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2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs. 2025 Kia EV9: Decoding the Ultimate Family EV for a New Era
As a seasoned automotive expert with over a decade immersed in the electric vehicle revolution, I’ve witnessed firsthand the monumental shifts shaping family transport. The year 2025 presents a truly fascinating crossroads, particularly in the three-row EV segment. For years, the market primarily catered to early adopters and performance enthusiasts. Now, we’re seeing a robust expansion into practical, family-centric solutions, and at the forefront of this evolution are two highly anticipated contenders: the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2025 Kia EV9.
These aren’t just new electric vehicles; they represent distinct philosophies for moving families into a sustainable future. On one hand, the ID. Buzz channels an iconic legacy, blending retro charm with cutting-edge electrification. On the other, the EV9 pioneers a bold, futuristic SUV aesthetic, redefining what a mainstream electric utility vehicle can be. While their designs diverge dramatically, their core mission — to comfortably, safely, and efficiently transport multiple occupants — places them in direct competition. Both command a premium price point, typically ranging from the high $60,000s to mid-$70,000s depending on trim and options, making this a critical decision for discerning families.
Having put both through their paces in various real-world scenarios, from urban commutes to simulated road trips, I’m ready to dissect every facet of their performance and practicality. We’ll delve into the nuances of their powertrains, charging capabilities, and critically, how they perform where it matters most for families: interior space, comfort, user experience, and overall utility. The question isn’t just which is “better,” but which is better for your family as we navigate the evolving landscape of 2025 electric mobility.
The Contenders: A Closer Look at Their Electric Foundations
Before diving into the direct comparison, let’s establish a clear understanding of what each vehicle brings to the table for 2025.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz: Retro-Future People Mover
The ID. Buzz is more than just a new van; it’s a cultural statement. Built on Volkswagen’s versatile MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) platform, the long-wheelbase, three-row variant arriving in 2025 for the North American market is specifically engineered for our family needs. Our test model, an AWD Pro S Plus, boasted a dual-motor powertrain generating a healthy 335 horsepower and was equipped with a 91-kWh battery pack.
In terms of range and charging, the EPA estimate for this configuration stands at approximately 231 miles. While not segment-leading, VW has optimized its DC fast-charging capabilities, claiming up to 200 kW, which translates to competitive charging times when hooked up to compatible Level 3 chargers. This means a 10-80% charge can often be achieved in under 30 minutes under ideal conditions, a crucial factor for minimizing downtime on longer journeys. Its regenerative braking system, while effective, falls short of true one-pedal driving, requiring a final brake application to come to a complete halt—a nuance that experienced EV drivers will note.
The 2025 Kia EV9: Bold Utility, Refined Power
The Kia EV9, an immediate hit since its late 2024 debut and carrying seamlessly into 2025, represents Kia’s ambitious push into the premium three-row SUV segment. Our long-term test vehicle, a Land trim with AWD, leverages Kia’s E-GMP platform, renowned for its performance and charging efficiency. It features a larger 99.8-kWh battery, delivering a robust 379 horsepower.
The EV9 excels in range, with an EPA estimate of up to 280 miles for our tested AWD configuration. Its fast-charging capability is equally impressive, supporting rates up to 210 kW. This slightly higher rate, combined with its larger battery, translates to more miles added per minute of charging, often achieving a 10-80% charge in around 25 minutes. The EV9 offers multiple regenerative braking levels, including a comprehensive one-pedal driving mode, providing a more versatile and energy-recovering driving experience. Its slightly higher as-tested price reflects its larger battery and more potent powertrain.
Interior Space and Comfort: Where Families Truly Live
When evaluating family vehicles, the cabin experience isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about practicality, accessibility, and livability. This is where the ID. Buzz and EV9 truly reveal their distinct personalities.
