The 2025 Electric Family Frontier: Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs. Kia EV9 – An Expert Deep Dive
The landscape of family transportation is undergoing a profound transformat
ion. In 2025, electric vehicles are no longer niche curiosities but sophisticated, capable machines challenging traditional gasoline-powered mainstays. For families ready to embrace sustainable mobility without compromising practicality or style, two contenders stand out with distinctly different approaches: the retro-futuristic 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the bold, modern 2024 Kia EV9. Having spent over a decade evaluating automotive innovation, I’ve watched the EV market mature, and this head-to-head comparison isn’t just about specs; it’s about which vehicle truly integrates into the complex, dynamic life of an American family.
While one evokes nostalgic road trips and the other futuristic suburban adventures, both offer three rows of seating and compelling arguments for electrifying your garage. They aim to move people and their precious cargo efficiently, safely, and comfortably. This isn’t merely a contest of kilowatts and cubic feet; it’s an examination of design philosophy, user experience, and real-world utility in a rapidly evolving market. Let’s peel back the layers and see which of these premium electric offerings best serves the modern family in 2025.
The Electrifying Contenders: A 2025 Market Overview
At first glance, the ID. Buzz and EV9 appear to occupy different universes. The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an undeniable head-turner, a joyous reinterpretation of the iconic VW Bus, now fully electric. Its two-tone paint schemes and distinctive silhouette make it a lifestyle statement as much as a mode of transport. Our test model, an AWD Pro S Plus, commands an as-tested price of $70,540, positioning it firmly in the luxury electric SUV and van segment. Power comes from a 335-horsepower dual-motor powertrain, fed by a 91-kilowatt-hour battery, delivering an EPA-estimated 231 miles of range. DC fast-charging up to 200 kW promises relatively quick top-offs on compatible networks, a crucial factor for EV ownership costs.
Conversely, the 2024 Kia EV9 projects a more conventional yet undeniably futuristic SUV aesthetic. Its sharp lines, geometric patterns, and imposing stance reflect Kia’s commitment to avant-garde design. Our long-term test vehicle, a Land trim with AWD, came in at $74,305. It boasts a more robust 379 horsepower from its dual motors and a larger 99.8-kWh battery, translating to a more generous EPA-estimated 280 miles of range. Its DC fast-charging capability nudges slightly higher at 210 kW. In the competitive 2025 EV incentives landscape, both vehicles are priced where federal and state incentives could significantly impact the total cost of ownership, making them attractive options for families seeking sustainable family transport. While the ID. Buzz leans into character and charm, the EV9 pushes for range and raw power—key differentiators for discerning buyers.
Interior Space & Comfort: Beyond the Spec Sheet
When it comes to ferrying a family, interior space and comfort are paramount. The ID. Buzz and EV9 approach this challenge from divergent design philosophies, and the results are immediately apparent.
Stepping into the ID. Buzz, the driving position is uniquely elevated, reminiscent of a classic van. The upright windshield and extended roofline offer an expansive view, though, as I’ve noted in other vans, overhead stoplights can sometimes disappear unless you lean forward. Despite the climb into the driver’s seat – running boards would certainly be a welcome addition for some – the overall sensation is one of airy spaciousness. While the seats themselves are comfortable, they don’t quite match the plushness of the EV9’s front two rows. However, the ID. Buzz redeems itself in sheer passenger volume. Its second row is incredibly generous, surpassing the EV9’s already commendable space. But it’s the third row where the ID. Buzz truly shines, offering enough headroom and legroom for taller adults to genuinely be comfortable on extended journeys. This isn’t merely “kid-friendly” space; it’s legitimate adult accommodation, a rare find in the three-row EV segment.
The Kia EV9, on the other hand, delivers a more traditional SUV driving experience. Its front seats are expertly contoured and cushioned, providing superior support and ergonomics for a wider range of drivers. The open cabin feel, augmented by the dual moonroof setup and available ventilated captain’s chairs in the second row, creates a premium EV interior. The EV9’s second row is undoubtedly excellent, offering ample room and amenities. However, its third row, while accessible with one-touch folding and sliding second-row seats, remains best suited for children or shorter adults on brief trips. The ability for second-row passengers to slide their seats forward helps, but it’s still a tighter squeeze compared to the cavernous ID. Buzz. For a family prioritizing maximum occupant space across all three rows, especially for older children or adult passengers, the ID. Buzz’s design as a true family road trip EV gives it a distinct advantage.
In-Cabin Storage: Practicality for the Modern Family
Daily family life involves an endless stream of “stuff”—snacks, phones, tablets, water bottles, bags, and countless small items. How well an EV manages this deluge of paraphernalia can significantly impact the user experience.
The Kia EV9 excels in this practical domain. Its front center console is a masterclass in functional design, offering multiple compartments for both small items and drinks, alongside a large, open lower storage area perfect for a purse, small backpack, or even a pair of shoes. The implementation of a slide-out bin and tray for second-row passengers further enhances its utility, making it a truly practical electric car. The EV9’s dedication to thoughtful storage solutions is evident throughout the cabin.
