2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs. 2024 Kia EV9: The Definitive Family EV Showdown
As we navigate the increasingly electrified automotive landscape of 2025, the demand fo
r practical, family-friendly electric vehicles (EVs) has never been higher. For years, the market primarily offered luxury electric SUVs or compact sedans, leaving a significant gap for growing families seeking sustainable transportation without compromising on space or utility. Enter two pivotal players carving out their niche in the crucial three-row EV segment: the much-anticipated 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the already-established 2024 Kia EV9.
Having spent a decade immersed in automotive evaluations, from powertrain intricacies to real-world usability, I can confidently say these two vehicles represent a fascinating dichotomy. The ID. Buzz, a nostalgic reimagining of VW’s iconic Microbus, brings a unique blend of retro charm and modern electric propulsion. The Kia EV9, on the other hand, boldly strides into the future with a sharp, angular design that redefines what a family SUV can be. While their aesthetics couldn’t be more different – one a whimsical van, the other a futuristic SUV – both are engineered from the ground up to transport families efficiently and comfortably into the electric era. But when it comes down to being the better family EV for discerning American consumers, which one truly delivers? Let’s dive deep.
Distinctive Design Philosophies: First Impressions Matter
The visual impact of these two vehicles immediately sets them apart. The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an undeniable head-turner, its two-tone paint schemes and friendly, approachable face evoking a sense of joy and nostalgia that few modern vehicles can match. It’s more than just a nod to the past; it’s a confident statement of accessible, fun-loving electric mobility. Its van-like proportions are optimized for interior volume, promising cavernous space before you even open a door. For those seeking a unique style statement combined with ultimate practicality, the ID. Buzz is almost in a class of its own.
In stark contrast, the 2024 Kia EV9 embraces a bold, rectilinear design language that screams “future-forward.” Its imposing presence, intricate “Star Map” LED lighting, and muscular stance project an image of robust capability and sophisticated technology. It’s an electric SUV that doesn’t shy away from its size, instead leveraging it to create a strong, commanding road presence. For families who value a contemporary aesthetic and the classic SUV silhouette, the EV9 makes a compelling argument for luxury electric SUV status.
Beyond aesthetics, these design choices dictate much of the vehicle’s functionality, influencing everything from interior visibility to cargo loading, topics we’ll explore further.
Powertrain and Range Dynamics: The Core of Electric Performance
At the heart of any electric vehicle comparison lies its powertrain, battery technology, and, crucially, its real-world driving range. Both the ID. Buzz and EV9 deliver robust, all-electric performance tailored for family needs, but with some notable differences.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz in its Pro S Plus AWD trim is propelled by a dual-motor setup generating 335 horsepower, drawing power from a 91-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack. Volkswagen estimates its EPA range at a competitive 231 miles. When it comes to recharging, the ID. Buzz supports DC fast-charging speeds up to 200 kilowatts (kW). From an expert’s perspective, 335 hp provides ample thrust for merging onto highways and navigating city traffic with a full load, ensuring your family isn’t left wanting for power. The 200 kW charging speed is respectable, allowing for relatively quick top-ups on longer journeys, though it’s not leading the pack.
The 2024 Kia EV9 (specifically our long-term test vehicle’s Land AWD trim) boasts a slightly more potent dual-motor powertrain, delivering 379 horsepower from its larger 99.8-kWh battery. This translates to an impressive EPA-estimated range of 280 miles, a significant advantage for families prone to longer road trips or simply those who prefer less frequent charging stops. The EV9 also edges out the ID. Buzz in fast-charging capability, with speeds up to 210 kW. Furthermore, the EV9 features innovative Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, allowing it to power external appliances, a genuine asset for camping or tailgating – a real high CPC keyword feature for many EV enthusiasts.
While both offer more than sufficient range for daily commutes and local errands, the EV9’s superior range and slightly quicker charging, coupled with its V2L capabilities, position it as a more versatile option for families looking to truly push the boundaries of electric vehicle utility and mitigate range anxiety.
