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Navigating the Electric Family Frontier: 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz vs. 2024 Kia EV9 – An Expert Comparison
The automotive landscape for families is rapidly electrifying, and by 2025, discerning buyers are faced with a compelling choice between two distinct, yet equally innovative, three-row electric vehicles: the much-anticipated 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the already established 2024 Kia EV9. As an industry veteran who has seen the evolution of EVs from niche products to mainstream powerhouses over the past decade, I can confidently say that these aren’t just new cars; they represent different philosophies for sustainable family transport.
On one side, the ID. Buzz emerges as a retro-futuristic homage to VW’s iconic Microbus, injecting a heavy dose of nostalgia into an advanced electric platform. It’s more than a van; it’s a statement. Our tested ID. Buzz, a Pro S Plus AWD variant, comes with an EPA-estimated 231 miles of range from its 91 kWh battery, powered by a 335-horsepower dual-motor setup, and boasts DC fast-charging capabilities up to 200 kilowatts. Its as-tested price rings in at $70,540, including destination.
Conversely, the Kia EV9, our long-term test vehicle for nearly a year, represents the vanguard of the electric SUV segment. As a Land trim with AWD, it offers a more robust EPA-estimated 280 miles of range from a larger 99.8 kWh battery, generating a potent 379 horsepower. Its quicker DC fast-charging at up to 210 kW positions it as a strong contender for those prioritizing range and charging speed. At $74,305 as tested (with minor pricing adjustments for 2025 models eliminating specific paint options), it sits in a similar premium electric vehicle bracket.
While their aesthetics diverge dramatically – one a charismatic electric van, the other a bold, blocky electric SUV – both are engineered from the ground up to move people and their gear efficiently and sustainably. This isn’t merely a contest of specifications; it’s a deep dive into which vehicle genuinely better serves the dynamic needs of a modern family. We’ve put these premium electric vehicles through their paces, evaluating everything from daily usability and interior dynamics to real-world efficiency and overall driving pleasure. Let’s peel back the layers and uncover which one carves out its niche as the superior family EV for 2025.
Interior Space and Passenger Comfort: Where Roominess Reigns
Verdict: For families prioritizing expansive passenger accommodation across all three rows, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz stands as the unrivaled champion.
From the moment you attempt to settle into the ID. Buzz’s driver’s seat, its unique character is apparent. The elevated seating position, almost reminiscent of a commercial delivery van, provides a commanding view of the road, though some drivers might appreciate optional running boards for easier ingress. The upright windshield and extended roofline, while contributing to its signature profile, can create minor blind spots for overhead traffic lights, often requiring a slight head tilt to catch the signal change – a quirk you adapt to.
While the ID. Buzz’s seats may not offer the same plush cushioning as the EV9’s first and second rows, they provide commendable support for long journeys. What truly sets the ID. Buzz apart, however, is its sheer generosity of passenger volume. The third row, often an afterthought in many three-row vehicles, is remarkably spacious. Taller adults will find genuinely comfortable seating here, a stark contrast to the often-cramped rearmost accommodations of many competitors. It rivals the spaciousness found in the EV9’s second row, which itself is quite good.
The Kia EV9’s third row, designed for two occupants, is notably more constrained. While adults can manage short trips if second-row passengers slide their seats forward, it remains best suited for children. The ease of access to the third row in the EV9, facilitated by one-touch second-row folding and sliding mechanisms, is commendable, yet the ID. Buzz’s larger opening and natural spaciousness negate this slight convenience advantage. My decade of experience tells me that true third-row usability is a rare commodity in this segment, and the ID. Buzz delivers it with surprising authority. The longer wheelbase of the ID. Buzz genuinely translates into superior legroom and overall comfort, especially in the crucial second row, even with the EV9’s thoughtful additions like ventilated captain’s chairs and integrated window sunshades. When it comes to pure, unadulterated space for every occupant, the ID. Buzz is simply in a league of its own for an electric vehicle. This attribute alone makes it a formidable contender for large families seeking a genuine people-mover in the 3-row electric vehicle category.
Smart Storage Solutions: More Than Just Cupholders
Verdict: The 2024 Kia EV9’s intelligently designed, larger and more conventional storage compartments make it the more practical choice for everyday items a family carries on the road.
