The Ultimate Electric Family Showdown: 2025 VW ID. Buzz vs. Kia EV9 – An Expert’s Deep Dive
In the rapidly accelerating landscape of electric vehicles, discerning f
amilies seeking the ideal blend of sustainability, utility, and comfort are spoiled for choice. Yet, two vehicles have recently captured the spotlight, each approaching the three-row EV segment from distinct angles: the much-anticipated 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the already established 2024 Kia EV9. As an automotive expert with a decade entrenched in evaluating family-focused EVs, I’ve had ample opportunity to put both through their paces, dissecting every facet that matters to the modern American household. This isn’t just a comparison of specifications; it’s a real-world analysis for families grappling with the future of mobility.
While their aesthetics diverge wildly – one a nostalgic nod to an iconic past, the other a bold leap into speculative futurism – these electric people movers share a common mission: to transport families efficiently and comfortably into the electric era. Both command a premium price tag, hovering in the upper-$60,000 to mid-$70,000 range, making this a significant investment for any buyer. We’re talking about cutting-edge electric family vehicles, premium 3-row EVs, and sustainable mobility solutions that promise to reshape the daily commute and weekend adventures. Let’s delve deep into which of these top electric SUVs (and its van counterpart) truly delivers on its promise for 2025 and beyond.
Interior Space and Comfort: Prioritizing Your Passengers
When it comes to ferrying precious cargo – human or otherwise – interior volume and comfort are paramount. This is where the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz truly plays its trump card, leveraging its van-like architecture to deliver an unparalleled sense of openness.
From the moment you attempt to settle into the ID. Buzz’s driver’s seat, its elevated stature becomes apparent. It’s less like sliding into a conventional SUV and more akin to ascending into a command perch, reminiscent of a commercial delivery vehicle. For some, this height offers a commanding view of the road, a desirable trait for urban navigation. However, the distinctly upright windshield and elongated roofline can create a peculiar blind spot for overhead traffic signals, occasionally requiring an awkward lean to catch the green light. The seating itself, while not reaching the plushness of the EV9’s first two rows, offers commendable support for extended journeys, striking a balance between firm and forgiving.
The real revelation in the ID. Buzz, however, is its sheer passenger volume, especially in the crucial third row. Forget the cramped, penitentiary-like confines often found in three-row SUVs; the ID. Buzz’s rearmost seats are genuinely accommodating for adults, rivalling the spaciousness typically reserved for a second row in other vehicles. Taller individuals will find ample headroom and legroom, a stark contrast to the EV9.
The 2024 Kia EV9, by comparison, offers a more SUV-traditional seating experience. Its front seats are arguably more sumptuously cushioned and ergonomically contoured, providing a slightly superior embrace for front-row occupants. The second-row captain’s chairs are a highlight, boasting ventilation and integrated window sunshades, cocooning passengers in comfort. The panoramic dual moonroof further enhances the airy ambiance. Yet, despite these luxuries, the EV9’s longer wheelbase doesn’t translate to the same expansive feeling as the ID. Buzz. While its second row is undeniably comfortable, the ID. Buzz simply offers more unrestricted space.
The EV9’s third row, while commendable for an SUV, remains best suited for children or for adults on shorter trips, requiring some negotiation of legroom with second-row passengers. While Kia’s thoughtful one-touch folding and sliding second-row seats ease access, the ID. Buzz’s larger aperture and inherently more capacious design make entry and egress for the third row a less compromising affair. For families that routinely utilize all three rows, or for those transporting larger adults, the ID. Buzz’s dedication to passenger volume makes it the clear frontrunner for spacious electric family vehicles.
In-Cabin Storage: Practicality for the Modern Family
Beyond seating, the ability to effectively manage the myriad items accompanying a family on the go is a critical differentiator. Here, the Kia EV9 demonstrates a more pragmatic and refined approach to in-cabin storage, making it a stronger contender for practical EV interiors.
The EV9’s front center console is a masterclass in utility, offering a tiered approach to storage. Dedicated slots for smaller essentials, generous cupholders, and a substantial open lower storage area beneath the console provide ample room for bags, tablets, or even a small cooler. It’s an intuitive layout that anticipates the diverse needs of passengers.
