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Kia EV9 vs VW ID.Buzz
Selected trimAirChange trim349 mi · 99.8 kWh · £66,645
At a glance
In this comparison, Kia EV9 stays competitive across the board, while the VW ID.Buzz leads on value for money and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the VW ID.Buzz if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW ID.Buzz leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueVW
Kia
4.6
VW
6.1
Motorway Range
Kia
6.2
VW
5.9
Too close to call
FamilyVW
Kia
6.1
VW
9.1
Charging
Kia
7.6
VW
7.9
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Kia EV9
Air
- 67 miles more WLTP range
- 25 kW faster rapid charging
- 2 more seats
- 900 kg more towing capacity
VW ID.Buzz
Life 5-seat SWB
- £6,640 cheaper
- 60 kW more power
- 1.8s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1.2 m tighter turning circle
- 1 more year of battery warranty
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Kia EV9Air | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £66,645 | £60,005 (better) |
| Official range | 349 miles (better) | 282 miles |
| Boot space | 333 L | Not available |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 24 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 9.4 sec | 7.6 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Kia EV9
VW ID.Buzz
Length
Kia EV95,015mm
VW ID.Buzz4,712mm-303mm
Width
Kia EV91,980mm-5mm
VW ID.Buzz1,985mm
Height
Kia EV91,780mm-145mm
VW ID.Buzz1,925mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia EV9Air | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,015 mm | 4,712 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,980 mm (better) | 1,985 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,925 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.3 m | 11.1 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 420 mm spare (better) | 415 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Kia EV9Air | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 (better) | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 333 L | Not available |
| Boot space (seats down) | 828 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 90 L (better) | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 900 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Kia EV9
- A 90 L frunk, one of 11 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 90 L or more.
- At 5,015 mm, longer than 90% of SUVs we track.
- 3,100 mm wheelbase, longer than 95% of SUVs we track.
VW ID.Buzz
- 282 mile WLTP range, longer than 85% of MPVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 185 kW, faster than 80% of MPVs in our catalogue.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Kia EV9 Air |  VW ID.Buzz Life 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5.01m | 4.71m-303mm |
| Width | 1.98m | 1.99m+5mm |
| Height | 1.78m | 1.93m+145mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.10m | 2.99m-111mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 333L | Not available |
| Boot (seats down) | 828L | Not available |
| Frunk | 90L (better) | Not available |
| Seats | 7 (better) | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.3m | 11.1m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,492kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 900kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 99.8kWh (better) | 79kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 349 mi (better) | 282 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 210kW (better) | 185kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £66,645 | £60,005 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | MPV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia EV9Air | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 349 miles (better) | 282 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 291 miles (better) | 235 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 24 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 210 kW (better) | 185 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 99.8 kWh (better) | 79 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NCMA | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Kia EV9Air | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9.4 sec | 7.6 sec (better) |
| Power | 150 kW | 210 kW (better) |
| Torque | 350 Nm | 560 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Kia EV9
Air
VW ID.Buzz
Life 5-seat SWB
8.5/10
average across 4 reviews
- Autocar4.5/5
- Auto Express4.5/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Kia EV9
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Kia EV9 Air
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant84%
Child Occupant88%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist83%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - VW ID.Buzz Life 5-seat SWB
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant84%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist73%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Kia EV9Air | VW ID.BuzzLife 5-seat SWB |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 7 years | 8 years (better) |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Kia EV9
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.Buzz
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Kia EV9
No active listings.
VW ID.Buzz
- £50,4992025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia EV9 worth the extra £6,640 over the VW ID.Buzz?
The Kia EV9 costs £6,640 more than the VW ID.Buzz. For that premium it adds 67 miles more WLTP range, 25 kW faster peak rapid charging and 2 more seats (7 versus 5). The VW ID.Buzz is not just cheaper - it also offers 60 kW more power and a 1.8s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.Buzz comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Kia EV9 or the VW ID.Buzz?
The VW ID.Buzz is £6,640 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £192 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the VW ID.Buzz comes out roughly £6,640 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Kia EV9 and VW ID.Buzz like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 291 miles for the Kia EV9 and 235 miles for the VW ID.Buzz - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Kia EV9 goes roughly 56 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia EV9 or the VW ID.Buzz?
The two are within 5 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 420 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV9 and about 415 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.Buzz. The VW ID.Buzz also turns in a 1.2 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Kia EV9 or the VW ID.Buzz?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 89% battery health for the Kia EV9 and 84% for the VW ID.Buzz. That gives the Kia EV9 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. The VW ID.Buzz has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia EV9.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Kia EV9 comparisons
More VW ID.Buzz comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Kia EV9 and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best family EVsWhere the Kia EV9 and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia EV9 and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia EV9 and VW ID.Buzz rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Kia EV9 and VW ID.Buzz rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Kia EV9 and VW ID.Buzz rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
More affordable
Fiat Grande Panda
Pop
£39,010 less to buy
Costs noticeably less if both of these stretch your budget.
More boot spaceVW ID.Buzz LWB
Life 7-seat
+2,163 L of boot space
Carries more if you need extra luggage room.
Easier to parkHyundai INSTER
Cross
87 cm shorter
Shorter and easier to park on tight city streets.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Kia EV9 (2023 on): Which Version, Early Faults, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Kia EV9 buyer’s guide: Air, GT-Line or GT-Line S, six or seven seats, the seat-bolt and brake recalls, early electrical faults, the 7-year warranty, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used VW ID. Buzz (2022 on): 77 vs 79 vs 86 kWh, the Battery Recall & What to Pay
A used Volkswagen ID. Buzz buyer’s guide: the 2022-2024 77 kWh car vs the 2025-on short and long wheelbase, the battery-check recall, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .