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2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs. Kia EV9: Charting the Course for Electric Family Mobility
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the intricate currents of the electric vehicle (EV) market, witnessing its remarkable evolution from niche novelty to mainstream necessity. As we steer into 2025, the automotive landscape offers an unprecedented array of choices, particularly for families seeking to electrify their daily commutes and weekend adventures. Two compelling contenders have emerged to vie for the title of the ultimate family EV: the highly anticipated 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the already impactful Kia EV9.
These aren’t just vehicles; they represent distinct philosophies in the burgeoning three-row electric segment. On one hand, the ID. Buzz electrifies nostalgia, a modern ode to Volkswagen’s iconic microbus, promising a unique blend of retro charm and futuristic technology. On the other, the Kia EV9 confidently stakes its claim as a bold, contemporary electric SUV, redefining what a family hauler can be. While their aesthetics diverge dramatically, their core mission — to move families comfortably, efficiently, and sustainably — unites them.
The question isn’t merely which one is “better,” but rather, which one aligns more perfectly with your family’s specific needs and aspirations in the dynamic 2025 market. Both command a premium, with as-tested prices hovering around the $70,000 mark (all prices include destination charges, though exact figures can vary by options and dealer markups). The choice demands a meticulous examination, pushing beyond initial impressions to uncover the true strengths and subtle compromises of each. Let’s embark on a deep dive, leveraging a decade of industry insight, to discern which of these cutting-edge electric family movers truly shines.
Powertrain and Performance: Beyond the Numbers
In the realm of electric family vehicles, raw horsepower often takes a backseat to smooth, accessible torque and refined drivability. However, in 2025, consumers expect both efficiency and a spirited drive.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, in its Pro S Plus AWD configuration, generates a robust 335 horsepower from its dual-motor setup, powered by a 91-kilowatt-hour battery pack. On paper, it presents a compelling package, especially for those accustomed to the instantaneity of electric propulsion. In real-world driving, the ID. Buzz demonstrates a surprising alacrity off the line. Its acceleration is not merely adequate; it’s genuinely responsive, delivering a smooth, silent surge that makes merging onto highways or navigating city traffic feel effortless. The power delivery is predictable and linear, instilling confidence behind the wheel. From my experience with countless EVs, this is a critical factor for family vehicles: ample power without feeling overly aggressive or twitchy. The all-wheel drive system ensures confident traction in various conditions, a non-negotiable for many families.
The Kia EV9, particularly in its Land AWD trim, boasts a slightly higher output at 379 horsepower, drawing from a larger 99.8-kWh battery. This translates to a discernible edge in outright acceleration, particularly at higher speeds. While the ID. Buzz feels eager, the EV9 can feel a bit more authoritative when you demand rapid acceleration. Its various drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport—offer more distinct personality shifts than the ID. Buzz, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle’s response from laid-back efficiency to spirited performance. For those who enjoy a more dynamic driving experience, even in a family hauler, the EV9’s slightly sportier demeanor might appeal. Both vehicles leverage advanced battery technology to deliver their power, showcasing the rapid advancements in the industry over the past few years.
Regarding charging infrastructure, both vehicles support high-speed DC fast charging, a crucial consideration for any long-distance EV traveler in 2025. The ID. Buzz claims up to 200 kW, while the EV9 edges it out slightly with up to 210 kW. In practice, charging speeds are influenced by many factors, including the charger’s output, battery temperature, and state of charge. However, these figures indicate that both vehicles are designed to minimize downtime at compatible charging stations, a significant benefit as the national charging network continues to expand and mature.
Ultimately, while the EV9 holds a slight advantage in raw power, both provide ample performance for daily family duties. The ID. Buzz delivers a unique, refined experience, while the EV9 offers a touch more dynamism for those who crave it.
Interior Sanctuary: Space, Comfort, and Family Functionality
When it comes to family EVs, the interior isn’t just a cabin; it’s a mobile living room, a quiet retreat, and often, a logistical command center. How these vehicles manage space, comfort, and user experience for all occupants is paramount.