The ID. Buzz, despite its overall spaciousness, presents a somewhat paradoxical situation regarding small-item storage. The cabin feels immensely open, almost cavernous, inviting occupants to bring larger items like backpacks or purses. However, these often end up simply resting on the floor due to a surprising lack of dedicated, organized bins. The central console between the front seats is comparatively diminutive, with its storage areas failing to match the utility of the EV9. While it features a clever, albeit small, rear-opening bin, it doesn’t compensate for the overall deficiency. The movable center console is a neat trick, but sharing a single unit between rows can be inconvenient. Quirky additions like an integrated bottle opener and ice scraper in the console dividers are charming but ultimately less practical than robust storage solutions. Even the wireless phone charger, while functional, struggles to accommodate larger phones with protective cases, a minor but persistent annoyance for many users.
The EV9’s design simply offers more usable, purpose-built spaces for daily clutter, reinforcing its appeal as a family-friendly electric SUV that understands the dynamics of modern life.
User Interface: Intuition vs. Innovation
The interface through which we interact with our vehicles has become as crucial as the drivetrain itself. In the arena of intuitive EV technology, the Kia EV9, with its balanced approach to digital and physical controls, holds a decisive advantage over the ID. Buzz’s touch-heavy philosophy.
The EV9’s infotainment system is a testament to thoughtful design. Its touchscreen is responsive and logically structured, with intuitive tile menus that minimize the learning curve. Crucially, Kia retains a healthy array of physical buttons and dials for frequently accessed features like climate control temperature, fan speed, and seat heating/ventilation. These haptic controls provide reassuring feedback, allowing drivers to make adjustments without diverting attention from the road. While the small, lower climate control touch panel on the dashboard can be partially obscured by the steering wheel for some drivers, and the camera views triggered by turn signals sometimes overlap the digital dashboard, these are minor quibbles against an otherwise exemplary system.
The ID. Buzz, while featuring a vibrant, high-resolution touchscreen with rich colors and intuitive menus, falls victim to Volkswagen’s widespread, and often criticized, reliance on touch-sensitive controls for functions beyond the screen itself. The touch-sensitive steering wheel controls are a particular pain point. Accidental activations of cruise control or audio adjustments are common, disrupting the driving experience. Similarly, the haptic sliders for volume and temperature, while responsive, lack the precision and tactile reassurance of physical dials, making fine adjustments a frustrating exercise. Furthermore, the system occasionally exhibits inexplicable pauses when adjusting climate settings, and for safety reasons, the screen can sometimes lock inputs, adding to user frustration. Essential features are often buried several layers deep within menus, necessitating more visual engagement than desired while driving.
As an expert in automotive HMI, I advocate for a hybrid approach that prioritizes driver safety and convenience. The EV9’s blend of digital sophistication and tactile practicality makes it a superior choice for drivers who value straightforward, distraction-free control, cementing its status for those seeking advanced EV infotainment.
Interior Quality: The Premium Perception
When crossing the $70,000 threshold, buyers expect a certain level of interior refinement. While both vehicles exhibit commendable build quality, neither fully escapes the feeling that their pricing pushes the boundaries of their perceived material value. In this nuanced contest of luxury EV interiors, the Kia EV9 edges out the ID. Buzz.
The EV9’s cabin is characterized by its consistent use of soft-touch materials in key areas where occupants frequently interact – armrests, door panels, and dashboard fascia. This attention to tactile quality elevates the sensory experience. While our long-term EV9, with over 10,000 miles logged, shows minimal signs of wear and remains remarkably free of creaks or rattles, its all-gray interior color scheme can feel somewhat conservative, lacking the vibrant personality found in the ID. Buzz.
The ID. Buzz, on the other hand, embraces a more playful and colorful interior aesthetic, often incorporating lighter hues and unique design elements that evoke its heritage. Build quality is solid, and certain surfaces showcase visually interesting and high-quality materials. However, there’s a noticeable reliance on hard plastics in areas that, at this price point, one might expect softer finishes. While charming, this choice ultimately detracts slightly from the overall premium feel compared to the EV9. For buyers prioritizing a more upscale tactile experience, the EV9 offers a slightly more consistent and refined environment, aligning better with expectations for a high-end electric SUV.
