If you’re torn between the **Kia EV9** and the **Volkswagen ID.Buzz**, you’re probably dreaming of an electric family hauler that can handle road trips, Costco runs, and everything in between. On paper they both seat a big crew and run on electrons, but out in the real world, they feel very different. This guide breaks down **Kia EV9 vs VW ID Buzz** in plain language so you can decide which one actually fits your life (and whether it makes sense to buy one used).
SUV vs electric bus: know the template
Kia EV9 vs VW ID.Buzz: what kind of EVs are these?
Kia EV9: electric Telluride energy
The EV9 is a boxy, upright, three-row SUV with serious specs: up to roughly 300 miles of EPA range on rear-wheel-drive long-range trims, an available dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup with around 379 hp, and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped. It rides on an 800‑volt architecture that can DC fast-charge from 10–80% in under about 25 minutes on a powerful charger. It’s built to do family duty first, with real third-row space and a more conventional SUV driving position.
VW ID.Buzz: electric Microbus reboot
The ID.Buzz is Volkswagen’s modern take on the classic Microbus. In the U.S. it launched as a three-row long-wheelbase van with sliding doors, a high roof, and a warm, lounge-like cabin. Power comes from an 82‑kWh battery with rear- or all-wheel drive, with EPA range in the low-230‑mile ballpark depending on trim. It’s less about outright towing or off-road cred and more about **style, easy access, and cabin vibe**, think camping, beach runs, and nostalgic road trips more than heavy trailers.
Fast facts: Kia EV9 vs VW ID.Buzz (U.S. models)
Pricing, incentives, and 2026 availability
Sticker prices move constantly, but it’s helpful to look at where each model generally sits and what’s happening in the 2026 model year.
Kia EV9 vs VW ID.Buzz: pricing snapshot (new)
Approximate U.S. starting prices before destination, taxes, and incentives as of the 2025–2026 model years.
| Model | Typical new starting MSRP | Tax credit eligibility | Model-year situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia EV9 | Mid-$50,000s | Often eligible depending on build and buyer | Multiple trims for 2024–2026; production ramping up |
| VW ID.Buzz | Low-$60,000s | Generally not eligible due to being imported | 2025 U.S. launch, skipping 2026 model year with a return planned for 2027 |
Use this as directional guidance; local dealer pricing and used-market values can look very different.
Don’t forget the used angle
On the Kia side, the EV9 benefits from North American assembly and wide dealer coverage, which has helped transaction prices slide under MSRP in many regions. On the VW side, ID.Buzz inventory has built up faster than expected, prompting Volkswagen to **skip the 2026 model year in the U.S.** and plan a refreshed return for 2027. That’s a huge tell that you, as a shopper, have leverage, especially if you’re considering a nearly new or lightly used ID.Buzz instead of buying at full sticker.
Space, seating, and everyday practicality
How they haul people and stuff
Three rows, two very different approaches to family life.
Kia EV9: spacious SUV packaging
- Seating: 6 or 7 passengers, depending on captain’s chairs vs bench.
- Access: Conventional rear doors; third row is adult-usable but still SUV‑tight.
- Cargo: Around 20 cu ft behind the third row and more than 80 cu ft with the rear rows down, right in line with midsize 3‑row SUVs.
- Everyday feel: Feels like a big crossover; easy transition if you’re coming from a gas SUV.
VW ID.Buzz: lounge-like van interior
- Seating: Three-row long-wheelbase layout with big windows and upright seating.
- Access: Sliding doors and low step‑in height, fantastic for kids, pets, and car seats.
- Cargo: Very generous behind the third row because of the square back and tall roof, especially with seats slid or removed.
- Everyday feel: Feels like a modern minivan mashed up with a boutique hotel lobby.
Car-seat and kid duty
In day-to-day use, the EV9 is the better choice if you want your EV to double as your everything car: school runs, snowy grocery trips, road trips, and towing. The ID.Buzz shines when you prioritize **easy cabin access and personality** over maximum spec-sheet numbers. Think of it as a lifestyle vehicle that just happens to haul a family, rather than a family crossover that happens to have personality.
Range, efficiency, and charging experience
Kia EV9 vs VW ID.Buzz: range & charging highlights
Approximate EPA ranges and headline charging capabilities for popular U.S. configurations.
| Model | Battery | Typical EPA range | DC fast‑charge peak | Architecture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia EV9 RWD Long Range | ~99.8 kWh | Around 300 miles | Up to ~230 kW | 800‑volt |
| Kia EV9 AWD | ~99.8 kWh | Around 270–280 miles | Similar peak to RWD | 800‑volt |
| VW ID.Buzz RWD | ~82 kWh | Low 230‑mile range | Lower peak than EV9 (varies by trim) | 400‑volt |
| VW ID.Buzz AWD | ~82 kWh | Slightly lower than RWD | Similar DC speeds, more real‑world draw | 400‑volt |
Exact numbers vary by trim, wheel size, and options. Always verify the specific vehicle you’re shopping.
Why 800‑volt matters
- **Daily commuting:** Both vehicles have plenty of range for school runs, errands, and typical commuting, even in cold weather.
- **Road trips:** The EV9’s extra range and faster charging make it a more stress-free choice if you regularly cover long highway stretches.
- **Charging at home:** Both support Level 2 AC charging around 10–11 kW, so an overnight charge on a 240‑volt home setup is straightforward for either one.
- **Public charging networks:** Neither is locked into a proprietary network in the way Teslas used to be; availability and pricing will come down to the networks where you live and travel.
Range reality check
Performance, driving feel, and towing
How they drive
- Kia EV9: Dual‑motor EV9s are legitimately quick for a 3‑row family hauler, with 0–60 mph times in the mid‑5‑second range on paper and even quicker in some independent testing. Despite its size and weight, it feels composed and confident, more like a big crossover than a traditional SUV.