ID. Buzz: The Cavernous Command Center
From the moment you step into the ID. Buzz, its van lineage is apparent. The driver’s seating position is elevated, offering an almost panoramic view, reminiscent of a command center. While some might find the initial climb a bit high, the reward is an expansive glasshouse and excellent forward visibility. However, the deeply raked, upright windshield and extended roofline can create a blind spot for overhead traffic lights, often requiring a slight head tilt to see their status—a minor but recurring ergonomic quirk.
Where the ID. Buzz truly shines is in passenger space. Its long wheelbase translates directly into an incredibly generous second row, easily accommodating three adults with ample legroom and shoulder room. But the real showstopper is the third row. Unlike many SUVs where the third row is an afterthought for small children, the ID. Buzz’s rearmost seats are genuinely adult-friendly. Taller passengers can sit back without their knees brushing the seatbacks ahead, making it a viable option for longer trips, not just short hops. Ingress and egress to the third row are aided by wide openings, although the second-row seats require a bit of manual maneuvering. The overall perception is one of open, airy spaciousness, a stark contrast to the more enclosed feel of many SUVs.
EV9: Sophisticated SUV Comfort
The EV9 presents a more conventional, yet undeniably refined, SUV interior. The front seats are exceptionally comfortable, offering superior cushioning and support compared to the ID. Buzz, making them ideal for extended drives. The driving position is more akin to a traditional SUV, with excellent outward visibility, though the thick B-pillar on the driver’s side can sometimes create a blind spot.
The second row of the EV9, particularly with the optional captain’s chairs, is a comfortable retreat. Amenities like integrated window sunshades and ventilated seats elevate the experience, and the dual moonroof enhances the open cabin feel. However, despite being very good, it doesn’t quite match the sheer expansive volume of the ID. Buzz’s second row. The third row in the EV9 is functional but ultimately more constrained. While adults can manage short distances, particularly if second-row passengers slide their seats forward, it’s best reserved for children or smaller adults on longer journeys. Kia’s thoughtful one-touch folding and sliding second-row seats do make third-row access significantly easier, a clear advantage for busy parents.
Verdict: For maximum occupant space across all three rows, especially for taller adults, the ID. Buzz is the clear winner. For front-row comfort and premium second-row amenities, the EV9 holds a slight edge.
In-Cabin Storage: Practicality for the Modern Family
A family vehicle isn’t just about moving people; it’s about organizing their gear, snacks, and gadgets. Thoughtful storage solutions can dramatically enhance the daily usability of an EV.
EV9: The Organized Utility Hub
The Kia EV9 excels in practical storage. Its front center console is a masterclass in functional design, offering a large, covered bin for valuables, well-placed cupholders, and a convenient open lower storage area ideal for larger items like a handbag or small backpack. The implementation of sliding trays and bins for second-row passengers further underscores Kia’s commitment to utility. The wireless phone charger is strategically placed and generally accommodates most modern smartphones, even with cases, which is a small but significant detail often overlooked. This approach feels mature and well-considered for diverse family needs.
ID. Buzz: Quirky Charm, Limited Practicality
The ID. Buzz, with its open-concept interior, offers a different philosophy. While the overall cabin feels incredibly spacious, dedicated small-item storage is surprisingly limited. The center console between the front seats is compact, and its compartments are smaller than those in the EV9. There’s a clever pull-out bin from the backside, but it offers minimal capacity. While you can easily place a backpack or purse on the floor, it lacks dedicated, secure stowage. Fun, albeit less practical, touches like a bottle opener/ice scraper integrated into console dividers are charming but don’t address core storage needs. The hidden wireless phone charger next to the steering wheel, while effective, struggles with larger phones or those in bulkier cases, which can be a recurring frustration.
Verdict: The EV9’s larger, more conventional, and better-executed storage solutions make it more useful for the typical items a family carries. The ID. Buzz prioritizes open space, sometimes at the expense of practical cubbies.
User Interface and Technology: Navigating the Digital Dash
The central nervous system of any modern EV lies in its user interface and infotainment system. A seamless, intuitive experience is paramount for reducing driver distraction and enhancing convenience.