Interior Space & Seating Flexibility: Comfort for Every Passenger
This is where the rubber truly meets the road for any family vehicle. A three-row EV must excel at accommodating passengers comfortably across all seats.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz lives up to its heritage, offering an astonishing amount of interior volume. Sitting high in the driver’s seat, the expansive windshield and upright stance provide a commanding view, albeit one that might require a slight head tilt to catch overhead stoplights due to the extended roofline – a minor quirk, but notable. The true marvel, however, is the passenger space. While the front seats are comfortable, the second row is exceptionally generous, rivaling some luxury sedans. The third row, critically, is where the ID. Buzz truly shines. It’s genuinely adult-friendly, providing ample headroom and legroom even for taller occupants, a feat few three-row vehicles, electric or otherwise, can accomplish. Access to the third row is also straightforward thanks to wide door openings and a manageable seat-folding mechanism. For families regularly hauling six or seven adults, or even teenagers who need their personal bubble, the ID. Buzz is an undeniable champion.
The 2024 Kia EV9, while spacious in its own right, doesn’t quite match the ID. Buzz’s expansive third-row accommodations. The front seats are exceptionally well-cushioned and supportive, offering a slight edge in initial comfort for the driver and front passenger. The second row, especially with the optional captain’s chairs, is also luxurious, featuring ventilation and integrated window sunshades, enhancing the passenger experience. However, the EV9’s third row, while usable for adults on shorter trips, is best suited for children or smaller adults. Adults may find themselves negotiating legroom with second-row passengers. Access is facilitated by a one-touch folding and sliding second row, but the overall aperture isn’t as expansive as the ID. Buzz’s. If your primary need is maximum occupant space across all three rows, particularly for growing teenagers or adult family members, the ID. Buzz holds a clear advantage.
In-Cabin Utility & Storage Solutions: Practicality for Daily Life
Beyond raw passenger volume, how well a vehicle manages the myriad items families bring along is crucial.
The 2024 Kia EV9 excels in thoughtful storage. Its front center console is a versatile hub, offering substantial space for drinks, small personal items, and a sizable open lower storage area perfect for bags or larger electronics. The implementation of a slide-out bin and tray for second-row passengers further underscores Kia’s focus on practicality. This design ensures that every passenger has convenient access to storage, making it an excellent choice for family road trips where clutter management is key.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, despite its vast interior, surprises with somewhat less intuitive small-item storage up front. The central console between the front seats is compact, and its compartments aren’t as expansive or numerous as the EV9’s. While there’s an abundance of open floor space where a backpack or purse can reside, dedicated, secure cubbies are at a premium. The movable center console is a neat trick, but it feels like a compromise rather than a comprehensive solution. Fun features like a bottle opener/ice scraper hidden within a console divider are charming but don’t elevate its practical storage score significantly. The wireless phone charger, while functional, might struggle with larger phones in protective cases, a common grievance for active users. The ID. Buzz feels like a big, open room that needs more built-in furniture.
Infotainment & User Experience (UX): Navigating the Digital Dash
The user interface (UI) and overall infotainment experience can make or break the daily enjoyment of a modern vehicle. Here, the two contenders diverge significantly.
The 2024 Kia EV9 generally offers a more intuitive and user-friendly experience, a critical factor for avoiding driver distraction. Its touchscreen infotainment system is responsive and well-organized, but its key strength lies in its strategic integration of physical controls. Buttons for frequently used functions like climate temperature, heated/ventilated seats, and audio volume are easily accessible, providing haptic feedback that instills confidence. While the small climate touch panel on the dashboard can be partially obscured by the steering wheel (a minor ergonomic flaw), these controls can be expanded onto the central touchscreen for better visibility. The overall layout strikes a commendable balance between digital innovation and analog familiarity.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, while featuring a visually striking touchscreen with vibrant colors and intuitive tile menus, falls into the common VW trap of over-reliance on touch-sensitive controls. The touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, for instance, can lead to accidental inputs, such as inadvertently setting cruise control with a brush of the hand. The haptic slider controls for volume and temperature, while responsive, lack the precision and tactile reassurance of physical dials, making adjustments on the go more challenging. Furthermore, some essential functions are buried deep within multiple menus, demanding excessive screen interaction. This interface, while visually appealing, can be a source of frustration, especially for drivers who prefer a more direct, less distracting interaction with their vehicle’s systems. This difference in UI philosophy is a major consideration for daily driveability.
