2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs. 2024 Kia EV9: A Deep Dive for the Modern American Family EV
The landscape of electric vehicles for families has never been more excitin
g or diverse, especially as we navigate into 2025. Two contenders have emerged, each carving out a distinct niche in the burgeoning three-row EV segment: the much-anticipated 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the already impactful 2024 Kia EV9. While they present vastly different aesthetic philosophies – one a nostalgic nod to an iconic past, the other a bold leap into the future – both are engineered from the ground up to move people and redefine family transport.
From my decade of experience evaluating countless vehicles, especially the rapidly evolving electric market, the choice between the ID. Buzz and the EV9 isn’t just about specs; it’s about lifestyle, priorities, and ultimately, which electric vehicle truly integrates best into the rhythm of your family’s daily life. These aren’t just eco-friendly alternatives; they are thoughtful, purpose-built machines demanding significant investment, with as-tested pricing often landing in a similar $70,000 range. Let’s dissect these innovative electric people-movers to determine which one earns the title of the superior family EV for 2025.
First Impressions & Design Philosophy
Before we dive into the nuts and bolts, it’s impossible to ignore the sheer visual contrast. The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz arrives as a delightful, all-electric reincarnation of the legendary VW Microbus. It’s a masterclass in retro-futurism, instantly recognizable with its vibrant two-tone paint schemes, short overhangs, and confident stance. Our test model, a Pro S Plus AWD, showcased an EPA-estimated range of 231 miles from its 91-kWh battery, powered by a 335-horsepower dual-motor setup, capable of DC fast-charging up to 200 kW. This isn’t just a van; it’s a statement, a rolling piece of automotive art that sparks joy and turns heads, embodying a relaxed, adventurous spirit.
In stark contrast, the 2024 Kia EV9 projects a commanding presence with its sharp, geometric lines, digital tiger-nose grille, and imposing SUV silhouette. As our long-term test vehicle, a Land AWD variant, it has consistently delivered an EPA-estimated 280 miles of range from its larger 99.8-kWh battery. Its 379 horsepower dual-motor system offers a touch more grunt than the Buzz, and its DC fast-charging capability nudges slightly ahead at 210 kW. The EV9 is unequivocally modern, designed to convey strength, sophistication, and a futuristic take on family utility. It’s a luxury electric SUV that promises robust capability and seamless integration into a digital-first world.
Despite their stylistic differences, at their core, both are sophisticated electric three-row vehicles vying for the attention of American families seeking sustainable, spacious, and technologically advanced transport. The real question isn’t which looks better, but which performs better where it counts.
Interior Space & Comfort: The Family Command Center
When evaluating a family EV, interior space and comfort are paramount. The ability to comfortably accommodate passengers across all three rows, especially for longer journeys, can make or break the experience.
The ID. Buzz truly shines in its commitment to maximizing internal volume. Its van-like architecture immediately translates into a remarkably airy and open cabin. The driver’s seat position, while higher than a typical SUV and reminiscent of a delivery van, provides an expansive view of the road. While some might find the upright windshield and extended roofline a slight challenge for overhead stoplights (a minor tilt of the head usually resolves this), the overall visibility is excellent. The seats, while not quite as plush as the EV9’s, are supportive and well-suited for extended periods.
Where the ID. Buzz truly pulls ahead is in its second and, crucially, its third row. The longer wheelbase creates a cavernous second row, offering significantly more legroom and shoulder room than the EV9. Even more impressive is the third row – it’s genuinely adult-friendly. Taller passengers will find ample headroom and decent legroom, making it a viable space for teenagers or even adults on longer trips, without requiring uncomfortable compromises from second-row occupants. It’s this expansive, uncompromised space that makes the ID. Buzz a standout for families that consistently utilize all three rows for varying age groups.