EV9: Balanced and Intuitive
The Kia EV9 strikes a commendable balance between digital innovation and analog familiarity. Its touchscreen infotainment system (12.3 inches) is intuitive, with clear menus and responsive graphics. Crucially, Kia retains a healthy array of physical controls for frequently used features like climate temperature, audio volume, and heated/ventilated seats. This hybrid approach significantly reduces the learning curve and allows for quick, tactile adjustments without having to navigate through screen menus. While the climate control panel on the dashboard can be partially obscured by the steering wheel for some drivers, and the touch-sensitive controls below the main screen can be accidentally triggered, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise well-designed system. The EV9’s drive mode selector integrated with the start-stop button is a unique, though initially unintuitive, design choice.
ID. Buzz: The Touch-Heavy Test
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz, like many of its modern ID. family siblings, leans heavily into touch-sensitive controls, a decision that continues to be a point of contention. While the central touchscreen infotainment system (12.9 inches) boasts vibrant colors, excellent responsiveness, and logically tiled menus, the frustration begins with the controls outside the screen. The touch-sensitive steering wheel controls are prone to accidental activation, particularly for cruise control settings, which can be startling. Similarly, the haptic sliders for volume and temperature, while visually sleek, lack the precise feedback of physical buttons, often leading to over-adjustments. Critical features can also be buried deep within sub-menus, necessitating a multi-step process for common tasks. While VW has made strides in refining these systems, they still represent a steeper learning curve and a greater potential for driver distraction compared to the EV9’s more tactile approach.
Verdict: The EV9’s thoughtful blend of physical buttons and intuitive touchscreen operation makes it the superior interface for daily family use. The ID. Buzz’s reliance on touch controls, while aesthetically modern, often compromises user-friendliness.
Interior Quality and Materials: Crafting the Cabin Experience
The interior quality of a $70,000+ vehicle should reflect its premium price tag. Both the ID. Buzz and EV9 aim to deliver, but their approaches differ.
EV9: Understated Premium
The Kia EV9’s interior exudes an understated premium feel. High-quality, soft-touch surfaces are strategically placed where occupants frequently interact, such as armrests and dashboard sections. Kia has made significant strides in sustainable materials, utilizing recycled plastics and vegan leather throughout the cabin, which contributes to its modern, eco-conscious appeal. Despite our long-term tester accruing over 10,000 miles, the interior shows minimal signs of wear, creaks, or rattles, speaking to solid build quality. The all-gray interior color scheme, while sophisticated, can sometimes feel a bit somber compared to the more vibrant options in the ID. Buzz.
ID. Buzz: Visually Engaging, Material Mix
The ID. Buzz cabin is undeniably visually interesting and features delightful design touches. It offers a more colorful and playful aesthetic, immediately evoking its retro heritage. The build quality feels solid, and some surfaces feature high-quality materials. However, it incorporates a greater proportion of hard plastics, particularly on lower door panels and center console areas, compared to the EV9. While these are durable for family life, they don’t always align with the “premium” feel expected at this price point. The overall fit and finish are good, but the material choices are more of a mix, prioritizing visual appeal and robustness over consistent soft-touch luxury.
Verdict: The EV9 takes a slight lead in overall material quality and consistent soft-touch applications, providing a more universally premium feel. The ID. Buzz, while charming and well-built, has a more varied material palette that might not always justify its price tag for every buyer.
Cargo Space and Versatility: Hauling More Than Just Kids
For families, a vehicle’s ability to swallow gear, groceries, and luggage is almost as important as its ability to transport people. Both EVs offer impressive cargo solutions, but with different philosophies.
