Navigating the Future of Family EVs: 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs. 2024 Kia EV9 – An Expert’s Deep Dive
As a veteran in the automotive space, with a decade dedicated
to dissecting vehicle trends and evaluating the latest releases, I’ve witnessed the electric vehicle (EV) market transform from niche to mainstream. For families seeking a sustainable, spacious, and technologically advanced ride, the choices in the three-row electric segment are becoming increasingly compelling. In 2025, two models stand out, each offering a distinct vision for the family hauler: the much-anticipated 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the established 2024 Kia EV9. While they appear to be worlds apart aesthetically—one a retro-futuristic minivan, the other a sleek, modern SUV—their core mission as people movers and their premium price points place them in direct competition. Both vehicles push the boundaries of electric mobility, but which one truly delivers the superior experience for the demands of modern family life? Let’s break down these two titans of the electric future.
Interior Space and Unrivaled Comfort: Prioritizing Passenger Harmony
When it comes to family vehicles, the interior is often the battlefield where comfort and practicality win or lose the day. Having spent countless hours behind the wheel and in every seating position of both the ID. Buzz and the EV9, my insights reveal clear distinctions.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, a triumphant return of the iconic VW Bus reimagined for the electric age, champions passenger volume above all else. From the moment you ascend into the driver’s seat—which can feel like a slight climb for some, prompting consideration for aftermarket running boards—you’re greeted with an expansive, almost panoramic view. The driving position, notably higher and more upright than traditional SUVs, leans more towards a commercial van’s command center, a feature that might appeal to some but can occasionally obscure overhead traffic lights due to the steeply raked windshield. Despite these minor quirks, the ID. Buzz’s seats are robust and supportive, offering good overall comfort, though they don’t quite reach the plushness of the EV9’s front and second-row offerings.
Where the ID. Buzz truly shines is in its sheer generosity of passenger space across all three rows. The second row is cavernous, easily accommodating adults with ample legroom, an area where its longer wheelbase truly pays dividends. However, it’s the third row that completely redefines expectations for an electric family vehicle. Unlike many three-row SUVs where the rearmost seats are relegated to emergency use for small children, the ID. Buzz’s third row is genuinely adult-friendly. Taller individuals can sit here comfortably for extended periods, making it a game-changer for larger families or those frequently carpooling with adults. Access to this spacious third row is also commendably easy, thanks to wide openings and straightforward seat-folding mechanisms. This focus on maximizing human cargo makes the ID. Buzz an almost ideal choice for multi-generational travel or extensive people-hauling needs.
Conversely, the 2024 Kia EV9, our long-term test vehicle that has accumulated significant real-world mileage, presents a more conventional, albeit luxurious, SUV interior. Its front seats offer superior cushioning and ergonomics, providing a more car-like, enveloping feel that many drivers will appreciate on longer journeys. The second-row captain’s chairs are a highlight, boasting ventilation, integrated window sunshades, and a premium feel. The optional dual moonroof further enhances the cabin’s open, airy ambiance. Yet, despite these premium touches, the EV9’s Achilles’ heel for maximum occupancy remains its third row. While perfectly adequate for children, adults will find it significantly tighter than the ID. Buzz, often necessitating compromises in second-row legroom to make it tolerable. Though features like one-touch second-row folding and sliding aid access, the reality is that the EV9’s third row is best reserved for shorter stints or smaller passengers. For sheer, uncompromised occupant volume, especially in the crucial third row, the ID. Buzz clearly holds the advantage, solidifying its position as a top contender for best electric SUV for families if space is paramount.
In-Cabin Storage: Practicality Versus Personality
An often-overlooked aspect of family vehicles, in-cabin storage, can significantly impact daily usability and road trip enjoyment. My extensive experience with both vehicles reveals distinct philosophies at play.
The Kia EV9 embraces a utilitarian yet sophisticated approach to storage. Its front center console is a masterclass in thoughtful design, offering a sizable primary bin, well-placed cupholders, and—critically—an open lower storage area beneath the console. This hidden compartment is invaluable for larger items like a small handbag, a camera bag, or even a pair of shoes, keeping the cabin tidy and organized. The second-row passengers also benefit from well-designed slide-out bins and trays, ensuring everyone has a convenient spot for their personal effects. The EV9’s storage solutions are functional, well-integrated, and directly contribute to a stress-free environment for daily essentials and road trip necessities.
