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2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Vs. 2024 Kia EV9: Navigating the Future of Family Electric Vehicles
The automotive landscape of 2025 is electric, dynamic, and fiercely competitive, especially in the burgeoning segment of family-oriented electric vehicles. For over a decade, I’ve navigated the intricacies of this industry, witnessing firsthand the rapid evolution of electric mobility solutions and the shifting priorities of modern families. This year, two distinct contenders are vying for the attention of discerning buyers: the much-anticipated 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, a retro-futuristic electric van, and the well-established 2024 Kia EV9, a groundbreaking three-row electric SUV. While they hail from different design philosophies, their shared mission to move families sustainably makes them direct rivals. This deep dive will dissect every aspect, from their interior comfort to their real-world efficiency, to help you determine which premium electric vehicle truly suits your household’s needs in the electrified era.
Both vehicles arrive with as-tested pricing hovering around the $70,000 mark, placing them squarely in the luxury EV segment. The 2025 VW ID. Buzz, a spiritual successor to the iconic Microbus, makes its debut with an all-new platform, boasting a 335-horsepower dual-motor AWD powertrain powered by a 91-kWh battery, offering an EPA-estimated 231 miles of range. Its DC fast-charging capability reaches up to 200 kW. The 2024 Kia EV9 Land AWD, a long-term fixture in our fleet, counters with a 99.8-kWh battery delivering 280 miles of EPA-estimated range and a more potent 379 horsepower. It also edges out the VW slightly in fast-charging speed, topping at 210 kW. Beyond these numbers, however, lies a world of practical differences that truly define their utility as family electric vehicles.
Interior Space and Comfort: Where Practicality Meets Nostalgia
For any three-row EV designed for families, interior space and comfort are paramount. This is where the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz truly shines, almost defying its exterior dimensions with a cavernous, intelligently designed cabin. As an expert in EV seating capacity and design, I can confidently say that the ID. Buzz reclaims the title of “space king.”
Stepping into the ID. Buzz, you’re greeted by a commanding, almost delivery-van-like driving position. It sits high, offering an expansive view forward, though the upright windshield and extended roofline can occasionally obscure overhead traffic lights – a minor quirk you quickly adapt to. What truly sets the ID. Buzz apart, however, is its unparalleled third-row experience. Unlike many three-row SUVs where the back row is an afterthought, the ID. Buzz’s rearmost seats are genuinely adult-friendly. Taller passengers will find ample headroom and legroom, a stark contrast to the often-cramped confines of competitors. This makes the ID. Buzz an ideal electric family hauler for carpooling, extended family outings, or simply maximizing occupant comfort on longer journeys. The seats themselves, while not as plush as the EV9’s initial rows, offer excellent support for a long trip.
The 2024 Kia EV9, while spacious in its own right, adopts a more conventional SUV layout. Its front seats are arguably more comfortable, with better cushioning and a more ergonomic fit for a wider range of drivers. The second row, often configured with ventilated captain’s chairs and integrated window sunshades, offers a premium experience. However, the EV9’s Achilles’ heel in this comparison is its third row. While accessible thanks to one-touch folding second-row seats, it’s best reserved for children or smaller adults on short trips. For regular use by teenagers or adults, it requires a significant compromise from second-row passengers sliding their seats forward. From an interior comfort EV perspective, if your primary need is to transport six or seven adults comfortably, the ID. Buzz is the undisputed champion. Its longer wheelbase undeniably contributes to this perceived interior volume, offering an open, airy ambiance throughout the cabin.
In-Cabin Storage: Everyday Utility for the Modern Family
When you’re dealing with the chaos of family life, effective in-cabin storage isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Here, the 2024 Kia EV9 pulls ahead with its thoughtful, traditional approach to stowing daily essentials.
The EV9’s front center console is a masterclass in utility, featuring ample space for drinks, phones, and various odds and ends. Below the main console, an open storage area provides a convenient spot for larger items like small bags or tablets. This design philosophy extends throughout the cabin, with generous door pockets and well-placed cubbies. The slide-out bin and tray for second-row passengers further enhance its practicality, making it easy to manage snacks, toys, or charging devices on the go. As someone who’s spent countless hours assessing EV technology from a user perspective, the EV9’s storage solutions simply make sense for an active family.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, in pursuit of its open and airy aesthetic, sacrifices some of this conventional utility. While the cabin feels incredibly spacious, dedicated small-item storage is surprisingly limited. The center console between the front seats is compact, and its compartments aren’t particularly large. There’s a clever rear-opening bin, but it pales in comparison to the EV9’s capacity. While you can easily toss a backpack or purse onto the floor due to the expansive footwell, this isn’t ideal for keeping things organized or secure. Fun features like integrated bottle openers and ice scrapers in console dividers are charming, but from a purely practical standpoint, they don’t replace dedicated, cavernous storage. Even the wireless phone charger, while functional, might not accommodate larger phones with robust cases, which can be a minor annoyance for clumsy users like myself. For families who rely on an organized, clutter-free cabin, the EV9’s pragmatic approach to cargo capacity electric vehicle solutions within the passenger compartment makes it the clear winner.