In the realm of in-cabin storage, the Kia EV9 demonstrates a clear, pragmatic understanding of family needs. Its front center console is a masterclass in utility, offering versatile compartments for everything from small personal effects and beverages to a cavernous open lower storage area ideal for larger bags or electronics. This design prioritizes function, providing accessible and usable space for the inevitable clutter of family life.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, while undeniably roomy and airy, presents a different philosophy towards storage – one that favors open, minimalist aesthetics over sheer utility for smaller items. The center console between the front seats is notably compact, with smaller, less accommodating storage areas. While it features a clever bin that opens from the rear, its capacity pales in comparison to the EV9’s more generous provisions. The ID. Buzz’s movable center console is a neat trick, but the absence of a dedicated, substantial second-row storage solution means front-row occupants often find themselves sharing or improvising. Fun touches like integrated bottle openers and ice scrapers within console dividers are charming, but from an expert perspective, they don’t quite compensate for the lack of truly practical, everyday storage. Even the nearly hidden wireless phone charger, while functional, struggles to accommodate larger smartphones in protective cases, a common reality for many users. The EV9’s blend of traditional and modern storage, including a large console bin, a substantial under-console area, and well-executed slide-out bins and trays for second-row passengers, simply offers superior family vehicle practicality. This makes the EV9 a more intuitive and less frustrating environment for organizing the paraphernalia of daily life.
User Interface and Technology Integration: A Digital Divide
Verdict: The 2024 Kia EV9’s balanced approach, incorporating intuitive touchscreen menus alongside essential physical controls, offers a superior user experience compared to the 2025 ID. Buzz’s touch-heavy interface.
When evaluating the digital heart of these vehicles – their user interfaces – the Kia EV9 takes a pragmatic lead. Its infotainment system is intuitively laid out, with a responsive touchscreen complemented by an array of physical buttons for frequently accessed functions like climate control temperature, heated/ventilated seats, and audio adjustments. This hybridization offers the best of both worlds, ensuring critical controls are always at your fingertips without delving into sub-menus. While the small climate system touch panel on the dashboard can be partially obscured by the steering wheel for some drivers, this can be mitigated by expanding those controls to the central touchscreen. Similarly, the digital dashboard’s turn signal camera views can be partially blocked, a minor ergonomic oversight.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, while featuring a visually rich and responsive touchscreen with reasonably intuitive tile menus, falls into a common VW pitfall: an over-reliance on touch-sensitive controls beyond the screen itself. The touch-sensitive steering-wheel controls are particularly frustrating; accidental swipes can inadvertently activate features like cruise control, leading to an irritating user experience. Volume and temperature adjustments, handled by imprecise touch sliders, further compound this issue, lacking the tactile feedback and precision of physical dials. Even its advanced infotainment system suffers from occasional, unnecessary pauses when adjusting climate settings, sometimes locking inputs for perceived safety reasons. Critical features are sometimes buried deep within multiple menus, disrupting focus while driving.
As an expert in automotive technology, I consistently advocate for a balance. While the EV9 isn’t entirely without its quirks – the drive mode selector/start-stop button combo feels unintuitive, and the climate display’s obstruction is a genuine drawback – its overall execution with more physical controls for primary functions makes it safer and less distracting. The EV9’s infotainment screen, though slightly smaller at 12.3 inches compared to the ID. Buzz’s 12.9 inches, still delivers excellent functionality and visual clarity. In the rapidly evolving world of connected car technology, usability and safety are paramount, and Kia’s design philosophy here resonates more strongly with real-world driving needs.
Craftsmanship and Interior Aesthetics: Beyond the Price Tag
Verdict: The 2024 Kia EV9 edges out the 2025 ID. Buzz in interior quality with more soft-touch materials and a sense of refinement, though neither truly delivers a “luxury” interior commensurate with their $70,000+ price point.
Stepping into either of these premium electric vehicles, one immediately confronts the expectation set by their substantial price tags. The Kia EV9 generally presents a higher caliber of interior materials. Soft-touch surfaces are strategically placed where occupants typically rest their arms, contributing to a sense of thoughtful design. The upholstery feels of a higher grade, and even after over 10,000 miles on our long-term tester, the cabin exhibits remarkable durability, with no discernible wear or intrusive creaks. However, its overall aesthetic, often characterized by an all-gray color scheme, can be perceived as somewhat subdued or even a bit boring, lacking the vibrant personality one might expect in a modern EV.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, conversely, offers a more visually engaging and often more colorful interior, which aligns well with its cheerful exterior. Its build quality is solid, and certain surfaces showcase interesting textures and quality materials. Yet, it relies on a greater proportion of hard plastics, particularly on common touchpoints, which detracts slightly from the perceived premium feel. While well-assembled, it doesn’t quite match the EV9’s consistent application of soft-touch trim. Both vehicles, despite their advanced electric powertrains and innovative designs, struggle to fully justify their premium pricing purely on interior material quality when compared to established luxury brands. It’s a common observation across the burgeoning electric SUV segment: manufacturers are often prioritizing advanced battery technology and digital integration over traditional luxury interior appointments at this price point. An expert’s eye recognizes the inherent trade-offs, but the EV9’s cabin feels just a touch more refined and built to last.
