrow band, forcing discerning buyers to look beyond aesthetics to practical capabilities, long-term ownership experience, and the subtle nuances that define a truly great family EV. We’re here to unravel those complexities, helping you navigate the choice between an electric icon reborn and a groundbreaking electric SUV. Foundational Specifications & Performance Overview Before we delve into the subjective experience, let’s anchor ourselves with a snapshot of their core specifications – the DNA of these electric people-movers. The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, in its Pro S Plus AWD trim, arrives with a 91-kilowatt-hour battery pack powering a dual-motor setup, delivering a robust 335 horsepower. Its EPA-estimated driving range clocks in at 231 miles, with DC fast-charging capabilities reaching up to an impressive 200 kilowatts. Our tested model carried an MSRP of $70,540, including destination. This represents a significant investment in a vehicle banking on its unique blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge EV technology. The 2024 Kia EV9, specifically our long-term test vehicle in Land AWD trim, utilizes a larger 99.8-kWh battery, pushing out a more potent 379 horsepower. This translates to an EPA-estimated range of 280 miles – a notable advantage for families eyeing longer journeys. Its DC fast-charging potential edges out the Buzz slightly at 210 kW. Our specific EV9 retailed at $74,305. While the EV9’s higher price might initially seem like a disadvantage, its superior range and power offer tangible benefits that could justify the premium for many discerning buyers. Both vehicles represent substantial commitments in the premium electric vehicle segment, demanding a thorough evaluation of their daily utility and long-term value. Interior Sanctuary: Space, Comfort & Ergonomics for the Modern Family When evaluating a family-friendly electric car, interior space and comfort are paramount. This is where the ID. Buzz truly plays its trump card, leveraging its van-like architecture to deliver a cavernous cabin, especially in its crucial third row. Stepping into the ID. Buzz, the driving position is notably elevated, reminiscent of a command center, though some shorter drivers might wish for an integrated running board for easier ingress. The upright windshield, a homage to its heritage, does create a unique forward perspective, occasionally requiring a slight head tilt to catch overhead traffic lights – a minor quirk that becomes second nature over time. While the first and second-row seats offer good comfort, they don’t quite match the plushness found in the EV9. However, the sheer volume of passenger space in the Buzz is undeniable. Its third row stands out as exceptionally roomy, easily accommodating taller adults without complaint, a rarity in this segment. This makes the ID. Buzz a prime candidate for families that regularly transport full complements of adults or growing teenagers, truly excelling as a spacious 3-row EV. The Kia EV9, by contrast, offers a more conventional SUV seating experience. Its front seats are exceptionally well-cushioned and supportive, offering superior comfort for extended drives. The second row, available with ventilated captain’s chairs, is also very accommodating, enhanced by integrated window sunshades and a dual moonroof that creates an airy, open feeling. However, even with these amenities, the EV9’s longer-wheelbase competitor, the ID. Buzz, ultimately offers more expansive second-row legroom. The EV9’s third row, while respectable for an SUV, is best reserved for children or smaller adults on shorter trips. While access to the third row is facilitated by convenient one-touch folding and sliding second-row seats, it simply cannot compete with the ID. Buzz’s genuine adult-friendly rearmost seating. For the expert observer, the ID. Buzz redefines third-row legroom expectations in the EV segment, moving beyond mere theoretical capacity to practical usability. Smart Storage & Practicality: Accommodating Life’s Necessities Modern family life demands intelligent storage solutions, from keeping devices charged to stashing snacks and sports gear. Here, the Kia EV9 demonstrates a more conventional, yet ultimately more effective, approach to in-cabin practicality. The EV9’s front center console is a masterclass in functional design, offering generous space for various odds and ends, along with dedicated cupholders. Crucially, an open lower storage area beneath the console provides ample room for larger items like bags or small backpacks, preventing clutter from accumulating on the floor. The well-integrated slide-out bin and tray for second-row passengers further enhance its utility, making it a strong contender for a practical electric vehicle for daily use. The ID. Buzz, despite its expansive interior volume, falls short in dedicated small-item storage. Its center console between the front seats is notably smaller, and while there’s a small, clever bin accessible from the rear, it’s dwarfed by the EV9’s offerings. While you can easily place a backpack or purse on the floor, it lacks integrated compartments to secure such items. The movable center console is a neat touch, but the absence of a dedicated second-row console means front passengers might find themselves sharing or constantly adjusting. Fun-but-impractical touches like a bottle opener/ice scraper combo in the console dividers highlight VW’s playful design but underscore a slight misstep in pure utility. Moreover, the cleverly hidden wireless phone charger, while a thoughtful feature, struggles to accommodate larger smartphones with robust cases – a common frustration for many users. From an expert perspective, the EV9’s approach is simply more mature and user-centric for real-world family demands, making it a better choice for EV cabin storage. The Digital Cockpit: User Interface & Technology in 2025 The user interface (UI) and integrated technology are defining aspects of any modern vehicle, especially in 2025. Here, the Kia EV9 presents a more refined and less frustrating experience, striking a better balance between advanced