ID. Buzz: The Ultimate Cargo Transformer
The ID. Buzz truly embraces its van heritage when it comes to cargo versatility. Behind the third row, Cars.com measurements show about 10 cubic feet, comparable to the EV9. However, the ID. Buzz introduces a unique multi-level cargo shelf system. When the third row is folded, and the shelf is in place, it creates a flat load floor, making it easy to slide in larger items, providing 30.8 cubic feet of space. The real game-changer is the removable third row. Each section weighs around 60 pounds, making it a two-person job, but once removed (along with the cargo shelf), the ID. Buzz transforms into a cavernous hauler, offering a colossal 48.9 cubic feet of space. This is more than double the EV9’s equivalent capacity. While there’s no frunk, the sheer volume inside, particularly with seats removed, makes it unparalleled for large cargo tasks, from furniture runs to camping trips.
EV9: Conventional, Yet Capable
The Kia EV9 offers a more conventional, but highly competent, cargo setup. Behind the third row, it provides similar space to the ID. Buzz. With the third row folded flat, the EV9 opens up to 23.4 cubic feet of cargo area, which is substantial for most family needs. The process of folding the seats is straightforward and doesn’t require removal. Additionally, the EV9 features useful underfloor cargo storage in the rear and a small, but practical, frunk (front trunk), ideal for charging cables or small bags. While it doesn’t offer the sheer, massive volume of the ID. Buzz with its seats removed, the EV9’s cargo area is highly functional, easily accessible, and requires no heavy lifting to maximize space.
Verdict: For sheer maximum cargo volume and the ability to transform into a mini-mover, the ID. Buzz is unrivaled. For more conventional, easily accessible, and versatile cargo solutions with the added benefit of a frunk, the EV9 is highly capable.
Driving Experience: On the Road with Electric Families
How these vehicles drive—their power, handling, ride comfort, and overall refinement—is critical for daily enjoyment and long-distance comfort.
ID. Buzz: Nimble & Refined Surprise
The ID. Buzz delivers a surprisingly nimble and refined driving experience that defies its van proportions. Even with 335 horsepower, it feels more responsive off the line than the EV9 in Comfort mode, thanks to its immediate electric torque and well-calibrated accelerator pedal. Power delivery is smooth, quiet, and predictable, making for effortless city driving.
The suspension tuning is a highlight. While firm, it’s remarkably composed and refined, absorbing road imperfections with a solid, buttoned-up feel that suppresses road noise better than the Kia. The steering is light yet precise, making urban maneuvering and parking surprisingly easy. Despite its height, the ID. Buzz doesn’t feel top-heavy; it corners with confidence and stability. The elevated driving position provides excellent forward visibility, though the thick front pillars can sometimes obstruct views. Wind noise becomes noticeable at higher highway speeds, but otherwise, the cabin remains pleasantly quiet. The “B” mode for regenerative braking is effective, providing near one-pedal driving, but requires a final brake press for a complete stop.
EV9: Potent & Athletic Utility
The Kia EV9, with its 379 horsepower, offers a more potent and athletic driving experience at higher speeds. While the ID. Buzz feels quicker off the line, the EV9 will ultimately overpower it in a straight sprint. Its driving modes have a more pronounced effect: Eco feels noticeably softer, while Sport sharpens throttle response and steering considerably, making it the relatively “sportier” choice.
However, the EV9’s ride quality is a step below the ID. Buzz’s in terms of refinement. Its suspension can be noisier and feels harsher over broken pavement, transmitting more road imperfections into the cabin. Tire and wind noise are also more noticeable, impacting overall cabin serenity, especially on the highway. While forward visibility is good and even better than the VW for some, the thick B-pillar can be intrusive. Rear visibility is excellent, aided by a digital rearview mirror option and Kia’s confidence-inspiring blind-spot camera views. Its one-pedal driving mode is a convenient feature, offering maximum energy recuperation.
Verdict: The ID. Buzz surprises with its refined, composed, and surprisingly nimble ride, making it a pleasant cruiser for families. The EV9 offers more raw power and a sportier feel, but at the cost of some ride comfort and cabin quietness compared to the VW.
Real-World Efficiency and Range: Navigating the Electric Frontier
For any EV, especially a family hauler, real-world range and charging efficiency are paramount. This becomes even more critical in adverse conditions.