The ID. Buzz, despite its expansive interior volume, adopts a more unconventional approach to small-item storage. The cabin feels wonderfully open and airy, almost minimalistic, but this comes at the expense of readily accessible, dedicated bins for smaller items. The center console between the front seats is notably compact, and its storage compartments are modest. While it does feature a unique bin accessible from the rear, it pales in comparison to the EV9’s capacity. On the plus side, the sheer openness means you can easily place a backpack or purse on the floor without it feeling cramped, but it lacks the secured, dedicated spots found in the Kia. VW has incorporated some “fun” touches, such as console dividers that double as a bottle opener and ice scraper. While these add character, from an expert’s standpoint, they prioritize novelty over genuine practicality for core storage needs. Furthermore, the nearly hidden wireless phone charger, while functional, struggled to accommodate my iPhone 12 with an Otterbox case – a common real-world issue for those of us who prioritize phone protection. For families who rely on an abundance of accessible cubbies and compartments to manage the inevitable clutter of car seats, snacks, and gadgets, the EV9 is the more practical choice.
User Interface: Intuition Versus Innovation’s Growing Pains
In 2025, a vehicle’s digital interface is as crucial as its powertrain. My decade of experience has taught me that user-friendliness trumps flashy graphics every time. Here, the Kia EV9 demonstrates a mature understanding of driver interaction, while the ID. Buzz, despite its forward-thinking design, grapples with some common VW interface frustrations.
The Kia EV9 excels with an infotainment system that strikes a commendable balance between a responsive touchscreen and essential physical controls. Its 12.3-inch touchscreen is intuitive, featuring clear menus and quick responses. Crucially, Kia has retained physical buttons for frequently accessed features like climate control temperature, audio volume, and seat heating/ventilation—controls you want at your fingertips without diverting your gaze from the road. This thoughtful integration significantly reduces driver distraction and enhances the overall technological experience. My only minor grievances are the small, partially obstructed climate control touch panel on the dashboard (though these controls can be expanded to the main screen) and the steering wheel occasionally blocking views of the digital dashboard, particularly when the blind-spot cameras activate with the turn signal. However, these are minor compared to the overall ease of use.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, unfortunately, carries forward some of VW’s touch-sensitive control philosophies that, in my professional opinion, continue to be a source of frustration. While its 12.9-inch touchscreen boasts excellent graphics, vibrant colors, and generally intuitive tile menus, the reliance on haptic-feedback touch controls beyond the screen is a persistent drawback. The touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, for instance, are prone to accidental activation; I’ve inadvertently set the cruise control simply by resting my hand against them. Similarly, the slider controls for volume and temperature, while visually sleek, lack the tactile precision of physical knobs, making fine adjustments difficult, especially on bumpy roads. This imprecision can lead to unnecessary multi-tasking. The system itself, while visually appealing, can suffer from occasional, inexplicable pauses when adjusting climate settings and has even locked itself for “safety reasons” at times, creating moments of minor inconvenience. Moreover, some frequently used features are frustratingly buried within multiple sub-menus, contrasting sharply with the EV9’s dedicated physical buttons. For optimal ease of use and reduced cognitive load during driving, the EV9’s interface is undeniably superior.
Interior Quality: Premium Aspirations, Real-World Execution
At the $70,000 price point, expectations for interior quality are justifiably high. After thoroughly examining both vehicles, my conclusion is clear: while both deliver good quality, neither interior feels unequivocally like a $70,000 offering, prompting a crucial discussion around luxury electric vehicles and perceived value.
The 2024 Kia EV9 leans into a more traditional sense of premium. You’ll find soft-touch surfaces strategically placed where your arms and hands naturally rest, such as on the door panels and center console. The upholstery feels durable and well-stitched, and even after accumulating over 10,000 miles in our long-term test, the cabin shows minimal signs of wear or creaks, speaking volumes about its durability and potential resale value EV. However, the overall aesthetic of our test vehicle’s all-gray interior, while refined, can feel a bit understated or even “boring” compared to the vibrant personality of the ID. Buzz. It prioritizes function and understated elegance over visual flair.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, in contrast, injects a healthy dose of personality and visual interest into its cabin. It’s solidly built, and some surfaces feature engaging, high-quality materials, particularly the contrasting color schemes that evoke the original Bus’s charm. However, the expert eye will notice a more extensive use of hard plastics, especially on lower door panels and less frequently touched areas, compared to the EV9. While the overall build quality is commendable, the tactile experience isn’t consistently premium throughout the cabin. It’s a trade-off: more visual appeal and character versus a higher concentration of soft-touch materials. For those prioritizing a truly plush, tactile feel at every touchpoint, the EV9 edges out the ID. Buzz, even if the latter brings more joy with its unique design and color palettes.