digital displays and crucial physical controls. This is critical for an intuitive car tech experience. The EV9’s infotainment system is commendably intuitive, featuring crisp graphics and responsive operation. What truly elevates its usability is the strategic inclusion of physical buttons for frequently accessed features like climate control temperature, fan speed, and seat heating/ventilation. These tactile controls provide immediate feedback and reduce the need for drivers to avert their eyes from the road. While the small climate system touch panel on the dashboard can be partially obstructed by the steering wheel for some drivers, these controls can be expanded to the central touchscreen for better visibility. The integration of camera views with the turn signals is a thoughtful safety feature, though a minor observation is that the steering wheel can occasionally obscure a sliver of the digital dashboard. In contrast, the ID. Buzz’s UI, while visually appealing with rich colors and intuitive tile menus, continues VW’s trend of over-reliance on touch-sensitive controls beyond the central screen. These haptic steering-wheel controls, which have been a point of contention in other VW models, remain frustrating. Accidental activations, such as setting cruise control by inadvertently swiping a hand, are a common occurrence. Similarly, the touch-sensitive sliders for volume and temperature, while responsive, lack the precision and tactile feedback of physical knobs, making fine adjustments challenging while driving. The infotainment screen itself is excellent, boasting high responsiveness and superb graphics, but occasional, unnecessary pauses when adjusting the climate system and inexplicable screen lockouts for “safety reasons” disrupt the user flow. Some critical features are also buried within multiple sub-menus, hindering quick access. As an expert, I’ve seen countless iterations of EV infotainment systems, and while the Buzz’s is aesthetically pleasing, its practical execution in daily driving can be a source of persistent frustration, hindering the overall digital dashboard EV experience. Craftsmanship & Cabin Aesthetics: The $70,000 Question Spending upwards of $70,000 on a family EV naturally sets expectations for interior quality and design. Both the ID. Buzz and EV9 offer well-built cabins, but neither fully embodies the perceived luxury one might expect at this price point, though the EV9 takes a slight lead in material sophistication. The Kia EV9 impresses with a thoughtful selection of materials, featuring soft-touch surfaces strategically placed where arms and hands naturally rest. Its overall build quality feels robust, and even after considerable mileage on our long-term test vehicle, there are no signs of wear or excessive creaking. While the interior design, especially in an all-gray scheme, can appear somewhat utilitarian or even “boring” to some, its focus on durability and user-friendliness is evident. It’s a cabin designed for real-world family abuse, making it a strong contender for those seeking premium cabin quality in a resilient package. The Volkswagen ID. Buzz, while undeniably visually interesting and benefiting from higher-quality materials in certain areas, relies more heavily on hard plastics across common touchpoints. Its interior excels in visual appeal, particularly with its lighter and more colorful options that inject a much-needed sense of fun and vibrancy. The construction feels solid, but the blend of playful design with less premium materials on crucial surfaces prevents it from feeling truly upscale. It embodies a sustainable car materials ethos, but perhaps at the expense of tangible luxury. For an expert accustomed to the evolution of automotive design trends 2025, the Buzz is a daring statement, but the EV9 offers a more consistently premium touch and feel, even if its aesthetics are less adventurous. Versatile Hauling: Cargo & Utility for Family Adventures The ability to haul cargo, whether groceries, sports equipment, or luggage for a vacation, is critical for any family vehicle. Both EVs offer substantial space, but their approaches to cargo versatility diverge significantly. The ID. Buzz, thanks to its van lineage, offers a uniquely flexible and ultimately cavernous cargo solution, especially when its third row is removed. Behind the third row, both vehicles offer similar figures, around 10 cubic feet by Cars.com measurements. However, the Buzz shines when its third row is folded, revealing 30.8 cubic feet of space. The true advantage comes with the removal of the third row entirely, unlocking a massive 48.9 cubic feet of usable space – more than double the EV9’s 23.4 cubic feet with its third row stowed. This feature makes the ID. Buzz an incredibly versatile family adventure vehicle and a standout for sheer EV cargo capacity. A unique cargo shelf can align the rear cargo area with the folded third-row backrest, creating a flat floor, though it does raise the load floor. Beneath the shelf, soft-sided storage bins are provided, though their long-term cleanliness is debatable. The caveat? Each third-row section is heavy (around 60 pounds), requiring effort to remove and a dedicated storage space outside the vehicle. Notably, the ID. Buzz lacks a frunk (front trunk), a common EV amenity. The Kia EV9, while not reaching the Buzz’s maximum volume, offers a more conventional and user-friendly cargo area. Its large cargo space with the third row up and even larger volume with it folded makes it comparable to a traditional three-row SUV. It includes useful underfloor storage and a small frunk, adding practical daily utility without requiring seat removal. The third-row folding mechanism is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for consistent and predictable electric vehicle versatility. While the Buzz offers more ultimate space, the EV9’s everyday convenience and simpler configurability make it arguably more practical for the majority of families who won’t regularly remove seats. On the Road: Driving Dynamics & Refinement The driving experience of an EV goes beyond raw power; it encompasses ride