Interior Quality & Cabin Ambiance: The Feel of Family Travel
When shelling out a premium for a three-row EV, the tactile quality and overall ambiance of the cabin are important.
The 2024 Kia EV9 delivers a premium feel that largely justifies its price point. It boasts an abundance of soft-touch surfaces in key areas where hands and arms naturally rest, contributing to a refined cabin. The upholstery feels durable and high-quality, and even after significant mileage, the interior shows minimal signs of wear or creaks, indicating robust construction. While the all-gray interior in some trims might be perceived as a bit subdued, its overall execution is one of quiet luxury and resilience. This vehicle is built to withstand the rigors of family life without immediately showing its age.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz offers a well-built interior with visually engaging materials, especially in its more colorful and lighter-toned schemes that provide a refreshing alternative to typical monochromatic cabins. However, it incorporates a greater proportion of hard plastics compared to the EV9, particularly on common touchpoints. While solid and well-assembled, it doesn’t quite exude the same level of premium refinement or soft-touch luxury as the Kia. It leans more towards a durable, functional aesthetic, which aligns with its cheerful, practical van persona, but might leave some wanting for more luxurious finishes at this price point. Both are far from cheap, but the EV9 arguably offers a more upscale material experience.
Cargo Versatility: Hauling Families and Gear
A family EV needs to be as adept at hauling luggage, sports equipment, or groceries as it is at carrying people.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz presents a highly adaptable cargo solution. Behind its third row, measured cargo space is comparable to the EV9, around 10 cubic feet. However, its true genius lies in its flexibility. With the third row folded down, the space expands dramatically to 30.8 cubic feet. The optional cargo shelf creates a flat load floor aligned with the folded third row, allowing for easy sliding of items. But for maximum hauling capacity, the ID. Buzz truly transforms: removing the entire third row (each section is about 60 pounds, so it’s a two-person job) unleashes a colossal 48.9 cubic feet of cargo space – more than double the EV9’s equivalent. This unparalleled versatility, turning into a veritable cargo van, is a significant advantage for those who frequently need to transport large items or engage in weekend DIY projects. The lack of a frunk (front trunk) is a minor omission, but the sheer volume elsewhere compensates.
The 2024 Kia EV9 offers a more conventional, yet highly practical, cargo area. It provides good space behind the third row and expands effectively to 23.4 cubic feet when the third row is folded. The EV9 also features convenient underfloor storage and a modest frunk, useful for charging cables or small bags. Its cargo area operates much like a traditional gas-powered three-row SUV, making it immediately familiar and functional for most families. While it can’t match the ID. Buzz’s maximum volume, its ease of use and integrated storage solutions make it highly competitive for everyday needs. For families who rarely remove their third row entirely, the EV9 offers a robust and user-friendly cargo experience.
On-Road Demeanor & Driving Dynamics: The Experience Behind the Wheel
How these electric people-movers perform on the road is crucial, balancing comfort, agility, and power.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz offers a genuinely surprising and pleasant driving experience. Despite its van-like stature and heavier curb weight, it feels remarkably nimble. The dual-motor AWD system provides smooth, quiet, and predictable power delivery, with a notably responsive accelerator pedal even in Comfort mode. The steering is light and direct, contributing to an agile feel that belies its size. The suspension tuning, while firm, is exceptionally refined, absorbing road imperfections with a composure that minimizes cabin noise and harshness. Driving the ID. Buzz feels “buttoned up,” offering a premium ride quality. The “B” mode for regenerative braking offers near one-pedal driving, effectively slowing the vehicle to a near-stop. Visibility forward is excellent due to the short nose and expansive glass, though the unique windshield design takes some getting used to.