The Kia EV9, while highly commendable in its own right, adopts a more conventional SUV interior layout. The front seats are exceptionally comfortable, offering superior cushioning and bolstering, which is a major plus for the primary drivers. The second row, often configured with captain’s chairs, is spacious and features amenities like integrated window sunshades and an expansive dual moonroof, contributing to an open cabin feel. However, the EV9’s third row, while accessible with one-touch folding second-row seats, is noticeably tighter. It’s perfectly adequate for children or smaller adults on shorter excursions, but it doesn’t offer the unburdened comfort found in the ID. Buzz. Adults can manage, but it often necessitates second-row passengers sliding their seats forward, diminishing their own comfort. For families with growing children or who frequently transport multiple adults, the ID. Buzz’s third-row advantage is undeniable.
In-Cabin Storage & Practicality: Managing the Mess
A family vehicle is a mobile command center, and effective in-cabin storage is crucial for managing everything from snacks and devices to emergency wipes.
The EV9 takes a more conventional, yet highly effective, approach to storage. Its front center console is a well-designed hub with dedicated spaces for drinks, smaller items, and a generous open lower storage area beneath the floating console. This provides ample room for bags, tablets, or even a small purse, keeping the main cabin floor clear. The slide-out bin and tray for second-row passengers are also well-executed, offering convenient access to essentials. The overall design prioritizes intuitive organization for everyday family life.
The ID. Buzz, with its open and airy interior, sometimes sacrifices structured storage for sheer spaciousness. The center console between the front seats is smaller, and its storage areas are less expansive than the EV9’s. While there’s a unique bin that opens from the backside, it’s not as capacious. Fun touches like integrated bottle openers and ice scrapers in console dividers are clever, but don’t significantly enhance practical storage volume. While you can easily place a backpack or purse on the expansive floor, a lack of dedicated, secure compartments for smaller items can lead to a less organized cabin. The movable center console is a nice touch, but for a family vehicle, having a dedicated console for second-row passengers would improve its utility. Even the wireless phone charger, while discreetly placed, might struggle with larger phones or bulky cases, a common real-world issue.
For families who value designated spots for every gadget and gizmo, the EV9’s more traditional and voluminous storage solutions will likely prove more practical and less frustrating in the long run.
User Interface & Technology: Bridging the Digital Divide
In a 2025 family EV, the user interface and integrated technology are critical for everything from navigation to entertainment, and the usability often determines daily satisfaction.
The Kia EV9 largely succeeds here due to its thoughtful blend of digital screens and essential physical controls. Its intuitive touchscreen infotainment system is responsive, and crucially, Kia has retained physical buttons for frequently used features like climate control temperature, fan speed, and seat heating/ventilation. These tactile controls allow for quick adjustments without diverting attention from the road. While the small climate system touch panel on the dashboard can be partially obscured by the steering wheel for some drivers, these controls can be expanded to the central touchscreen for better access. The digital dashboard also integrates well, though some camera views triggered by turn signals can be partially blocked by the steering wheel, a minor ergonomic quibble. Overall, the EV9 prioritates a driver-centric, functional interface.
The ID. Buzz, unfortunately, inherits some of Volkswagen’s recent frustrations with touch-sensitive controls. While its 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system boasts excellent graphics, intuitive tile menus, and richer colors than the Kia, the reliance on haptic feedback and touch sliders for critical functions like volume and temperature is a recurring pain point. Steering wheel controls, also touch-sensitive, can lead to accidental inputs, such as inadvertently setting cruise control. The slider controls, while responsive, lack the precision and immediate feedback of a physical knob. Moreover, some essential features can be buried deep within multiple menus, demanding unnecessary attention from the driver. Even with ongoing software improvements, this interface can be a source of frustration, especially when trying to make quick adjustments while driving. For busy parents, the EV9’s more straightforward, hybrid control setup offers a less distracting and more intuitive experience.
Interior Quality & Ambiance: Does the Price Match the Panache?
Spending upwards of $70,000 on an EV sets a certain expectation for interior quality. Both vehicles deliver good quality, but with nuances.
The EV9 generally edges out the ID. Buzz in material quality. It features more soft-touch surfaces in key areas where hands and arms typically rest, contributing to a more premium feel. The upholstery feels robust and durable, a crucial factor for a family hauler. Even after 10,000+ miles on our test vehicle, the interior showed minimal signs of wear or creaks, speaking to its solid construction. The primary drawback here is aesthetic: the all-gray interior, while functional, can feel a bit somber and lacking in visual excitement compared to the ID. Buzz’s more playful palette.
