The world of electric vehicles with 3-row seating is expanding every year. However, there are still only a few options on the market that don’t come from luxury brands. Two such examples are the stylish Volkswagen ID. Buzz, America’s only electric minivan, and the high-tech Kia EV9, the biggest electric Kia.
Let’s compare this electric minivan and electric SUV and see which is a better family vehicle for you.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz
The long-anticipated electric VW bus has finally arrived on the market as the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Its unignorable styling is satisfyingly close to the concepts VW has shown in the past, and it’s almost hard to believe it’s a real production car. Combining retro styling with modern electric engineering and a practical 3-row interior makes it a unique offering in 3-row EVs.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Highlights
Head-turning style: The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is simply one of the most stylish new cars on the market today. Inside and out, its design is a perfect marriage of retro and modern, and it’s guaranteed to turn heads. Several two-tone paint options are available so you can make it your own.
Bigger interior: The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a proper minivan, and the Kia EV9 is a midsize SUV, which means the VW is the winner when it comes to interior space. More third-row legroom and more maximum cargo space make the Buzz more versatile and family-friendly than the EV9.
Electrochromic glass roof: One cool option for the VW that you can’t get in the Kia is an electrochromic glass roof. The natural light it lets in creates an open and airy feel in the expansive interior, but you can use your voice or controls on the screen to dim the roof and even turn it opaque to keep the sun out.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the ID. Buzz models for sale near you.
2025 Kia EV9
The Kia EV9 is one of the few midsize 3-row electric SUVs available from a mainstream brand in the U.S. It takes much of what we love about the gas-powered Kia Telluride, adds an electric powertrain and a unique look inside and out, and the result is both an excellent EV and an excellent family SUV.
Kia EV9 Highlights
Longer range: For many EV shoppers, the max range rating is the most important number. The Kia wins in that category, it gets a max range of up to 304 miles on a full charge, beating out the Volkswagen’s max range of 234 miles.
Faster charging: The Kia EV9 has a maximum DC fast charging rate of 350 kW, beating the VW’s 200-kW max charging speed. The result is a charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 24 minutes. It also charges faster than the ID. Buzz with a Level 2 charger at home, reliably getting a full charge overnight.
Better performance: The dual-motor version of the Kia EV9 can produce up to 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. That’s quite a bit more than the sportiest ID. Buzz, making the EV9 the choice for enthusiasts who want some excitement in a practical electric family vehicle.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the EV9 models for sale near you.
Similarities
These are both electric vehicles with three rows of seats. They have similar mechanical configuration options: single-motor with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or dual-motor with all-wheel drive (AWD).
Pricing
New 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pro S
|
$61,545
|
$58,818
|
||
|
Pro S Plus
|
$65,045
|
$62,670
|
||
|
1st Edition
|
$67,045
|
$64,074
|
||
|
Pro S Plus 4MOTION
|
$69,545
|
$67,006
|
||
|
1st Edition 4MOTION
|
$71,545
|
$68,933
|
New 2025 Kia EV9 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Light
|
$56,395
|
$54,477
|
||
|
Light Long Range
|
$61,395
|
$59,356
|
||
|
Wind
|
$65,395
|
$63,315
|
||
|
Land
|
$71,395
|
$68,917
|
||
|
GT-Line
|
$75,395
|
$72,409
|
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz vehicles and New 2025 Kia EV9 vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz | 2025 Kia EV9 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Drive Wheels | RWD | RWD |
| Range | 234 miles | 230 miles |
| Charging Time | 9 hours | 6.75 hours |
| Towing Capacity | 1,650 pounds | 2,000 pounds |
| Payload Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Ground Clearance | 6.3 inches | 7.0 inches |
| Horsepower | 282 hp | 215 hp |
| Torque | 413 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 0 years/0 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | N/A | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Battery Warranty | N/A | N/A |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | N/A | 7 |
| Wheelbase | N/A | 122 inches |
| Overall Length | 195.4 inches | 197.2 inches |
| Width With Mirrors | 87.0 inches | 74.0 inches |
| Width Without Mirrors | 78.1 inches | N/A |
| Height | 76.2 inches | 77.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | N/A | 20.3 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.6 inches | 41.2 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 41.0 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | N/A | 39.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 37.5 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.9 inches | 42.8 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 42.4 inches | 30.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 59.1 inches | 61.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.7 inches | 60.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 52.2 inches | 55.0 inches |
| Cargo Behind Last Seat | 18.6 feet | 20.2 feet |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | 75.5 feet | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 145.5 feet | N/A |
| Bed Length | N/A | N/A |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
These two electric 3-row family haulers have some distinct advantages over each other. One could argue that the VW ID. Buzz is the better family vehicle because it has a roomier interior and sliding doors. However, the Kia EV9 has mechanical advantages like longer range and faster charging. If you use the third row daily, your passengers will appreciate the ID. Buzz. If you only occasionally need those extra seats, go with the EV9, our 2025 3-Row EV Best Buy.