Stepping into the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an experience in itself. Its design language is a clear nod to its iconic predecessor, but reimagined with a distinctly modern, minimalist aesthetic. The upright seating position offers a commanding view of the road, though some drivers might find the extended forward roofline and upright windshield occasionally obscure overhead stoplights, requiring a slight tilt of the head. This “delivery van” feel, while unique, takes some adjustment. The seats themselves, while not as plush as the EV9’s, are comfortable and supportive for longer journeys. Where the ID. Buzz truly excels is in its sheer volumetric space. This is a cavernous interior, especially evident in the second and, crucially, the third row. Tall adults can genuinely sit comfortably in the ID. Buzz’s third row, a feat rarely achieved in this segment. The long wheelbase contributes significantly to this expansive feel, making the second row also exceptionally roomy. If maximum occupant space across all three rows is your non-negotiable priority, the ID. Buzz is unequivocally superior.
The Kia EV9, on the other hand, embraces a more traditional SUV cabin layout, albeit with a futuristic twist. The front seats are notably comfortable, offering excellent cushioning and support that I’ve found to be a consistent strong suit for Kia in recent years. The second-row captain’s chairs (available depending on configuration) are also highly comfortable and offer thoughtful amenities like integrated window sunshades, enhancing privacy and comfort for passengers. However, the EV9’s third row, while commendable for an SUV of its class, is still best suited for children or smaller adults on shorter trips. While access is made easier with one-touch second-row folding and sliding, it can’t match the ID. Buzz’s ability to accommodate taller passengers without compromise. The dual moonroof setup in the EV9 contributes to an airy, open cabin feel, which is a nice touch.
In terms of interior materials, both vehicles aim for a premium feel, though with different approaches. The EV9 offers a good array of soft-touch surfaces where you’d typically rest your arms, and the upholstery feels durable and high-quality, maintaining its integrity even after extensive use (as seen in long-term test models). The ID. Buzz features visually interesting and quality materials on some surfaces, but it does rely on more hard plastics in certain areas, which might feel less premium for a vehicle in this price bracket. The ID. Buzz often features lighter, more colorful interior schemes which can feel more playful and inviting than the EV9’s often more conservative, albeit well-executed, gray interiors.
Ultimately, for pure, unadulterated passenger space, particularly in the critical third row, the ID. Buzz takes the crown. The EV9 offers excellent comfort in the first two rows and a more conventional, high-quality SUV environment.
Digital Command Centers: User Experience and Connectivity
In 2025, an electric vehicle’s user interface (UI) and connectivity features are as critical as its powertrain. A seamless digital experience can elevate daily driving, while a frustrating one can detract significantly.
The Kia EV9 leverages its established platform to offer a relatively traditional yet highly functional user interface. Its touchscreen infotainment system is intuitive, with clear menus and good responsiveness. Crucially, Kia has retained a sensible balance between digital and physical controls. Dedicated buttons for frequently used features like climate control temperature, heated and ventilated seats, and audio functions are present and easily accessible. This pragmatic approach minimizes driver distraction, allowing for quick adjustments without delving into complex menus. While there’s a small climate system touch panel on the dashboard that can be partially obscured by the steering wheel for some drivers, these controls can thankfully be expanded to the central touchscreen for better visibility. The inclusion of physical controls is a significant advantage in my book; after years of evaluating various systems, the tactile feedback of a physical button remains unmatched for ease of use while driving.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, however, leans heavily into the touch-sensitive paradigm that VW has experimented with in other models. While its touchscreen infotainment system boasts excellent graphics, vibrant colors, and generally intuitive tile menus, the reliance on haptic feedback and touch sliders for features beyond the screen can be a source of frustration. The touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, for instance, are prone to accidental activation, such as inadvertently setting cruise control. Similarly, the touch sliders for volume and temperature, while responsive, lack the precision and immediate feedback of physical knobs. This can lead to fumbling or overshooting desired settings, especially on bumpy roads. In a family vehicle where quick, precise adjustments are often needed for climate or audio, this can be a real drawback. While VW has shown signs of reverting to more physical controls in some of its newer designs, the ID. Buzz retains this touch-heavy philosophy.