The ID. Buzz, despite its overall spaciousness, feels surprisingly less organized for smaller items. The center console between the front seats is compact, and its storage areas are modest. While there’s a small bin that opens from the back, it’s dwarfed by the EV9’s offerings. The open and airy cabin does mean you can easily toss a bag onto the floor, but dedicated, secured storage is limited. Some of the ID. Buzz’s “fun” touches, like console dividers doubling as a bottle opener and ice scraper, are novel but less practical than the EV9’s straightforward utility. Even the wireless phone charger, cleverly tucked away, didn’t accommodate my standard-sized iPhone 12 in its protective case, a minor annoyance that speaks to a slight oversight in everyday user needs. For families who rely on well-organized interior storage to maintain sanity on the road, the EV9’s superior cargo solutions electric design is a clear winner.
User Interface & Infotainment: The Digital Command Center
In 2025, the electric vehicle’s user interface is its brain, dictating how easily and intuitively drivers interact with essential functions. This is a critical area where design philosophy dramatically impacts daily living.
The Kia EV9, in my expert opinion, sets a higher benchmark for an intuitive car interface. Its touchscreen infotainment system is responsive and logically laid out, but critically, Kia wisely retains physical buttons for frequently used features like climate control temperature, volume, and heated/ventilated seats. This blend of digital and tactile controls significantly reduces cognitive load while driving, allowing for quick adjustments without eyes leaving the road for too long. While I did find the small climate system touch panel on the dashboard to be partially obstructed by the steering wheel, these controls can be expanded onto the central touchscreen for better access. The presence of dedicated controls for drive modes and cameras further enhances its usability, making it a very driver-centric system for a modern family.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, regrettably, falls victim to a trend I’ve criticized across several modern VW models: an over-reliance on touch-sensitive controls. While its 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system boasts excellent graphics, intuitive tile menus, and richer colors than the Kia, the frustration begins with the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls. Accidental activations, like setting cruise control by simply brushing them, are a common occurrence. The sliders for volume and temperature, while responsive, lack the precision of physical knobs, often requiring multiple attempts to hit the desired setting. Furthermore, the system occasionally locks itself for “safety reasons” and can present unnecessary pauses when adjusting climate, disrupting an otherwise smooth experience. Some crucial features are buried several layers deep within menus, a design choice that adds complexity to simple tasks. While the ID. Buzz showcases advanced EV tech with its vibrant display, the EV9’s more balanced approach to its digital dashboard electric system ultimately delivers a superior, safer user experience.
Interior Quality & Materiality: A $70,000 Expectation
When shelling out upwards of $70,000 for a family vehicle, whether it’s an electric luxury SUV or a premium electric van, expectations for interior quality are justifiably high. Both the ID. Buzz and EV9 deliver commendable cabins, but neither quite reaches the echelon of true opulence suggested by their price tags.
The Kia EV9 takes a slight lead in this category. Its material quality is consistently very good, with soft-touch surfaces strategically placed where arms and hands naturally rest. The upholstery feels robust and of higher quality, demonstrating excellent durability even after over 10,000 miles of rigorous testing; the interior remains free of creaks or excessive wear. While the all-gray color scheme in our test vehicle felt a bit somber, Kia offers other palettes that inject more personality. The EV9’s interior is a testament to solid electric car craftsmanship, aligning with 2025 automotive design trends focusing on sustainability and long-term quality.
The ID. Buzz, while solidly built with visually interesting design elements and quality materials on some surfaces, relies more heavily on hard plastics than its price point suggests. While the lighter, often two-tone interior options are far more visually engaging and colorful than the EV9’s more conservative palette, the tactile experience isn’t as consistently premium. There’s less soft-touch trim on common touchpoints, and while the overall build is tight, the pervasive use of plastic lessens the perceived luxury EV features. Both vehicles, while excellent, serve as a reminder that the cost of advanced EV technology can sometimes constrain the budget for interior material extravagance at certain price points.
Cargo Versatility: Hauling Life’s Necessities
For a family vehicle, cargo space isn’t just about cubic feet; it’s about versatility and ease of use. Both the ID. Buzz and EV9 offer ample room, but their designs lead to different strengths.
Behind the third row, both EVs provide similar initial cargo capacity, around 10 cubic feet by our measurements—enough for a few grocery bags or small duffels. However, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz truly shines when its third row is folded or, even better, entirely removed. With the third row down, cargo space expands to an impressive 30.8 cubic feet. Removing the entire third row unlocks a cavernous 48.9 cubic feet of space, more than double the EV9’s 23.4 cubic feet in a similar configuration. This transformable space makes the ID. Buzz an incredibly utilitarian electric vehicle, ideal for larger hauls or even moving small furniture. The caveat: each third-row section is heavy (around 60 pounds), requiring significant effort to remove, and a modular cargo shelf also needs to be removed for maximum capacity. The ID. Buzz, however, lacks a frunk (front trunk), a small but useful space for charging cables or dirty items.