User Interface and Technology: Bridging Analog and Digital Worlds
The nerve center of any modern EV is its user interface. In 2025, consumers expect a seamless, intuitive interaction with their vehicle’s digital ecosystem. This is an area where Kia’s advanced EV features often shine, and the 2024 Kia EV9 largely delivers, prioritizing ease of use with a balanced approach.
The EV9’s infotainment system is a testament to blending physical controls with a responsive touchscreen. Its 12.3-inch central display is intuitive, featuring clear graphics and logical menus. Crucially, Kia retains physical buttons for frequently accessed functions like climate control temperature, audio volume, and seat heating/ventilation. This hybrid approach significantly reduces driver distraction, allowing for quick adjustments without diving into menus. While there’s a minor ergonomic flaw with the climate touch panel being partially obscured by the steering wheel, and the combined drive mode selector/start-stop button can be unintuitive initially, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise well-designed system. The inclusion of blind-spot camera views, activated with the turn signal, is also a highly practical automotive tech innovation that enhances safety and confidence.
In contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz leans heavily into a touch-sensitive philosophy, a design choice seen in other contemporary VW models. Its 12.9-inch touchscreen boasts vibrant colors and reasonably intuitive tile menus. However, the reliance on touch-sensitive controls extends to the steering wheel and even volume and temperature sliders below the screen. From an expert perspective, this is often a source of frustration. Accidental inputs on the steering wheel, especially for cruise control, are common, and the haptic sliders, while responsive, lack the precision of physical knobs. The system’s occasional pauses for safety reasons when adjusting climate and features buried deep within multiple menus further detract from the user experience. While VW’s UI is evolving, in 2025, the demand for tactile feedback in critical controls remains strong for many drivers. For overall user-friendliness and minimizing driver cognitive load, the EV9’s more conventional, button-assisted approach to infotainment system EV design takes the lead.
Interior Quality: Setting the Standard for Premium Electric Mobility
The conversation around interior quality in EVs pushing the $70,000 price point often boils down to perceived value. Both the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 are built to a high standard, but neither feels like a six-figure luxury sedan inside.
The 2024 Kia EV9 presents a refined and mature aesthetic. It utilizes a greater proportion of soft-touch surfaces in key areas – armrests, dashboard, and door panels – which contribute to a more premium tactile experience. The upholstery feels durable and high-quality, and even after significant mileage, our long-term test EV9 has shown minimal signs of wear or creaking, pointing to solid construction. While the all-gray interior of our test model could be described as somewhat somber, its underlying quality and robustness are undeniable, making it a reliable sustainable family transport option for years to come.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, meanwhile, brings its own unique flair. Its interior is visually more engaging, often featuring lighter color schemes and playful textures that align with its retro-modern vibe. The build quality is solid, with a satisfying heft to the doors and panels. However, it incorporates more hard plastics, particularly on less-frequented surfaces, which can slightly diminish the overall premium feel compared to the EV9. While the design is captivating, the tactile experience for common touchpoints doesn’t quite match the Kia’s. Both are excellent, well-constructed vehicles, but the EV9 offers a subtly more refined and traditional sense of interior luxury, something consumers often expect when making a significant electric vehicle investment.
Cargo Space: The Art of Hauling Life’s Essentials
For families, the ability to haul not just people but also their accompanying gear is a non-negotiable. Here, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz transforms into a cargo-carrying behemoth, leveraging its van architecture to astonishing effect.
Behind the third row, both EVs offer around 10 cubic feet of cargo space, which is adequate for grocery runs or a few carry-on bags. However, the ID. Buzz truly pulls ahead when you start configuring its interior for cargo. With the third row folded, it expands to 30.8 cubic feet. The real party trick, though, is its removable third row. While each section is heavy (around 60 pounds) and requires effort to lift out, doing so unlocks a colossal 48.9 cubic feet of space. This is more than double the EV9’s 23.4 cubic feet with its third row folded. The ID. Buzz also features a clever cargo shelf that can align the cargo floor with the folded third-row backrest, creating a flat load surface. While this shelf and the soft-sided bins beneath it are unique, removing the third row entirely provides an unobstructed, van-like cargo hold that is simply unmatched by most SUVs. For moving furniture, embarking on serious camping trips, or any scenario requiring maximum volume, the ID. Buzz is the undisputed leader in cargo capacity electric vehicle versatility.
The 2024 Kia EV9 offers a more conventional, albeit very practical, cargo area. With the third row down, it provides a sizable space, complemented by useful underfloor storage for charging cables or smaller items. It also features a small “frunk” (front trunk) – a convenient addition for dirty gear or items you want to keep separate. While it lacks the sheer transformable volume of the ID. Buzz, the EV9’s cargo area is highly functional for everyday family use and typical SUV hauling needs. For those who don’t anticipate frequently needing to remove their third row or prefer a more integrated cargo solution, the EV9 presents a compelling package.