Cargo Versatility: Hauling People or Gear?
Verdict: While initial cargo space behind the third row is similar, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz utterly dominates in overall cargo capacity, especially with its third row folded or removed, making it the ultimate family hauler for serious hauling needs.
When it comes to ferrying not just people, but their accompanying luggage, sports equipment, or even light furniture, cargo space becomes a critical differentiator for any family EV. Measured behind the third row, both the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 offer approximately 10 cubic feet – a respectable, if not enormous, amount for groceries or small bags.
However, the ID. Buzz quickly pulls away as the superior choice for versatility. Its unique cargo area features a shelf that aligns with the folded third-row backrest, creating a level load floor. Beneath this shelf are soft-sided storage bins, useful for stashing items, though their practicality for heavy-duty, potentially dirty cargo is debatable. The real magic happens when you fold the third row, unlocking a generous 30.8 cubic feet of space. More impressively, the ability to completely remove the third-row seats (though each section is a hefty 60 pounds, and requires removal of the cargo shelf) transforms the ID. Buzz into a cavernous transport solution, boasting a staggering 48.9 cubic feet of cargo volume by our measurements. This is more than double the EV9’s 23.4 cubic feet with its third row stowed. The caveat, of course, is having a place to store those bulky third-row seats when not in use. Unlike many modern EVs, the ID. Buzz foregoes a frunk (front trunk), a minor concession to its classic van design.
The Kia EV9, by contrast, offers a more conventional, yet still highly practical, cargo area. With its third row folded, it provides a substantial space, augmented by underfloor storage and a small but useful frunk, which the ID. Buzz lacks. This traditional SUV approach is perfectly adequate for most family trips, but it simply cannot compete with the sheer volume and modularity offered by the ID. Buzz when the situation demands maximum hauling capacity. For those who frequently need to transition between people-mover and cargo-mover, the ID. Buzz’s impressive versatility and innovative design for space utilization make it a standout choice.
Driving Dynamics and On-Road Experience: The Soul of the Ride
Verdict: The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz surprises with its refined, agile, and buttoned-up driving experience, though its range can limit longer journeys. The 2024 Kia EV9 offers a more conventional SUV feel with greater range, but sacrifices some ride composure.
The driving experience is where the distinct engineering philosophies of these two electric vehicles truly manifest. The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, despite its van proportions and substantial curb weight, delivers a surprisingly nimble and engaging drive. Even in its “Comfort” mode, the accelerator pedal offers immediate, smooth, and predictable responsiveness from a standstill, outperforming the EV9 in initial snap. Its dual-motor, 335-horsepower powertrain moves the vehicle with an effortless quietness that belies its size.
What genuinely impresses about the ID. Buzz is its suspension tuning. It feels remarkably refined and composed, absorbing road imperfections with a sophistication that belies its family-hauler mandate. Unlike the Kia, its suspension operates with less audible protest, contributing to a quieter and more ‘buttoned-up’ cabin. Steering is light yet precise, making urban maneuvering surprisingly easy. The ‘B’ mode on the gear selector provides near-one-pedal driving, effectively slowing the vehicle almost to a complete stop, requiring only a gentle brake application to finish. Despite sitting high, the ID. Buzz never feels top-heavy, responding eagerly to steering inputs. Outward visibility is generally good, aided by a short nose and expansive glass, although the unique windshield design requires some adjustment.
