If you’re hunting for a three-row electric family vehicle, the used Kia EV9 vs VW ID. Buzz matchup is probably on your mind. One is a sharp-edged SUV that thinks it’s a luxury truck; the other is a retro-flavored electric bus that wants to be your family’s rolling living room. Both promise room for the kids, gear, and road trips, without gasoline.
Two Very Different Takes on the Same Idea
Overview: Used Kia EV9 vs VW ID. Buzz
Let’s set the stage. The Kia EV9 hit the U.S. market for the 2024 model year as a three-row, all‑electric SUV with up to about 304 miles of EPA‑rated range in some trims, 800‑volt fast‑charging, and available all‑wheel drive with up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity. It’s already filtering into the used market thanks to early adopters trading out of leases or chasing the next new thing.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz finally reached American buyers for the 2025 model year as a three‑row electric van with about 234 miles of estimated EPA range in rear‑drive form and an available all‑wheel drive version expected around the low‑250‑mile mark. It rides on VW’s MEB platform with a roughly 91‑kWh battery and DC fast‑charging that can take you from 10–80% in about 25 minutes when conditions cooperate.
Availability Note
If you’re shopping used, you’re not just comparing spec sheets. You’re evaluating real‑world range after some miles, charging habits of the prior owner, cabin wear, and battery health. That’s where tools like the Recharged Score, our battery and vehicle health report included with every vehicle, matter a lot more than a brochure number.
Specs at a Glance: EV9 vs ID. Buzz
Core Specs: Used Kia EV9 vs VW ID. Buzz (U.S. Models)
High‑level comparison of key specs shoppers care about when cross‑shopping a used Kia EV9 and VW ID. Buzz.
| Spec | Used Kia EV9* | Used VW ID. Buzz* |
|---|---|---|
| Model years (U.S.) | 2024+ | 2025 (pause announced for 2026, return expected 2027) |
| Seating | 6 or 7 | 6 or 7 (depending on second‑row seating) |
| Battery (approx. gross) | Up to ~99.8 kWh | ~91 kWh |
| EPA range (best‑case trims) | Up to ~304 mi | Up to ~234 mi RWD (early estimates) |
| Drivetrain | RWD or AWD | RWD or AWD (4MOTION) |
| Max DC fast‑charge rate | Up to ~236 kW, 10–80% in < 25 minutes | Up to ~170 kW, 10–80% in ~25 minutes |
| Towing capacity | Up to 5,000 lbs (AWD) | Not designed as a heavy tow vehicle |
| Starting MSRP when new (approx.) | High $50Ks–$70Ks depending on trim | Around $60K+ depending on trim |
| Body style | Three‑row SUV | Three‑row electric van / people‑mover |
Exact figures vary by trim and model year; always confirm against the specific vehicle you’re considering.
About Those Asterisks
Space and Practicality: SUV vs Electric Van
If you’ve ever loaded three kids, two dogs, and a Costco run into a vehicle, you know paper specs don’t tell the whole story. This is where the VW ID. Buzz’s shape pays dividends, and where the Kia EV9’s more conventional SUV format fights back with real‑world versatility.
Kia EV9: SUV Practicality
- Third row: Adult‑friendly for short stints, kid‑friendly all day. Access is easier with captain’s chairs in 6‑seat configurations.
- Cargo: With all rows up, you’ve still got meaningful space for groceries or a couple of carry‑ons. Fold the third row and it turns into a solid road‑trip rig.
- Roof & towing: Roof rails and up to 5,000 lbs of towing on AWD trims make the EV9 friendlier if you haul bikes, kayaks, or a small camper.
VW ID. Buzz: Van Versatility
- Cabin feel: Huge glass area, a flat floor, and upright seating create a bright, lounge‑like space that feels bigger than most SUVs.
- Seat flexibility: The third row can be removed entirely, and the second row slides fore/aft to trade legroom for cargo space.
- Cargo room: With the third row removed and second row folded, you’re looking at serious cargo volume, think home‑improvement weekends or camping gear for the whole crew.
Try the Third Row Yourself
If you want a rig that looks at home next to the neighbors’ SUVs and can still tow a pop‑up, the EV9 has the edge. If your life looks more like kids, dogs, Ikea runs, and weekend festivals, the ID. Buzz’s boxy, van‑like packaging is genuinely useful.
Range, Charging, and Road-Trip Readiness
Range and charging are where a used EV can either make your life blissfully simple or annoy you every single day. The headline is that the EV9 generally offers more range and faster peak charging than the ID. Buzz, but the Buzz isn’t stranded at the curb.
Range & Charging Snapshot
On paper, both can fast‑charge from low to 80% charge in roughly the same time window, but the EV9’s higher‑voltage architecture usually makes it more comfortable for long‑distance driving, especially if you’re driving in cold weather, climbing grades, or carrying a full load. That extra 40–60 miles of real‑world range can be the difference between one stop and two.
Cold Weather Reality Check
- If you regularly drive 200+ miles in a day, the EV9’s stronger range story is a safer bet.
- If your life is mostly school runs, commuting, and weekend errands under 80 miles round‑trip, the ID. Buzz’s range is workable, especially if you can charge at home.
- Both vehicles support Level 2 home charging at around 11 kW, which means an overnight fill‑up from low state of charge is realistic with a properly sized 240‑volt charger.
Pair Your Used EV with the Right Home Charger
Performance, Comfort, and Driving Feel
You don’t buy a three‑row family hauler to win autocross, but you will notice how it feels on a cloverleaf ramp with the whole family on board. Here, the Kia’s SUV stance and powertrain options work in its favor, while the ID. Buzz counters with charm and visibility.