quality, handling, steering feel, and overall refinement. Here, the ID. Buzz delivered a surprising performance that truly impressed, though the EV9 offers a more conventional SUV feel. The 2025 ID. Buzz, despite its substantial curb weight, exhibits a remarkable agility and composure. Even in Comfort mode, its accelerator pedal feels more responsive than the EV9’s from a standstill, delivering smooth, quiet, and predictable power. Its suspension tuning is firm yet incredibly refined, absorbing road imperfections with a sophisticated dampening that outclasses the EV9. The cabin remains remarkably quiet, with only minimal wind noise at higher speeds. Steering is light and precise, making the Buzz feel far nimbler than its size suggests. The “B” mode on the gear selector offers near-one-pedal driving, effectively slowing the vehicle to an almost complete stop, enhancing the smooth EV ride experience. Visibility is generally good, though the unique front glass shape and short nose create a different perception of the road ahead. From an expert’s perspective, the ID. Buzz achieves an exceptional balance of electric vehicle handling and ride comfort, making it a genuinely pleasant cruiser. The Kia EV9, while delivering a robust 379 horsepower, presents a driving experience more akin to a conventional three-row SUV. Its driving position and outward visibility are SUV-like, though its large B-pillar can obstruct some views. While the EV9 offers more regenerative-braking levels, including a true one-pedal driving mode, its suspension, while capable, is not as refined as the Buzz’s. It tends to transmit more road noise and harshness into the cabin over broken pavement, leading to a somewhat noisier and rattlier ride in comparison. While the EV9 is the sportier choice in terms of outright power and acceleration, the discernible effects of its different drive modes (Eco, Sport) highlight a broader range of driving personalities. Forward visibility is good, and the available camera mirror significantly enhances rear visibility, compensating for any blockages from passengers or cargo, while Kia’s blind-spot camera views add confidence. For those seeking a powerful and familiar driving dynamics comparison in an EV package, the EV9 delivers, but the Buzz provides a surprising level of quiet sophistication. Real-World Energy Consumption: Cold Weather & Beyond for Long-Range Electric Vehicles for Families Range anxiety, while diminishing, remains a factor for many EV buyers, particularly when considering EV cold weather range. Our real-world cold-weather efficiency test revealed interesting insights into how these vehicles perform when temperatures plummet. On a roughly 110-mile mixed highway and country road route, with ambient temperatures hovering around a frigid 17-21 degrees Fahrenheit, both vehicles demonstrated the expected drop in efficiency. The Kia EV9 emerged slightly more efficient, averaging 2.1 miles per kWh compared to the ID. Buzz’s 1.8 miles per kWh. More significantly, the EV9 started with 249 miles of estimated range (down from its 280 EPA estimate), while the ID. Buzz began with 198 miles (down from its 231 EPA estimate). After traversing the route, the EV9 had traveled 113 miles but consumed 135 miles of estimated range, leaving 114 miles remaining. The ID. Buzz, covering 111 miles, consumed a more substantial 150 miles of range, leaving only 48 miles remaining. This stark difference underscores the EV9’s greater practical range, which becomes an even more critical asset in freezing conditions. While neither vehicle would be my first choice for extensive cold-weather road trips due to the increased frequency of charging stops, the EV9’s superior electric car efficiency and greater buffer of miles make it the more tolerable option for long-distance EV travel when temperatures dip. This is a crucial consideration for families in colder climates. The Verdict: Tailoring Your Electric Future In the dynamic landscape of 2025’s electric family vehicles, both the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 present compelling, yet distinct, propositions. The “better” choice is not absolute; it hinges entirely on your family’s specific priorities and lifestyle. If your primary need is unparalleled passenger space, particularly for regularly transporting adults in all three rows, and you’re drawn to a unique, character-filled design, the ID. Buzz is undeniably your champion. Its refined ride, surprising agility, and iconic presence make it a joyful and distinct statement on the road, perfectly suited for families who prioritize roominess and an emotional connection to their vehicle. It’s an electric minivan alternative that redefines its segment. However, if you prioritize a longer practical range, a more conventional yet potent SUV driving experience, superior small-item storage, and a user interface that balances digital innovation with tactile controls, the Kia EV9 stands out as the more well-rounded and ultimately more pragmatic daily driver. It’s a powerhouse of EV technology advancements 2025 wrapped in a functional, modern package, making it an ideal best electric family car 2025 for many. The EV9 serves admirably as a primary family vehicle, offering a compelling blend of power, range, and utility for the vast majority of family needs, including light road-tripping in favorable conditions. Ultimately, both vehicles represent fantastic strides in sustainable family transport. They are well-engineered, perform admirably, and offer distinct charms. Your decision will be a reflection of what you value most: the Buzz’s unparalleled interior volume and charming retro flair, or the EV9’s greater range, stronger performance, and more traditional, user-friendly practicality. Ready to electrify your family’s journey? Explore the cutting-edge features of the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 and discover which revolutionary electric vehicle perfectly aligns with your vision for the future of family travel. Visit a dealership today or schedule a virtual walkthrough to experience the next generation of spacious, eco-conscious mobility.