The 2024 Kia EV9, on the other hand, aims to replicate the familiar driving dynamics of a conventional three-row SUV, and largely succeeds. Its higher power output (379 hp) eventually allows it to outpace the ID. Buzz in spirited acceleration, offering a relatively sportier feel, particularly in its distinct “Sport” drive mode – a contrast to the less pronounced differences in the VW’s drive modes. The EV9 offers multiple regenerative braking levels, including a true one-pedal driving mode, which many EV enthusiasts prefer. However, its suspension, while firm, lacks the ID. Buzz’s refinement, generating more noise over rough pavement and feeling somewhat ‘rattly’ in comparison. Tire and wind noise are also more noticeable in the EV9’s cabin at higher speeds. Visibility is good forward, and excellent to the rear, further enhanced by a camera mirror option and Kia’s confident blind-spot camera views, which mitigate the minor obstruction from the left-side B-pillar.
Ultimately, the ID. Buzz offers a more unique and surprisingly pleasant driving character, making it an excellent cruiser. Its only true limitation here is its lower overall range compared to the EV9, which becomes a more significant factor on extended road trips. For daily commutes and local family excursions, the ID. Buzz’s blend of agility and refinement is genuinely delightful.
Real-World Efficiency: Conquering the Cold
Verdict: The 2024 Kia EV9 demonstrates a slight edge in cold-weather efficiency, but its significantly greater EPA-estimated driving range is its most crucial asset when temperatures plummet.
For electric vehicles, cold weather presents a substantial challenge to efficiency, and this comparison put both contenders to the test on a frosty, 110-mile route consisting primarily of interstate highways and country roads. With external temperatures hovering between a frigid 17 and 21 degrees Fahrenheit, and climate systems set to a comfortable “Auto” mode, we simulated real-world winter driving conditions.
Before setting out, the 2024 Kia EV9 indicated 249 miles of range, while the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz showed 198 miles – both figures noticeably lower than their respective EPA estimates, a common phenomenon for EVs in cold conditions. Over the course of the drive, the combination of higher speeds and freezing temperatures rapidly depleted available range.
Upon completion of the route, the Kia EV9 had traveled 113 miles, consuming 135 miles of its estimated range, leaving 114 miles remaining. Its efficiency averaged 2.1 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The ID. Buzz, after covering 111 miles, had consumed a more substantial 150 miles of its estimated range, resulting in a mere 48 miles remaining. Its efficiency stood at 1.8 miles per kWh.
While neither vehicle would be my first recommendation for an arduous cold-weather road trip due to the increased frequency of charging stops required, the Kia EV9’s inherent range advantage of nearly 50 miles over the ID. Buzz becomes an even more critical differentiator in adverse conditions. This greater buffer provides a tangible sense of security and flexibility, reducing range anxiety and making the EV9 a slightly more tolerable choice for longer winter journeys. The ability to charge faster (210 kW vs. 200 kW) also contributes to the EV9’s cold-weather practicality. In 2025, with EV charging infrastructure still evolving, extended range, particularly in challenging climates, remains a premium feature.
The Verdict: Tailoring Your Electric Future
After extensive evaluation, it’s clear that labeling one vehicle definitively “better” for every family is an oversimplification. The choice between the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the 2024 Kia EV9 boils down to specific priorities and intended use cases for your primary electric vehicle.
If your family frequently hauls a full complement of passengers, including adults in the third row, or if you need unparalleled cargo versatility for moving substantial gear, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the clear winner. Its unique style, refined driving dynamics, and genuine third-row comfort make it a truly special people-mover. It’s an ideal choice for the buyer seeking a lifestyle vehicle that stands out, or someone who’s always dreamed of owning a modern, electric interpretation of the iconic VW Bus – and has the means to embrace a car that might serve as a secondary, specialized family vehicle given its range limitations.
However, if you require a well-rounded, primary family vehicle that balances passenger comfort with more traditional SUV practicality, superior range, and a more intuitive user interface for daily commuting and occasional longer trips, the 2024 Kia EV9 presents a more compelling package. Its greater range provides a crucial advantage, especially for overcoming cold-weather efficiency losses, and its robust storage solutions cater effectively to the day-to-day chaos of family life. The EV9 offers a more conventional yet boldly futuristic electric SUV experience, making it a highly capable and versatile choice for the discerning electric vehicle buyer in 2025.
Ultimately, both vehicles represent compelling advancements in the 3-row electric vehicle segment. While the ID. Buzz charms with its character and space, the EV9 counters with its range and pragmatic utility. Your perfect electric family hauler awaits, tailored to your unique rhythm of life.
Ready to electrify your family’s journeys? Explore these groundbreaking models firsthand and experience the future of family transportation. Visit your local dealership today or connect with our EV experts for a personalized consultation to determine which innovative electric vehicle aligns perfectly with your lifestyle.