The 2024 Kia EV9 features a more conventional cargo area, akin to a gasoline-powered three-row SUV. Its design includes convenient underfloor storage and, importantly, a frunk that’s perfectly sized for charging equipment or emergency kits. While its overall cargo volume with the third row folded is good, it cannot compete with the sheer volume liberated by the ID. Buzz’s removable third row. The EV9’s loading floor is also generally lower, making it easier to load heavy items. For daily utility and easy access, the EV9 is highly competent, but for maximum, transformative hauling capability, the ID. Buzz’s unique architecture makes it the superior choice for road trip EV storage and serious cargo needs.
Driving Dynamics: The Road Ahead
The driving experience of an EV is often characterized by instant torque and a quiet cabin, but subtle differences in suspension tuning, steering feel, and powertrain response can dramatically alter the perception behind the wheel.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz delivers a surprisingly delightful driving experience. Despite its van-like stature, it feels remarkably agile and composed. The 335-hp dual-motor setup provides smooth, quiet, and predictable power delivery. Even in Comfort mode, the accelerator pedal is responsive from a standstill, giving it a nimble feel in urban environments. The suspension tuning is firm but highly refined, absorbing road imperfections with a damped, buttoned-up feel that translates to a notably quiet ride – much less noisy than the Kia’s. Steering is light and direct, making the ID. Buzz easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Its “B” mode offers near-one-pedal driving, effectively slowing the vehicle to an almost complete stop, although a final brake pedal press is needed, which means it lacks true one-pedal driving found in some rivals. Outward visibility is generally good, though the unique windshield design and short nose create a different perspective that takes some getting used to.
The 2024 Kia EV9, while more powerful at 379 hp, presents a different character. It feels more like a traditional SUV in its driving position and outward visibility, although the thick B-pillar on the left side can obstruct views. The EV9 offers more noticeable differentiation between its drive modes—Eco genuinely feels economical, and Sport injects a palpable sportiness. However, compared to the ID. Buzz, the EV9’s ride is noticeably harsher and noisier, particularly on broken pavement. Tire and wind noise are more prominent in the cabin. While the EV9 offers multiple regenerative braking levels, including a true one-pedal driving mode, the overall suspension refinement trails the Volkswagen. For drivers seeking a smoother, quieter, and more car-like electric driving dynamics despite the vehicle’s size, the ID. Buzz has an edge. However, the EV9’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and robust camera views (including blind-spot cameras) enhance driver confidence, making it a strong contender for its overall comprehensive package.
Real-World Efficiency & Range Anxiety Mitigation
For any electric vehicle, particularly a family hauler, real-world efficiency and range are paramount. These factors directly impact the convenience of ownership, especially when considering long-distance EV travel.
The 2024 Kia EV9, with its larger 99.8-kWh battery, consistently outperforms the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz in range, providing an EPA-estimated 280 miles compared to the ID. Buzz’s 231 miles. This difference becomes even more critical in colder climates. Our cold-weather efficiency test, conducted in sub-freezing temperatures (17-21 degrees Fahrenheit) over a 110-mile route of mixed interstate and country roads, highlighted this disparity. The EV9 averaged 2.1 miles per kWh, whereas the ID. Buzz managed 1.8 miles per kWh. More significantly, after the drive, the EV9 still had 114 miles of estimated range remaining, while the ID. Buzz was down to just 48 miles.
This translates directly into reduced range anxiety for the EV9 owner. While neither vehicle would be my first choice for a dedicated cold-weather road trip due to the increased charging frequency, the EV9’s superior range and efficiency make it considerably more tolerable. The charging infrastructure 2025 is certainly more robust than ever, but every extra mile of real-world range reduces stops and the associated waiting time, a significant benefit for families with tight schedules. Understanding battery degradation EV and optimizing charging habits are key to maximizing range, but the EV9 simply starts with a larger, more efficient foundation for electric vehicle efficiency.
Conclusion: The Verdict for Your Family’s Future
Choosing between the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 isn’t a simple right-or-wrong decision; it’s about aligning a vehicle’s strengths with your family’s unique lifestyle and priorities. Both represent compelling advancements in the 2025 EV market, pushing the boundaries of what a family vehicle can be.
If your primary need is unparalleled passenger space across all three rows, particularly for adults, and a truly distinctive, joyous design that doubles as a lifestyle statement, the ID. Buzz is your vehicle. Its refined ride, nimble feel, and extraordinary cargo versatility (when the third row is removed) make it a dream for large families or those with unique hauling needs. It’s a bold choice, an experience as much as a mode of transport.
However, if you prioritize a more conventional yet equally futuristic SUV form factor, superior real-world range, more user-friendly interior storage, and an intuitive, less frustrating user interface with physical controls, the Kia EV9 stands out. Its balanced approach to power, efficiency, and advanced driver assistance systems makes it a highly capable and well-rounded primary family vehicle, better suited for longer hauls and the diverse demands of daily life.
Ultimately, both vehicles exemplify the exciting future of family transport. Your ideal choice hinges on whether maximum character and ultimate spaciousness trump a slightly more practical, longer-range, and user-friendly daily driver.
Ready to electrify your family’s journey? Explore the unique charisma of the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz or the refined capability of the 2024 Kia EV9 today. We invite you to experience these groundbreaking electric vehicles firsthand and discover which one truly resonates with your vision for sustainable family adventures.