Cargo Space: Utility Beyond the Rows
For family vehicles, cargo capacity is often the ultimate litmus test of utility. The comparison between these two reveals distinct philosophies, but for sheer versatility, especially when the third row isn’t occupied by people, the ID. Buzz truly shines, positioning itself as a leader in versatile EV cargo solutions.
Behind the third row, both vehicles offer a respectable, if modest, cargo volume of around 10 cubic feet by Cars.com measurements, adequate for a few grocery bags or small suitcases. However, the ID. Buzz’s clever design immediately begins to differentiate itself when the third row is folded. It features a unique, removable cargo shelf that creates a flat load floor, aligning with the folded third-row seatbacks. While this shelf cleverly hides soft-sided storage bins beneath, these can be prone to getting dirty over time. With the third row folded flat, the ID. Buzz liberates a substantial 30.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The true magic, however, lies in its ability to completely remove the third-row seats, transforming the rear into a cavernous 48.9 cubic feet of cargo area. This is more than double the EV9’s 23.4 cubic feet with its third row stowed, making the ID. Buzz exceptionally adept at hauling larger items. The caveat: each third-row section is heavy (around 60 pounds), requiring effort to remove and a designated storage space when not in use.
The EV9 adopts a more conventional SUV cargo area, similar to what you’d find in a gasoline-powered three-row SUV. It offers a large, easily accessible space with the third row up and an even larger one when folded, along with useful underfloor storage and a small front trunk (frunk). While the frunk is a nice touch, the overall maximum cargo volume doesn’t approach the sheer scale of the ID. Buzz with its seats removed. For families who occasionally need to transport large gear, furniture, or bulky sports equipment, the ID. Buzz’s modular cargo system makes it an undeniable champion in maximized electric vehicle storage.
Driving Experience: Nimble Van vs. Refined SUV
The driving dynamics of an electric vehicle profoundly shape the ownership experience. While both offer distinct personalities, the ID. Buzz surprises with its agility and refinement, making it an engaging choice for responsive EV driving.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, even with its retro-futuristic van silhouette, delivers a remarkably composed and sprightly driving experience. Its dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain, generating 335 horsepower, provides smooth, quiet, and predictable power delivery. From a standing start, the ID. Buzz feels notably responsive, with an accelerator pedal that translates inputs into immediate action. What truly impresses is its suspension tuning; while firm, it exhibits a level of refinement that absorbs road imperfections with surprising grace, feeling remarkably “buttoned up” and less noisy than the Kia’s setup. The steering is light and direct, and despite its height, the ID. Buzz feels nimble and surprisingly resistant to body roll, responding readily to steering inputs. The “B” mode on the gear selector offers near-one-pedal driving, effectively slowing the vehicle to an almost complete stop, requiring only a final brake pedal press. Outward visibility is generally good, enhanced by its short nose and expansive glass, though the unique windshield angle can take some getting used to.
The 2024 Kia EV9, by contrast, feels more like a conventional SUV, offering a familiar driving position and outward visibility (though the substantial left-side B-pillar can obstruct views for some). Its 379 horsepower provides a bit more raw power than the ID. Buzz, and while it’s quick, the overall ride quality, compared to the VW, feels somewhat less refined. Tire and wind noise are more pronounced, and the suspension can transmit harsh impacts into the cabin, leading to a generally “rattlier” feel on rough pavement. The EV9 offers multiple regenerative braking levels, including a true one-pedal driving mode, which some drivers prefer. Kia’s different drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) also have a more pronounced effect on the driving dynamics, offering a tangible difference in responsiveness. Forward visibility is strong, and the inclusion of a camera mirror and blind-spot camera views adds confidence, particularly useful when the rear view is obstructed by passengers or cargo.