Cargo Space: Maximizing Utility for Life’s Adventures
The true test of a family vehicle often comes down to its ability to swallow cargo, from weekly grocery runs to ambitious camping trips. In this critical aspect, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz presents a truly unique and compelling solution, while the 2024 Kia EV9 offers a more conventional, yet still highly capable, approach.
By Cars.com’s meticulous measurements, the cargo space behind the third row is surprisingly similar in both vehicles, hovering around 10 cubic feet. This is a compact space, typical for most three-row vehicles with all seats in use. However, the ID. Buzz truly pulls ahead once the third row is folded, and especially when it’s removed entirely, showcasing its inherent utility EV design. The ID. Buzz features a clever multi-functional cargo shelf that, when deployed, creates a flat loading floor aligned with the folded third-row backrest. Beneath this shelf are soft-sided storage bins, ideal for smaller, less frequently accessed items, though I do have some long-term concerns about their potential to get grubby over time. With the third row folded, the ID. Buzz offers an impressive 30.8 cubic feet of cargo space. But the real magic happens when you remove the third row entirely. This transforms the rear of the ID. Buzz into a cavernous 48.9 cubic feet of usable space—more than double the EV9’s 23.4 cubic feet with its third row stowed. This modularity makes the ID. Buzz an absolute champion for hauling capacity, perfect for large furniture, extensive sports equipment, or even car-camping setups. The only caveat is that each third-row section is quite heavy (around 60 pounds), requiring some effort to remove and a dedicated place to store them when not in use.
The Kia EV9, on the other hand, provides a more traditional SUV cargo experience. With the third row up, it offers a usable, if somewhat limited, space. Folding the third row down expands this significantly, and the process is straightforward. The EV9 also benefits from useful underfloor cargo storage and a small “frunk” (front trunk) – a feature notably absent in the ID. Buzz. While its overall maximum cargo volume isn’t as expansive as a stripped-down ID. Buzz, the EV9’s space is highly practical, easily accessible, and doesn’t require the removal of heavy seats, making it a strong contender for everyday family adventures and gear transport in a more conventional format. For ultimate flexibility and sheer volume, however, the ID. Buzz’s approach to cargo management is genuinely transformative.
Driving Experience: Van Agility Versus SUV Command
Beyond interior comforts and cargo capacity, the driving experience is paramount, especially for a vehicle that will be a primary family hauler. My decade of testing has shown that on-paper specs rarely tell the whole story.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, despite its van-like stature and a listed curb weight heavier than the EV9, delivers a surprisingly agile and refined driving experience. Even in its default Comfort drive mode, the accelerator response feels more immediate and engaging than the EV9 from a standstill. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain, producing 335 horsepower, delivers smooth, quiet, and predictable power, making city driving and merging onto highways feel effortless. What truly impressed me was the ID. Buzz’s suspension tuning. It’s firm but remarkably composed and refined, absorbing road imperfections with a muted composure that far surpasses the Kia. The cabin remains remarkably quiet, with only minimal wind noise at higher speeds. Steering is light and precise, contributing to a sense of nimbleness that belies its size. The “B mode” on the gear selector offers near-one-pedal driving, a convenient feature for urban driving, though it requires a final brake application to come to a complete stop, leading to occasional jerky stops if not anticipated. Outward visibility is generally good, though the unique front glass and short nose create a different visual perspective. Overall, the ID. Buzz truly behaves like the pleasant, refined cruiser it’s designed to be, making EV performance feel surprisingly accessible and comfortable.
