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Identifying the First-Gen Ford Mustang2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz vs 2025 Kia EV9
The ID.Buzz and EV9 bring EV tech to family vehicles. We look at legroom, interior options, and technology to see which is right for you.
Introduction
For those in need of a three-row electric vehicle (EV), choices are on the thin side and dominated by expensive models like the Tesla Model X and Mercedes-Benz EQS SV. Which is where this 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz vs. 2025 Kia EV9 comparison comes in. One is a minivan and one is a crossover, but both offer seating for up to 7, run on batteries, and start under $60,000.
This is the first year for the VW ID.Buzz, which pulls hard on the classic Microbus of yore from a styling perspective and has quite a bit more personality that Volkswagen’s other EV, the ID.4. Though clearly in the minivan arena, the ID.Buzz would seem to have enough pizazz to avoid the long-running American stereotype of this segment as being reserved for dorks.
Kia’s EV9 arrived just last year with looks that lean on its popular Telluride gas-powered stablemate. Offering the Korean automaker’s trademark combination of value with a healthy dose of futuristic styling, the EV9 ushers in the electric-powered era of the ever-popular mainstream three-row crossover. Let’s take a look at which one of these pioneers does the EV thing best.
Specs
The 2025 VW ID.Buzz and Kia EV9 both come standard with a single electric motor powering the rear wheels (RWD) and the option for dual motors and all-wheel drive (AWD). Volkswagen keeps the distinction simple with RWD models delivering 282 horsepower, 83 MPGe combined, and a 234-mile driving range. Step up to an AWD ID.Buzz for 335 hp, 80 MPGe combined, and a 231-mile range. In either case, a 91-kWh battery pack capable of charging from 10 to 80% in 24 minutes with DC fast charging, provides the juice.
Over at Kia, standard RWD EV9s deliver 201 hp, 88 MPGe combined, and 230 miles of range. The Long Range variant moves the range figure up to 304 miles. In AWD guise, the 2025 EV9 offers 379 hp, up to 280 miles of range, and a combined efficiency rating of 83 MPGe. Depending on configuration, the EV9 comes with a 76- or 100-kWh battery pack capable of similar charging times to the Volkswagen on Level 3 power.
Driving and Performance
Both of these three-row EVs will no doubt offer comfortable rides thanks to independent suspension and the inherently planted ride quality that comes with an enormous battery a few inches off the ground. However, on the performance front, it’s the Kia EV9 all the way. With Boost mode engaged on top-spec models, torque spikes to over 500 lb-ft and the nearly 3-ton sled can sling to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds.
The most powerful ID.Buzz needs 6 seconds to complete the deed, which is plenty fast, but owners won’t be able to enjoy as much boasting. It’s the same story with towing as the 2025 Kia EV9 can pull up to 5,000 pounds versus the 3,500-pound max for the VW. One interesting, and unusual, aspect of the ID.Buzz is its use of rear drum brakes. The EV9, and most modern vehicles, feature disc brakes all around. It would be tough to notice the difference from the driver’s seat, but replacement costs are in favor of the VW here.
Comfort and Interior
Cabin commonalities in this 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz vs. 2025 Kia EV9 include seating for 6 or 7 depending on the second-row configuration, leatherette upholstery of various styles, and standard climatized front seats. However, the VW also includes front seat massagers on every ID.Buzz and positively smokes the EV9 when it comes to interior space.
The ID.Buzz boasts 145 cubic feet of cargo space with the second- and third-row folded down (on par with a Chevy Suburban), 40” of second-row legroom, and a pretty huge 42” of third-row legroom. The EV9 bests the ID.Buzz in the second-row legroom metric with 43”, but the 32” in the wayback, and 82 cubes of maximum cargo space are well off the pace.
Trims and Features
The 2025 VW ID.Buzz ranges in price from a base Pro S for $59,995 to the loaded 1st Edition for $65,495. All models come with a digital gauge cluster, 12.9” central touchscreen, and wireless smartphone integration. Also standard are 20” wheels, adaptive LED headlights, power-sliding side doors, triple-zone automatic climate control, and wireless phone charging. The main upgrades on higher-spec ID.Buzzes are the head-up display (HUD), 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and electrochromic fixed glass roof.
At $54,900, the 2025 Kia EV9 has a lower entry point with the Light trim line that features 19” wheels, a power-operated liftgate, a 12.3” infotainment interface with a same-sized digital instrument panel, and wireless smartphone integration. The $69,900 EV9 Land features climatized second-row seats and a Meridian 14-speaker audio system, while the range-topping GT-Line model, at $73,900, comes with 21” wheels, massaging front seats, and a HUD.
As for advanced driver assistance systems, both of these EVs come with forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, a lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a hands-on-the-wheel driving automation system. The ID.Buzz also includes a self-parking system, while Kia offers a blind-spot view monitor and a fob-operated parking system that can pull the EV9 out of a tight space for you.
The Verdict
Given the target demographic of families for both the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz and 2025 Kia EV9, it’s worth noting that the Kia has earned top marks in crash testing from both the NHTSA and the IIHS. It remains to be seen how the VW performs as neither agency has tested it thus far. The EV9 also has the upper hand on straight-line speed and maximum driving range with up to 304 miles for the latter versus 234 for the ID.Buzz. Sidebar: If EV range anxiety leaves you nervous, check out these excellent new hybrids to ease those nerves.
However, the ID.Buzz has pulled off the rare feat of packing more value into a base model than Kia. Standard massaging front seats? Pretty nice. For $63,495, the ID.Buzz in Pro S Plus guise has most of the best optional extras that the EV9 doesn’t offer until you approach $70,000. And Kia’s 10-year powertrain warranty is less of an advantage on vehicles with such relatively simple designs relative to internal combustion. Lastly, the VW is considerably larger inside and about as cool as they come from a style perspective, making the ID.Buzz the clear winner here.
