Compare the2025 Volkswagen ID.BUZZVS 2026 Kia EV9

The ID.BUZZ’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The EV9 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The ID.BUZZ has Car2X, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The EV9 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems

Both the ID.BUZZ and the EV9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The ID.BUZZ’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the EV9’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the ID.BUZZ for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EV9.

The ID.BUZZ has more powerful engines than the EV9:

The ID.BUZZ can travel longer on a full charge than the EV9 on a full charge:

For better stopping power the ID.BUZZ’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the EV9:

The ID.BUZZ stops much shorter than the EV9:

For better traction and acceleration, the ID.BUZZ has larger rear tires than the EV9 (265/45R20 vs. 255/60R19).

The ID.BUZZ’s 235/50R20 front and 265/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the EV9’s standard 60 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the ID.BUZZ has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the EV9.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ID.BUZZ’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the EV9 (127.5 inches vs. 122 inches).

For better maneuverability, the ID.BUZZ’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the EV9’s (37.4 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

The ID.BUZZ has 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 6.9 inches more rear hip room, 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 11.6 inches more third row legroom and 6.3 inches more third row hip room than the EV9.

The ID.BUZZ’s cargo area provides more volume than the EV9.

The ID.BUZZ’s cargo area is larger than the EV9’s in every dimension:

The ID.BUZZ’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the EV9’s (2600 vs. 2000 pounds).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the EV9 Wind/Land/GT-Line, the ID.BUZZ has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The ID.BUZZ’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the van, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the EV9 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The ID.BUZZ’s standard sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The EV9’s standard rear swing-out doors are bulky and make loading in tight spots difficult.

The ID.BUZZ’s power side sliding doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The EV9 doesn’t offer a power rear door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the ID.BUZZ to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The EV9 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the ID.BUZZ has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The EV9 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The ID.BUZZ also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The ID.BUZZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the EV9 Wind/Land/GT-Line.

The ID.BUZZ was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025. The EV9 hasn’t been picked since 2024.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the ID.BUZZ as the 2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The EV9 was last chosen in 2024.