- VW ID.Buzz: The Buzz is tuned for relaxed, easy driving. Rear‑drive versions feel smooth and unhurried; all‑wheel drive adds extra punch but it’s still more about comfort than speed. Think “Sunday drive to the beach” rather than “beat the on‑ramp.”
Towing and payload
- EV9: Properly equipped all‑wheel‑drive trims are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, with some lower trims at 2,000–3,500 pounds. That opens the door to small campers, utility trailers, or a pair of jet skis, just remember that towing can cut real‑world range roughly in half.
- ID.Buzz: U.S. versions are not aimed at serious towing; ratings are modest and focused more on bikes or a small lightweight trailer. If towing is central to your plans, the EV9 is the clear favorite.
Towing with an EV: plan like a pilot
In-cabin tech, safety, and comfort
Tech and comfort: where each one shines
Both are loaded with screens and driver assistance, but in different flavors.
Driving tech
EV9: Offers a wide suite of driver-assistance tech (lane centering, adaptive cruise, blind‑spot monitoring, etc.) and over‑the‑air updates. Higher trims add sophisticated highway driving aids and parking assistance.
ID.Buzz: Also brings modern driver aids and VW’s latest infotainment, though early owners have noted a learning curve with VW’s interface. The driving position is classic van: upright, tall, and confidence‑inspiring in traffic.
Infotainment & UX
EV9: A broad, dual‑screen setup that feels familiar if you’ve been in recent Kias. Physical controls are better than average for climate and key functions, and smartphone integration is straightforward.
ID.Buzz: Leans into a playful aesthetic, from color choices to trim details. The screen experience is sleek but can feel menu‑heavy. Great for design lovers; less great if you’re easily frustrated by touch‑only controls.
Comfort & noise
EV9: Quiet, refined, and surprisingly premium in higher trims, with available ventilated seats and even reclining second‑row lounge chairs on some configurations.
ID.Buzz: Big glass and tall seating give incredible visibility and a breezy feel, but you’ll hear more road and wind noise than in the Kia simply because you’re pushing a big, boxy van through the air.
Safety confidence in both
Ownership experience, reliability, and resale
Early in an EV’s life cycle, it’s hard to write definitive verdicts on long‑term reliability. What we can look at is how each brand’s recent EVs have behaved, how the first wave of owners is feeling, and how the market is reacting.
Ownership factors to think through
Brand EV track record
Kia built momentum with the EV6, and the EV9 shares much of that underlying tech. Volkswagen has steadily grown its ID‑family in Europe, but U.S. launches can be bumpy while software and support mature.
Dealer and service network
Kia has a deep dealer footprint in the U.S., including many stores that are now familiar with EV service. VW’s network is also broad, but some regions have fewer EV‑savvy techs, worth asking about if you live far from a major metro.
Resale and demand
Strong initial demand, 3‑row practicality, and the potential for tax credits have helped support EV9 values. The ID.Buzz’s softer sales and skipped 2026 model year may put downward pressure on prices, which is bad news for first owners, but potentially good news for you as a used buyer.
Software and updates
Both brands are leaning hard into over‑the‑air (OTA) updates for infotainment and driver aids. Before you buy, ask what’s been updated already, and whether the vehicle has any outstanding recalls or software campaigns.
Why a battery health report matters
Kia EV9 vs ID.Buzz: which one fits your life?
Choose your path: EV9 vs ID.Buzz by lifestyle
You’re a road-trip family with gear and maybe a trailer
You routinely drive a few hundred highway miles in a day.
You want the option to tow a small camper, boat, or utility trailer.
You’d rather stop once for a fast charge than twice for a slower one.
You’re coming from a three-row SUV and want something that feels familiar to drive.
You’re a city / suburb crew with lots of short trips
Most of your driving is under 50–70 miles a day.
Sliding doors and a flat floor make your life easier with kids, grandparents, or mobility challenges.
You love the idea of an EV that feels like a rolling living room more than a traditional SUV.
You’re okay trading range and towing for character and easy access.
You’re design‑driven and love to stand out
You value the ID.Buzz’s retro styling and huge windows more than spec-sheet bragging rights.
You like the idea of a van that will always start conversations at the charging station.
You’re open to shopping lightly used to soften the price and hedge against depreciation.
You’re value-focused and thinking long term
You want strong range, fast charging, and robust towing in one package.
You care about resale value and broad service support over the next 5–8 years.
You like the idea of buying a used EV9 once the first owner takes the biggest depreciation hit.
You’re more “tell me it works” than “make it quirky.”
Bottom line verdict
How a used EV9 or ID.Buzz fits into Recharged’s model
Both of these vehicles are new enough that used inventory is just beginning to show up in meaningful numbers, which is exactly when a careful buyer can do well. Early adopters often lease or trade out of their EVs within a few years, taking the brunt of the depreciation for you.
Why shop a used Kia EV9 or ID.Buzz at Recharged?
- Verified battery health: Every EV on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes battery diagnostics, so you’re not guessing about the most expensive component in the vehicle.
- Transparent pricing: Recharged benchmarks listings against fair-market data, so you can see whether that EV9 or ID.Buzz is actually priced sensibly.
- Expert EV guidance: EV‑specialist support can help you understand charging options, home setup, and whether an SUV or van fits your routine better.
Flexible ways to make the switch
- Financing built for EVs: Recharged offers financing and can walk you through total cost of ownership, not just the payment.
- Trade‑in or instant offer: You can trade your current vehicle, request an instant offer, or even explore consignment if you want to maximize value.
- Nationwide delivery: Found the right EV9 or ID.Buzz that isn’t in your zip code? Recharged can arrange delivery so you can shop the right car first, the closest car second.