Both vehicles offer robust connectivity options, including smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), advanced navigation systems, and over-the-air update capabilities, which are standard expectations for premium EVs in 2025. The EV9 also benefits from Kia’s well-developed suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and connected car services, which are seamlessly integrated through its UI. While the ID. Buzz also features a comprehensive array of safety and assistance technologies, the overall user interaction with these systems feels more polished and less prone to user error in the EV9 due to its more hybrid control strategy.
In summary, the EV9’s blend of an intuitive touchscreen with well-placed physical controls creates a superior user experience, prioritizing driver focus and ease of use. The ID. Buzz, while visually impressive, sacrifices some practicality for its modern, touch-centric design.
Stowage Savvy: Cargo and In-Cabin Storage Solutions
Family life demands versatile storage. From daily essentials to sports equipment, groceries, or luggage for a weekend getaway, an effective family EV must offer clever and ample stowage.
The Kia EV9 excels in traditional storage solutions. Its front center console is well-designed, providing ample space for drinks, small items, and even larger objects in an open lower storage area. The sliding center console for second-row passengers is also a practical touch, offering bins and trays for their convenience. Beyond the cabin, the EV9 features a respectable cargo area behind the third row, useful underfloor storage, and even a small “frunk” (front trunk), which is perfect for storing charging cables or a small bag. With the third row folded flat, the EV9’s cargo capacity expands significantly, mirroring the utility expected from a contemporary three-row SUV.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, true to its van roots, offers a unique approach to cargo. While it lacks a frunk, its sheer interior volume, which benefits passenger space, also translates directly to impressive cargo-hauling potential when seats are folded or removed. Behind the third row, measured cargo space is similar to the EV9. However, the ID. Buzz introduces a clever, removable cargo shelf that aligns the rearmost cargo area with the folded third-row backrest, creating a flat load floor. Beneath this shelf are soft-sided storage bins, though their long-term durability and ease of cleaning are questionable. The real magic happens when the third row is removed entirely, transforming the ID. Buzz into a veritable cavern, offering double the cargo space of the EV9 with its third row down. This enormous, unobstructed volume is unparalleled in the segment. The caveat, however, is the weight of each third-row section (around 60 pounds each), making their removal a two-person job and requiring a place to store them when not in use.
For in-cabin storage of smaller items, the ID. Buzz is surprisingly less adept than its open interior might suggest. The center console between the front seats is compact, and its storage areas are relatively small. While there are fun touches like a small bin that opens from the backside or dividers that double as a bottle opener/ice scraper, these are more novelty than practical utility for everyday family clutter. The wireless phone charger, while functional, might not accommodate larger phones with robust cases, which can be an annoyance for many users.
Therefore, for sheer, configurable cargo volume when the third row is removed, the ID. Buzz is the undisputed champion. However, for practical, everyday in-cabin storage and conventional cargo flexibility without major seat removal, the EV9’s more thoughtfully designed bins and spaces prove more useful and user-friendly.
On the Road: Driving Dynamics and Refinement
How an electric family vehicle feels on the road — its ride quality, handling, and overall refinement — profoundly impacts the daily experience. Both the ID. Buzz and EV9 offer distinct driving personalities.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz delivers a genuinely pleasant and surprising driving experience. Despite its van-like stature and relatively heavy curb weight, it feels remarkably nimble and agile. The steering is light and direct, making city maneuvers and parking surprisingly easy. Its suspension tuning, while firm, is exceptionally refined, absorbing road imperfections with a composure that minimizes harshness and cabin noise. This “buttoned-up” feel suggests a well-engineered chassis. Power delivery, as noted earlier, is smooth and predictable. What truly impresses is its overall cabin quietness, with minimal road or motor noise, though some wind noise can be present at higher highway speeds. The ID. Buzz’s “B” mode for regenerative braking offers near-one-pedal driving, a convenient feature that contributes to efficiency and reduces driver fatigue, though it requires a final brake pedal press to come to a complete stop. Outward visibility is generally good, despite the unique windshield design, with few significant blind spots.