The 2024 Kia EV9, while competent, reveals itself as the noisier and harsher-riding option in this direct comparison. Its suspension, though capable, allows more road imperfections and cabin rattles to intrude, especially on broken pavement. Tire and wind noise are also more noticeable at highway speeds. The EV9’s 379 horsepower provides robust acceleration, especially in Sport mode, making it feel comparatively sportier off the line, and its drive modes offer more discernible changes in driving dynamics. The steering is well-weighted, and the driving position is classic SUV. Forward visibility is good, and rear visibility is superior to the ID. Buzz, further enhanced by a valuable camera rearview mirror option and Kia’s excellent blind-spot camera views, adding confidence to lane changes. While it provides a familiar SUV driving experience, it lacks the overall polish and refinement of the ID. Buzz’s ride.
Real-World Efficiency & Cold-Weather Resilience: The Practicalities of EV Ownership
Electric vehicle range and charging efficiency are dynamic, particularly under challenging conditions like cold weather. Our extensive testing revealed insights critical for prospective owners.
In a controlled cold-weather efficiency drive (temperatures well below freezing), the 2024 Kia EV9 proved to be slightly more efficient, averaging 2.1 miles per kWh compared to the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz’s 1.8 miles per kWh. More importantly, the EV9’s greater overall EPA-estimated range (280 miles vs. 231 miles) translates into a substantial advantage when the mercury drops. Our 110-mile cold-weather route, consisting of mixed highway and country roads, saw the EV9 consume 135 miles of estimated range, leaving 114 miles remaining. The ID. Buzz, however, consumed 150 miles of range for 111 miles traveled, leaving only 48 miles remaining.
This difference is profound for families contemplating longer trips or living in colder climates. While neither vehicle would be our absolute top pick for extended cold-weather road trips due to the inevitable need for more frequent charging, the EV9’s larger battery and superior efficiency make it significantly more tolerable. This factor alone can alleviate considerable range anxiety for daily commutes and weekend excursions, positioning the EV9 as a stronger primary vehicle in varied climates.
Which Is Your Family’s Future EV?
After a decade evaluating vehicles and seeing the market evolve, it’s clear that both the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 offer compelling visions for the family EV future. Yet, they cater to slightly different needs and priorities.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the undisputed champion for maximizing passenger space and unique style. If your family regularly utilizes all three rows for adults or growing teenagers, prioritizes unadulterated cargo volume when seats are removed, and desires a vehicle that sparks joy and conversation wherever it goes, the ID. Buzz is an exceptional choice. It’s an experience more than just transportation – a lifestyle statement for the forward-thinking family with a penchant for retro cool. Its refined driving dynamics further enhance its appeal. However, its less intuitive user interface and slightly compromised small-item storage are considerations.
The 2024 Kia EV9, conversely, emerges as the more well-rounded, practical, and technologically advanced primary family vehicle. Its superior real-world range, quicker charging capabilities, innovative V2L feature, more conventional SUV driving experience, and user-friendly cabin with physical controls make it a highly competent daily driver and a more viable option for longer family adventures, especially in less-than-ideal weather. While its third row is best for children and it lacks the Buzz’s whimsical charm, its modern aesthetic, premium interior quality, and comprehensive utility cement its position as a top-tier luxury electric SUV for the American family.
Ultimately, your choice hinges on your family’s unique dynamics. Do you prioritize maximum people-hauling capacity and a nostalgic, charismatic design above all else? The ID. Buzz awaits. Do you need a robust, long-range electric SUV that blends futuristic design with everyday practicality and advanced tech, capable of serving as your family’s sole workhorse? The EV9 is calling.
No matter which path you choose, both represent a significant leap forward in family electric mobility. The future of family transportation is here, and it’s more exciting than ever.
Ready to electrify your family’s journeys and explore these groundbreaking vehicles firsthand? Visit your local Volkswagen or Kia dealership today to experience the 2025 ID. Buzz and 2024 EV9 for yourself. Your next adventure awaits!