Cold-Weather Efficiency: A Critical Test
Our cold-weather efficiency drive, spanning approximately 110 miles of mixed highway and country roads in freezing temperatures (17-21 degrees Fahrenheit), revealed important distinctions. Both vehicles were driven normally with climate control in Auto.
At the start, the EV9 indicated 249 miles of range, while the ID. Buzz showed 198 miles—both notably lower than their EPA estimates, a typical consequence of cold weather. Over the route, the EV9 traveled 113 miles but consumed 135 miles of estimated range, ending with 114 miles remaining. It averaged 2.1 miles per kWh. The ID. Buzz, traveling 111 miles, consumed a more significant 150 miles of estimated range, leaving only 48 miles. It averaged 1.8 miles per kWh.
The results are clear: the EV9 proved slightly more efficient in cold weather, and its greater overall battery capacity meant it started with a more substantial buffer. While neither is ideal for extensive cold-weather road trips due to the need for frequent charging, the EV9’s superior range offers greater peace of mind and flexibility when temperatures plummet. This becomes a crucial factor for families living in colder climates or those who frequently undertake winter travel.
Verdict: The EV9’s larger battery and slightly better efficiency make it the more capable option for maintaining range and reducing charging stops, especially in cold weather.
Which is Right for Your Family in 2025?
After dissecting every aspect of these two compelling three-row electric vehicles, the question remains: which one should you choose for your family in 2025? The answer, as always, lies in your priorities and lifestyle.
Choose the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz if:
Maximum Passenger Space is Key: You regularly transport six or seven adults, or need an exceptionally roomy third row for growing kids and their friends.
Unique Style is a Must: You’re drawn to its iconic, retro-futuristic design and want a vehicle that truly stands out. It’s more than transportation; it’s a statement.
Ride Comfort and Refinement are Top Priorities: You value a smooth, composed, and surprisingly nimble ride that feels buttoned-up over varied road surfaces.
Ultimate Cargo Versatility (with effort): You need the ability to transform your vehicle into a massive cargo hauler by occasionally removing the third-row seats for big shopping trips or adventures.
Urban & Suburban Dominance: Your primary driving is city and suburban, where its excellent maneuverability and passenger space truly shine.
Choose the 2025 Kia EV9 if:
Longer Range and Cold-Weather Performance are Critical: You frequently undertake longer journeys or live in a cold climate, valuing its superior EPA range and better cold-weather efficiency.
Intuitive Tech Experience is Essential: You prefer a user interface that balances touchscreens with physical controls, minimizing distraction and learning curves.
Premium Mainstream SUV Feel: You appreciate a more traditional, yet modern and sophisticated, SUV aesthetic and a consistently high-quality interior feel.
Streamlined Daily Utility: You value practical, well-designed in-cabin storage, an easy-to-use cargo area (without seat removal), and the convenience of a frunk.
Potent Performance: You prefer a more powerful, arguably sportier driving dynamic, with robust acceleration and configurable drive modes.
Neither of these electric family vehicles is a true long-haul road trip champ in sub-freezing conditions, but the EV9’s extended range gives it a distinct advantage for moderate journeys, especially if you’re strategic with charging stops. The ID. Buzz is an unparalleled people mover for daily duties and light hauling, a lifestyle statement for the modern family. The EV9 is a robust, well-rounded, and exceptionally competent primary family vehicle, blending utility with cutting-edge EV technology.
In 2025, both the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and Kia EV9 represent excellent choices for families looking to embrace electric mobility without sacrificing space or practicality. Your decision ultimately hinges on which vehicle’s strengths align most closely with your family’s unique needs, driving habits, and aesthetic preferences.
Ready to experience the future of family electric vehicles? We invite you to explore the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2025 Kia EV9 firsthand. Visit your local dealership today to schedule a test drive, delve into financing options, or speak with a sales expert who can help tailor the perfect EV solution for your family. The road ahead is electric, and your ideal family EV awaits!