Driving Experience: The Journey Behind the Wheel
The driving experience of an EV is often defined by its instantaneous torque, quiet operation, and refined ride. Both the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 deliver on these promises, but with distinct personalities.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz provides a surprisingly engaging and refined driving experience. Despite its heavier curb weight and slightly lower horsepower (335 hp vs. 379 hp for the EV9), the ID. Buzz feels remarkably responsive from a standstill, with a finely tuned accelerator pedal. Power delivery is smooth, quiet, and predictable, making it an excellent electric van for city driving and highway cruising. Its suspension tuning, while firm, is exceptionally well-composed, absorbing road imperfections with a quiet competence that belies its size. The steering is light and precise, and the ID. Buzz exhibits a nimble character that belies its van silhouette. Visibility is generally good, though the unique windshield design offers a different perspective. Its “B” mode for regenerative braking offers near one-pedal driving, adding to the relaxed experience, though it requires a final brake pedal press for a complete stop. Overall, the ID. Buzz feels “buttoned up,” offering a pleasant, confident ride that truly makes it a joy to drive.
The 2024 Kia EV9, by comparison, leans into its SUV heritage. It offers a more conventional SUV driving position and outward visibility, though the thick B-pillar can be a minor obstruction. Its ride, while generally comfortable, is firmer and can transmit more road noise and jostle over broken pavement than the more composed ID. Buzz. Tire and wind noise are more noticeable in the EV9 at highway speeds, which can detract from the quiet EV cabin experience. However, the EV9 offers more aggressive regenerative braking levels, including a true one-pedal driving mode, which many EV enthusiasts appreciate. The EV9’s different drive modes (Eco, Sport) also have a more pronounced effect on the driving dynamics, offering a sportier feel when desired. While the EV9 is a competent performer, in this head-to-head, the ID. Buzz unexpectedly offers a more refined and quiet ride, making it a serene environment for family travel.
Cold-Weather Efficiency and Range: Beyond the EPA Estimates
In the real world of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and varied climates, EPA range estimates are just a starting point. For 2025, consumers are increasingly aware of the impact of cold weather on EV performance, and our tests reflect this crucial consideration.
Our controlled cold-weather efficiency drive, spanning approximately 110 miles in temperatures well below freezing (17-21 degrees Fahrenheit), provided critical insights into the real-world performance of these long-range EV contenders. Both vehicles had their climate systems set to auto and cabin temperatures at a comfortable level, reflecting typical family use.
The 2024 Kia EV9 demonstrated a slight but significant edge in efficiency, averaging 2.1 miles per kWh, compared to the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz’s 1.8 miles per kWh. This difference is compounded by the EV9’s greater battery capacity and higher initial estimated range. At the start of our cold-weather drive, the EV9 showed 249 miles of range, while the ID. Buzz displayed 198 miles – both notable reductions from their official EPA figures due to the cold.
After completing the 110-mile route, the EV9 had traveled 113 miles but consumed 135 miles of estimated range, leaving a still-usable 114 miles of remaining range. The ID. Buzz, after traveling 111 miles, had consumed a more substantial 150 miles of range, leaving a mere 48 miles remaining. This stark difference highlights the importance of EV range anxiety in adverse conditions. While neither vehicle would be my first choice for extensive cold-weather road trips without careful planning, the EV9’s superior efficiency and greater overall range make it significantly more tolerable for such journeys. As the EV infrastructure future continues to develop, this real-world range performance remains a crucial factor for families planning longer excursions or living in colder climates.
The Verdict: Which Electric Family Hauler Dominates in 2025?
Choosing between the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 in 2025 isn’t about finding a “better” vehicle in absolute terms; it’s about aligning a family EV with your specific lifestyle and priorities. Both represent compelling advancements in electric mobility solutions, but they cater to distinct needs.
If your primary need is unparalleled passenger space across all three rows, particularly for adults, and a unique, eye-catching design that merges nostalgia with smart EV technology, the ID. Buzz is your champion. Its refined ride, surprising agility, and massive configurable cargo capacity when the third row is removed make it an ideal choice for large families, carpoolers, or anyone who values maximum interior volume above all else. It’s an emotional purchase as much as a practical one – a statement piece that also delivers on utility. Consider it if you need the ultimate spacious electric vehicle for people and significant gear, and you’re ready to embrace its distinctive personality.
On the other hand, the Kia EV9 is the more conventional, well-rounded, and perhaps ultimately more practical primary vehicle for many families. Its superior real-world cold-weather range, more traditional and user-friendly infotainment system with physical controls, and slightly more premium interior feel make it a highly capable and adaptable three-row electric SUV. If you prioritize longer range for fewer charging stops, a familiar SUV driving experience, and highly functional everyday storage solutions, the EV9 is an excellent, dependable choice. It’s less of a lifestyle statement and more of a highly competent, future-proof family workhorse.
Ultimately, both are fantastic entries into the family electric vehicle market of 2025. Your decision hinges on your specific hierarchy of needs: Is it maximum space and unique character, or is it range, conventional utility, and a more traditional SUV appeal? Whichever path you choose, embracing electric transport for your family means stepping into a future of sustainable automotive travel.
Ready to electrify your family’s journey? Explore the cutting-edge features of the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and 2024 Kia EV9 firsthand. Visit your local dealership today to experience these remarkable vehicles and discover which one perfectly aligns with your vision for electric family mobility!