The ID. Buzz is solidly built, with a fun, visually interesting design and quality materials on certain surfaces. However, it relies more heavily on hard plastics in common touchpoints than the EV9. While the design is engaging, the tactile experience doesn’t always align with its premium price tag. What it lacks in widespread soft-touch materials, it often makes up for in its vibrant color schemes and unique design elements that evoke its heritage, creating a more cheerful and less conventional cabin ambiance. Ultimately, neither vehicle provides an interior that screams “luxury” in the traditional sense of a high-end ICE vehicle at this price point, but the EV9’s more consistent use of higher-grade materials gives it a slight edge in perceived quality.
Cargo Space & Versatility: Hauling What Matters
Beyond passengers, families need to haul gear, groceries, and everything in between. Cargo flexibility is a prime determinant of a family EV’s true utility.
On paper, behind the third row, both EVs offer similar cargo space, hovering around 10 cubic feet by Cars.com’s measurements. However, the ID. Buzz quickly distinguishes itself through its sheer interior volume and unique cargo solutions. When the third row is folded, the ID. Buzz opens up 30.8 cubic feet of space. The real game-changer is the ability to entirely remove the third-row seats, transforming the van into a cavernous hauler with a massive 48.9 cubic feet of cargo room. This is more than double the EV9’s 23.4 cubic feet with its third row folded. This level of versatility makes the ID. Buzz an incredibly practical choice for large hauls, whether it’s moving furniture, transporting sports equipment, or even car camping. The optional cargo shelf, while useful for creating a flat load floor, does raise the floor height and must also be removed to achieve maximum volume. The seats themselves are heavy (around 60 pounds each), so removal isn’t a quick, everyday task, but the option is there for truly maximizing space. Notably, the ID. Buzz does not offer a frunk (front trunk).
The EV9 features a more conventional cargo area, similar to what you’d find in a traditional three-row SUV. With the third row up, it offers a respectable amount of space for groceries or smaller luggage. Folding the third row significantly expands this, and it also benefits from underfloor storage compartments and a small frunk. While the EV9’s frunk is modest, it’s a welcome addition for storing charging cables or small valuables. The EV9’s cargo management is simpler and more integrated, but it simply cannot match the sheer volume and transformational capability of the ID. Buzz when the latter’s third row is completely removed. For families needing occasional immense hauling capacity, the ID. Buzz is the clear winner. For everyday versatility with a frunk, the EV9 holds its own.
Driving Experience: On the Road, With Kids in Tow
How an EV drives is more than just acceleration; it’s about ride comfort, handling, and overall refinement, especially with precious cargo.
The ID. Buzz offers a surprisingly delightful driving experience. Even with its heft and van-like stature, it feels remarkably agile and responsive. The dual-motor AWD system provides smooth, quiet, and predictable power delivery. In Comfort mode, the accelerator pedal feels more immediate and responsive than the EV9’s from a standstill. The ride is well-composed, if firm, but the suspension is notably more refined than the Kia’s, absorbing bumps with less noise and a more buttoned-up feel. Steering is light and precise, making urban maneuvering surprisingly easy. The ‘B’ mode offers near one-pedal driving, effectively slowing the vehicle to an almost complete stop using regenerative braking, requiring only a gentle tap of the brake pedal for a full halt. Outward visibility is generally good, though the unique windshield design and short nose provide a different perspective that takes some getting used to. Despite its higher seating position, the ID. Buzz feels planted and nimble, defying its physical dimensions. Wind noise can become noticeable at higher highway speeds, but the cabin remains largely serene.