For those who appreciate a surprisingly nimble and refined ride that belies its dimensions, the ID. Buzz delivers a unique and enjoyable experience. However, the EV9’s higher power output and more pronounced drive modes cater to those who desire a slightly sportier SUV feel. Both offer competent performance, but the ID. Buzz’s suspension tuning and overall composure give it an edge in everyday driving comfort, despite its slightly lower overall range for longer journeys, a key factor for electric vehicle range anxiety.
Cold-Weather Efficiency: The Real-World Test
Electric vehicles inherently experience reduced range in colder temperatures, a critical factor for families in northern climates. Our rigorous cold-weather efficiency test aimed to quantify this impact, and the Kia EV9 demonstrated a notable advantage in cold weather EV performance.
We subjected both EVs to the same 110-mile route, primarily consisting of interstate highways and country roads, with outside temperatures hovering between 17 and 21 degrees Fahrenheit – well below freezing. Both vehicles were driven naturally, with climate systems in auto mode and set to a comfortable cabin temperature.
Before the drive, the EV9 indicated an estimated range of 249 miles, while the ID. Buzz showed 198 miles, both significantly lower than their EPA estimates of 280 and 231 miles, respectively. The combination of higher speeds and frigid conditions rapidly consumed available range.
At the conclusion of the 113-mile drive, the EV9 had consumed 135 miles of estimated range, leaving 114 miles remaining. It achieved an average of 2.1 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The ID. Buzz, after traveling 111 miles, had consumed a more substantial 150 miles of range, with only 48 miles remaining. Its efficiency averaged 1.8 miles per kWh.
These results underscore a crucial point: neither vehicle is an ideal choice for extensive cold-weather road trips due to the increased charging frequency required. However, the EV9’s greater overall battery capacity (99.8 kWh vs. 91 kWh) and superior cold-weather efficiency provide a buffer, making it marginally more tolerable for long-range electric travel in winter. Its 210 kW DC fast-charging capability also offers a slight edge over the ID. Buzz’s 200 kW, potentially shaving precious minutes off charging stops, a significant consideration for optimizing EV charging speed.
ID. Buzz or EV9: Which Is Right for Your Family in 2025?
Choosing between the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 isn’t about identifying a universal “winner,” but rather aligning each vehicle’s strengths with your family’s unique lifestyle and priorities. Both are compelling premium electric family cars, but they cater to different needs.
If your primary motivation is to transport people – specifically, adults or older children – comfortably across all three rows, day in and day out, the ID. Buzz is the undisputed champion. Its exceptional passenger volume, particularly in the third row, combined with its charming retro-futuristic aesthetic and surprisingly refined driving dynamics, make it a joyful and practical electric minivan alternative. It’s also an ideal choice for those who have longed for a modern interpretation of the iconic VW Bus, or for families who prioritize maximum interior versatility for cargo when the third row isn’t needed. However, its lower cold-weather range and somewhat less intuitive user interface are points to consider for EV range optimization and ease of use.
The Kia EV9, conversely, stands as a more well-rounded primary family vehicle, particularly for those accustomed to the SUV form factor. Its superior range, particularly in colder climates, more conventional driving position, and robust, user-friendly interface with physical controls, position it as a highly capable and versatile electric SUV for families. While its third row is better suited for younger occupants, its overall blend of comfort, advanced technology, and practical storage solutions make it an excellent choice for a family’s sole vehicle, capable of handling daily duties with grace and offering more confidence for occasional longer journeys.
Ultimately, both of these innovative electric vehicles represent significant leaps forward in family transportation. While neither currently offers the no-compromise range for truly effortless cross-country cold-weather road trips, their respective strengths make them outstanding contenders in the evolving EV market of 2025. The choice hinges on whether your family prioritizes the ultimate in passenger space and unique character (ID. Buzz) or a more conventional, long-range, and technologically intuitive SUV experience (EV9).
Ready to electrify your family’s future? We invite you to explore these groundbreaking electric vehicles further. Discover detailed specifications, build your ideal configuration, or better yet, schedule a test drive at your nearest dealership to experience firsthand which of these next-generation family EVs resonates most with your aspirations. The electric era for families has arrived, and the perfect journey awaits.