The 2024 Kia EV9, in this direct comparison, takes on the role of the more traditional SUV. While it boasts a higher output of 379 horsepower and is objectively quicker in a straight line, its driving dynamics feel less refined than the ID. Buzz. The EV9’s suspension, while capable, is notably noisier and harsher, allowing more road imperfections and general rattling to intrude into the cabin, particularly on broken pavement. Tire and wind noise are also more pronounced at highway speeds. The EV9 does offer a greater array of regenerative braking levels, including a true one-pedal driving mode, which is a significant convenience. Its different drive modes (Eco, Sport) also have a more discernible effect on the driving character, offering a tangible difference in responsiveness. Visibility is good, perhaps even slightly better forward than the VW, and the EV9 benefits from an excellent rearview camera mirror and Kia’s confidence-inspiring blind-spot camera views. However, the EV9’s B-pillar can create a significant blind spot on the left side. While the EV9 is a competent and capable electric SUV, its ride quality and cabin refinement fall short when pitted against the ID. Buzz’s unexpected composure.
Cold-Weather Efficiency: Range Anxiety on Ice
For any EV owner, especially those considering long-range electric vehicles, real-world range, particularly in adverse conditions, is a critical factor. Our rigorous cold-weather efficiency test, conducted in well-below-freezing temperatures (17-21 degrees Fahrenheit) over a 110-mile route of mixed interstate and country roads, provided invaluable insights into these vehicles’ performance.
The 2024 Kia EV9, with its larger 99.8-kWh battery and EPA-estimated 280 miles of range, demonstrated a crucial advantage. Prior to our test, it displayed an estimated 249 miles of range. Over the 113-mile drive, it consumed 135 miles of estimated range, leaving 114 miles remaining. This translated to an average efficiency of 2.1 miles per kWh, which, while lower than its ideal rating, proved more robust in the cold.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, with its 91-kWh battery and 231 miles EPA-estimated range, faced a tougher challenge. It started our test showing 198 miles of estimated range. After traveling 111 miles, it had consumed a considerable 150 miles of range, leaving a mere 48 miles remaining. Its average efficiency was 1.8 miles per kWh.
The implications for winter driving EVs are clear. While both vehicles will experience reduced range in freezing temperatures, the EV9’s greater initial range capacity and slightly better cold-weather efficiency make it the more tolerable option for extended drives. Neither would be my top recommendation for a truly seamless cold-weather road trip, given the increased frequency of charging infrastructure EV stops required. However, for those who regularly face chilly climates or longer commutes, the EV9 provides a larger buffer against EV range anxiety. This real-world performance is a vital consideration for anyone investing in next-gen EV features for family transport.
Which Is Right for Your Family? Crafting Your Electric Future
After extensive time with both the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9, my expert opinion is that both represent outstanding contributions to the evolving landscape of sustainable automotive. However, they cater to distinct priorities, and the “better” choice is entirely dependent on your family’s unique needs and lifestyle.
If your primary concern is uncompromised passenger space, particularly for adults in the third row, and you value a unique, character-filled aesthetic combined with a surprisingly refined and agile driving experience, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is your champion. It’s an ideal choice for large families, frequent carpoolers, or anyone who appreciates the ultimate in flexible interior volume for both people and cargo, especially when you need to remove the third row for massive hauling tasks. It’s more than just a car; it’s a statement, a lifestyle vehicle that brings joy and evokes a sense of nostalgia while embracing the future. While its user interface has room for improvement and its cold-weather range is a consideration, its spaciousness and charm are undeniable.
On the other hand, if you seek a more traditional SUV experience with a strong emphasis on premium interior comfort, highly practical storage solutions, and a truly intuitive user interface that minimizes driver distraction, the 2024 Kia EV9 is a formidable contender. Its superior cold-weather range and slightly quicker fast-charging capabilities also give it an edge for those who prioritize long-distance electric travel, making it a more well-rounded primary vehicle. While its third row is less capacious and its ride quality slightly less refined than the ID. Buzz in direct comparison, its overall balance of features, performance, and practical design make it an excellent choice for families seeking a sophisticated, reliable electric SUV for diverse daily needs.
Ultimately, both vehicles exemplify the exciting advancements in EV battery technology and electric car ownership costs savings. Neither is a perfect long-haul road-trip vehicle in freezing temperatures, but for electrified daily driving and family adventures, they offer distinct pathways to a greener future. The decision boils down to whether you prioritize the Buzz’s unparalleled space and retro charm or the EV9’s polished practicality and superior range confidence.
Ready to electrify your family’s journey and experience the future of automotive innovation firsthand? Explore which of these groundbreaking three-row electric vehicles perfectly aligns with your lifestyle and start your advanced EV experience today.