The EV9, by comparison, feels more like a conventional SUV in its driving dynamics. It offers the familiar driving position and outward visibility of a traditional SUV, though its sizable B-pillar can obstruct some views. While powerful (379 hp), its off-the-line responsiveness is slightly less immediate than the ID. Buzz. The ride, while generally comfortable, is firmer and less refined than the ID. Buzz’s, with more tire and wind noise intruding into the cabin, especially on less-than-perfect pavement. The suspension also tends to be a bit noisier and rattlier over broken surfaces. However, the EV9 offers multiple regenerative braking levels, including a true one-pedal driving mode that brings the vehicle to a complete stop, a feature missing from the ID. Buzz’s “almost stop” B mode. The EV9’s different drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) also have a more pronounced effect on the driving character, allowing drivers to tailor the experience more significantly. Its robust AWD system and higher ground clearance also make it feel more capable in varied conditions, aligning with its SUV persona. Forward visibility is good, and the rearview camera mirror, coupled with Kia’s excellent blind-spot camera views, greatly enhances confidence, especially when the rear view is obstructed.
For a surprisingly refined and nimble experience that feels unique, the ID. Buzz shines. For a more traditional, sportier SUV feel with customizable driving modes and full one-pedal driving, the EV9 is the better fit.
Range & Efficiency: Tackling the Miles, Especially in Winter
Electric vehicle range and charging capabilities are critical considerations, particularly for families planning longer trips or living in colder climates.
The EV9 holds a clear advantage in EPA-estimated range, boasting 280 miles compared to the ID. Buzz’s 231 miles. This larger battery (99.8 kWh vs. 91 kWh) inherently provides more buffer, especially when temperatures drop. Our real-world cold-weather efficiency test, consisting of a 110-mile route with temperatures well below freezing (17-21 degrees Fahrenheit), confirmed this. The EV9 averaged 2.1 miles per kWh, while the ID. Buzz managed 1.8 miles per kWh. More significantly, at the end of the 113-mile drive, the EV9 had consumed 135 miles of estimated range, leaving 114 miles remaining. The ID. Buzz, after 111 miles, consumed 150 miles of range, with only 48 miles left. This translates to the EV9 simply being more capable for sustained travel, especially in adverse conditions.
Both vehicles offer competitive DC fast-charging speeds (EV9 at 210 kW, ID. Buzz at 200 kW), meaning they can replenish their batteries relatively quickly at compatible charging stations. However, the EV9’s greater initial range means less frequent stops, which is a significant advantage for family road trips, where minimizing downtime is paramount. While neither vehicle is ideal for extreme cold-weather road tripping without careful planning due to the inherent range degradation of EVs in freezing temperatures, the EV9’s larger battery and better efficiency make it the less compromised choice for navigating winter conditions and longer distances between charges.
Which Is Your Family’s Champion for 2025?
Choosing between the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 for your American family in 2025 hinges entirely on your specific needs and lifestyle. Both are outstanding electric three-row vehicles that push the boundaries of sustainable family transport, but they cater to distinct priorities.
If your primary concern is maximum passenger space and comfort across all three rows, especially for adults or growing teenagers, and you value a unique, retro-chic aesthetic that will undoubtedly put a smile on everyone’s face, the ID. Buzz is your champion. Its unparalleled third-row room, cavernous cargo capacity with seats removed, and surprisingly refined driving dynamics make it a joy for everyday family hauling and occasional large-item transport. It’s perfect for the family that embraces individuality and prioritizes spaciousness above all else. However, be prepared to adapt to its touch-heavy user interface and plan charging stops carefully on longer, colder journeys.
If you desire a more traditional yet futuristic SUV experience with a strong emphasis on user-friendly technology (physical controls!), robust everyday storage, a slightly more powerful drivetrain, and significantly better real-world range – particularly for those who venture further or experience colder climates – the Kia EV9 is the superior choice. Its premium front-row comfort, confident SUV stance, and overall balance of features make it an incredibly well-rounded primary family vehicle, capable of tackling most family adventures with greater ease. It offers excellent value in the luxury electric SUV segment, balancing performance, range, and practicality.
Ultimately, both of these innovative electric vehicles represent the exciting future of family mobility. They redefine what’s possible for spacious, sustainable, and stylish transport in 2025. You truly can’t go wrong with either, provided you align their strengths with your family’s unique demands.
Ready to electrify your family’s journey? Explore the cutting-edge features of the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz or the versatile capabilities of the 2024 Kia EV9 at your nearest dealership today, and experience the future of family driving firsthand!