How They Feel from Behind the Wheel
Both are easy to live with, but with different personalities.
Kia EV9 Driving Character
- Power: Dual‑motor AWD trims feel properly quick for a family SUV, with instant torque and confident passing power.
- Ride & handling: Stable and composed, especially on the highway; some trims can feel a bit firm on broken pavement.
- Noise: Quiet cabin, especially at suburban speeds; at highway speeds you’ll hear tire noise before you hear wind noise.
VW ID. Buzz Driving Character
- Power: Plenty of torque for city duty; rear‑drive version is more about smoothness than speed.
- Ride & handling: Softer, more van‑like; tall body means more lean in corners but gives great outward visibility.
- Vibe: The ID. Buzz is about personality. Big windows, fun colors, and a laid‑back driving posture make it feel special even in traffic.
Test Drive Tip
Ownership Costs, Incentives, and Reliability
On the used market, the sticker on the window is only part of the story. You’re balancing used prices, potential tax incentives, warranty coverage, and how each brand has fared in early reliability and recall news.
- Purchase price: Because there are more EV9s on the road and Kia dealers have pushed volume, you’re likely to see a wider spread of trims and prices on the used market. The ID. Buzz, by contrast, is new, niche, and expensive when new, so used examples may still command a premium at first.
- Tax credits & incentives: A used EV may qualify for a federal used EV tax credit or state/local incentives depending on price, income, and vehicle eligibility. It’s worth running your specific situation through the latest IRS guidance or a qualified tax professional.
- Warranty: Both Kia and VW offer eight‑year/100,000‑mile (or similar) battery warranties from new, so most used examples will still be under battery coverage for years. Bumper‑to‑bumper coverage will depend heavily on mileage and in‑service date.
- Reliability & recalls: Both models are relatively new. The ID. Buzz has already seen U.S. recalls related to seat and indicator‑light compliance; that doesn’t make it a bad vehicle, but it’s a reminder to check recall status on any used EV you’re considering.
Don’t Skip Battery Health
How to Shop a Used EV9 vs ID. Buzz
Shopping a used electric three‑row is more like buying a lightly‑used airplane than a used minivan. Mileage matters, but so does how the vehicle was charged, where it lived, and how it was driven. Here’s a structured way to approach your search.
Used EV9 vs ID. Buzz: Essential Shopping Checklist
1. Start with Your Daily Range Needs
Write down your typical weekday mileage and your longest regular trips. If you’re often over 150–180 miles in a day, the EV9’s stronger range profile will feel more comfortable. If you’re mostly under 80–100 miles, the ID. Buzz becomes a real contender.
2. Look at Battery Health, Not Just Odometer
Ask for a recent battery health report. At Recharged, every vehicle comes with a <strong>Recharged Score</strong> that measures battery state of health, charging history patterns, and overall condition so you can see past the odometer.
3. Inspect Charging Hardware & History
Confirm the vehicle comes with its original mobile charge cable and check the charge port for signs of damage or corrosion. Ask how often the prior owner DC fast‑charged versus Level 2 at home; heavy fast‑charging over time can increase degradation.
4. Test All Three Rows Thoroughly
Fold, slide, and recline every seat. Check latch anchors, seatbelts, and how easily kids can get to the third row. In the ID. Buzz, try removing the third row to see if you’re comfortable with the process.
5. Evaluate Software and Driver‑Assist Features
Check for over‑the‑air update history and make sure core driver‑assist systems (adaptive cruise, lane‑keeping, parking aids) work as advertised. These features are central to the ownership experience in both vehicles.
6. Consider Where You’ll Service the Vehicle
Look up nearby dealers or EV‑savvy independent shops for Kia and VW before you buy. In some areas, Kia’s dealer footprint may make EV9 ownership easier; elsewhere, a strong VW dealer could tip the scales.
7. Run the Numbers on Total Cost
Factor in home charging installation, expected electricity costs, insurance, and any available incentives. A slightly more expensive EV9 with better range might actually cost less to live with if it avoids extra public‑charging stops or a second vehicle.
How Recharged Helps
Who Should Choose Which? Quick Recommendations
You’ll Likely Prefer a Used Kia EV9 If…
- You drive long distances regularly and want the extra cushion of higher range.
- You tow a small trailer, camper, or boat and need up to 5,000 lbs of capacity.
- You like the look and feel of a modern SUV and plan to keep roof racks in regular rotation.
- You live in an area with harsh winters or mountain passes where AWD traction and range margin matter.
You’ll Likely Prefer a Used VW ID. Buzz If…
- You’re drawn to the character and packaging of a van more than SUV style points.
- Your daily driving is mostly local, with reliable home charging and relatively rare 200‑mile days.
- You want a bright, airy cabin with big windows, sliding doors, and easy access for kids or mobility‑limited passengers.
- You value the "rolling living room" feel more than towing or maximum range.
The best family vehicle isn’t the one with the longest spec sheet, it’s the one that makes your everyday chaos feel the least chaotic.
At the end of the day, the used Kia EV9 vs VW ID. Buzz decision comes down to how you really live. If your life is long highway days, towing, and winter road trips, the EV9 is the safer, more capable all‑rounder. If your world is carpools, concerts in the park, and creative family adventures, the ID. Buzz’s space and personality are hard to beat, as long as its shorter range fits your routine. Either way, buying used with a clear view of battery health and real‑world range makes all the difference, and that’s exactly where Recharged is built to help.