The Kia EV9, while also a capable performer, adopts a more conventional SUV driving dynamic. Its driving position and outward visibility are akin to a traditional gasoline-powered three-row SUV, which will be familiar and reassuring to many drivers. However, compared to the ID. Buzz, the EV9’s suspension, while competent, can feel a bit less refined, allowing more noise and intrusion from rough pavement into the cabin. Tire and wind noise are also more noticeable in the EV9 at highway speeds, making the ID. Buzz the quieter of the two in many scenarios. The EV9 does offer a greater range of regenerative braking levels, including a true one-pedal driving mode, which can be a personal preference for some EV enthusiasts. Its steering is well-weighted, and the vehicle feels stable and planted, even when pushed. While the EV9 can be the “sportier” choice with its higher horsepower, the ID. Buzz often feels more cohesive and refined in its overall ride quality.
From a visibility standpoint, the EV9 generally offers good forward visibility and significantly better rear visibility than the ID. Buzz, especially with passengers or cargo blocking the rear window (where a camera mirror can compensate). Kia’s integration of blind-spot camera views, activated with the turn signal, further enhances driver confidence.
In essence, the ID. Buzz offers a remarkably smooth, refined, and unexpectedly agile drive for its size, prioritizing comfort and quietude. The EV9 delivers a more traditional, slightly firmer SUV experience with a touch more power and strong visibility aids.
Range Anxiety & Real-World Efficiency: The 2025 Perspective
Range and efficiency remain critical considerations for EV adoption in 2025, particularly for families contemplating longer journeys. EPA estimates provide a baseline, but real-world conditions, especially cold weather, can significantly impact performance.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, in its Pro S Plus AWD configuration, has an EPA-estimated driving range of 231 miles on a full charge. The Kia EV9 Land AWD, conversely, boasts a more substantial EPA estimate of 280 miles. This nearly 50-mile difference is significant, particularly in a segment where range directly correlates with convenience and reduced “range anxiety.”
Our cold-weather efficiency testing underscored this disparity. On a challenging 110-mile route consisting of mixed highway and country roads, with temperatures consistently below freezing (17-21 degrees Fahrenheit), both vehicles experienced a reduction in their projected range—a common characteristic of EVs in cold conditions due to battery chemistry and the energy demand of cabin heating. The EV9 demonstrated superior efficiency, averaging 2.1 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh), compared to the ID. Buzz’s 1.8 miles per kWh. This translated directly to the remaining range: after the test, the EV9 had 114 miles left, while the ID. Buzz had just 48 miles.
This real-world data highlights a crucial point for families: while both vehicles are perfectly capable for daily commutes and shorter trips, the EV9’s greater inherent range and better cold-weather efficiency make it a more viable option for longer road trips, especially during winter months. Frequent charging stops are still a reality for either vehicle on extended cold-weather journeys, but the EV9 offers a larger buffer and potentially longer stretches between charges. The continued evolution of EV charging infrastructure in 2025 certainly helps, but maximizing range between stops remains a key benefit.
For families whose driving patterns frequently involve highway travel or who live in colder climates, the EV9’s superior range and efficiency profile offer a distinct advantage, minimizing the logistical planning required for longer journeys and making the overall experience smoother.
Value Proposition: Pricing, Incentives, and Long-Term Ownership
Investing in a new electric family vehicle in 2025 means considering more than just the sticker price. Federal and state incentives, long-term running costs, and potential resale value all contribute to the true cost of ownership.
Both the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the Kia EV9 position themselves at the premium end of the family EV market, with as-tested prices comfortably in the low $70,000s. The ID. Buzz Pro S Plus AWD, for example, comes in around $70,540, while the EV9 Land AWD we tested was $74,305 (though Kia has streamlined some options for 2025, potentially adjusting this slightly). It’s critical for consumers to factor in that these prices are before any applicable federal or state EV tax credits and incentives. The landscape for electric vehicle tax credits in 2025 is dynamic, with strict requirements on battery component sourcing and final assembly location, so checking eligibility for specific models and your personal tax situation is paramount. Both manufacturers are actively navigating these requirements to maximize consumer benefit.
From a long-term ownership perspective, EVs generally offer lower fuel costs compared to gasoline vehicles, especially if charged at home during off-peak hours. Maintenance costs can also be lower due to fewer moving parts. However, premium electric vehicles, like these two, still represent a significant initial investment. The “cost of ownership electric car” equation benefits significantly from a vehicle’s longevity and reliability, areas where both VW and Kia have been making significant strides. The “electric car resale value 2025” market is still maturing, but strong demand for popular models like these suggests they will hold their value well compared to some gasoline counterparts.
The decision on value often comes down to priorities. If the ID. Buzz’s unique styling and unmatched interior space are paramount, its price tag may feel justified for the experience it offers. If the EV9’s greater range, more traditional SUV utility, and refined user interface are more appealing for a primary family vehicle, its slightly higher price might represent a better long-term “value” in terms of versatility and practicality. Both models are poised to benefit from ongoing “electric car incentives” and the growing “sustainable automotive solutions” market, making their overall proposition attractive for forward-thinking families.
The Verdict: Tailoring Your Electric Family Journey
After dissecting every facet of the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the Kia EV9, it’s clear that both are exceptional electric vehicles designed to meet the evolving needs of modern families. However, their strengths and weaknesses carve out distinct paths, making the “better” choice entirely dependent on your specific priorities.
If your primary goal is to maximize occupant space, particularly in the third row, and you crave a unique, retro-futuristic aesthetic that stands out from the sea of SUVs, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is your unrivaled champion. It delivers an incredibly refined and agile driving experience for its size, an undeniably charming personality, and a colossal cargo capacity when its third row is removed. It’s an excellent choice for families who regularly ferry multiple adults or older children, or for those who envision it as a lifestyle statement, perhaps as an addition to an existing vehicle fleet. Its slightly lower range and touch-heavy interface are compromises, but its sheer charisma and interior volume are unmatched.
Conversely, if you’re seeking a more conventional, well-rounded three-row electric SUV that can confidently serve as a primary family vehicle, the Kia EV9 is the compelling choice. Its superior EPA-estimated range and better cold-weather efficiency make it more adaptable for road trips and diverse climates, mitigating “range anxiety.” The EV9 offers a more traditional yet comfortable SUV driving experience, a highly intuitive user interface with a beneficial balance of physical controls, and more practical in-cabin storage for everyday essentials. It blends luxury, utility, and cutting-edge EV technology into a package that feels more familiar while still pushing boundaries.
Neither of these groundbreaking EVs is perfect for long-distance cold-weather road trips without careful planning, but both represent significant strides in family-focused electric mobility. The ID. Buzz is the joyful, spacious rebel, while the EV9 is the pragmatic, powerful pioneer.
As the electric vehicle market matures, the choices become more nuanced and exciting. The journey to a sustainable future is paved with vehicles like these, offering families compelling alternatives to traditional gasoline power.
Choosing the right family EV in 2025 isn’t just about horsepower or range; it’s about finding the vehicle that harmonizes with your family’s rhythm, values, and lifestyle. Both the ID. Buzz and EV9 are formidable contenders, pushing the boundaries of what an electric family vehicle can be.
The next step is yours. We invite you to explore these incredible machines further, perhaps with a test drive, to truly feel the difference and discover which electric vision best aligns with your family’s future. The road ahead is electric – are you ready to embark on it?
