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Kia PV5 Passenger vs VW ID.Buzz (2022-2024)
Selected trimLife 77kWh · 2022-24Change trim258 mi · 77 kWh · £57,115
At a glance
In this comparison, Kia PV5 Passenger leads on value for money, running costs and city driving, while the VW ID.Buzz leads on motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Kia PV5 Passenger if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the VW ID.Buzz (2022-2024) if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Kia PV5 Passenger leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueKia
Kia
6.6
VW
5.9
Motorway RangeVW
Kia
3.6
VW
4.9
FamilyVW
Kia
7.2
VW
9.1
Charging
Kia
7
VW
7.4
Too close to call
Cost Per MileKia
Kia
3.6
VW
1.6
City DrivingKia
Kia
5.2
VW
2.8
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Kia PV5 PassengerEssential 51.5kWh 5-Seat | VW ID.BuzzLife 77kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,195 (better) | £57,115 |
| Official range | 196 miles | 258 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 1300 L | Not available |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 25 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 7.6 sec |
Size Comparison
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Kia PV5 Passenger
VW ID.Buzz
Length
Kia PV5 Passenger4,520mm-192mm
VW ID.Buzz4,712mm
Width
Kia PV5 Passenger1,912mm-73mm
VW ID.Buzz1,985mm
Height
Kia PV5 Passenger1,920mm-5mm
VW ID.Buzz1,925mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia PV5 PassengerEssential 51.5kWh 5-Seat | VW ID.BuzzLife 77kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,520 mm | 4,712 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,912 mm (better) | 1,985 mm |
| Height | 1,920 mm | 1,925 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.8 m (better) | 11.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 488 mm spare (better) | 415 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Kia PV5 PassengerEssential 51.5kWh 5-Seat | VW ID.BuzzLife 77kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 1300 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Kia PV5 Passenger Essential 51.5kWh 5-Seat |  VW ID.Buzz Life 77kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.52m | 4.71m+192mm |
| Width | 1.91m | 1.99m+73mm |
| Height | 1.92m | 1.93m+5mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.06m | 2.99m-71mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 1300L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.8m (better) | 11.1m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,060kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 51.5kWh | 77kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 196 mi | 258 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 170kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,195 (better) | £57,115 |
| Price after EV grant | £31,695 (-£1,500) | £57,115 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | MPV | MPV |
| Available | 2026+ | 2022–2024 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia PV5 PassengerEssential 51.5kWh 5-Seat | VW ID.BuzzLife 77kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 196 miles | 258 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 163 miles | 215 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 25 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 170 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 51.5 kWh | 77 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Kia PV5 PassengerEssential 51.5kWh 5-Seat | VW ID.BuzzLife 77kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 7.6 sec |
| Power | 120 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Torque | 255 Nm | 560 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Kia PV5 Passenger
Essential 51.5kWh 5-Seat
VW ID.Buzz
Life 77kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 PV5 Passenger Essential 51.5kWh 5-Seat
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users64%
Safety Assist65%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - VW ID.Buzz Life 77kWh
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 PV5 PassengerEssential 51.5kWh 5-Seat | VW ID.BuzzLife 77kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Kia PV5 Passenger
Essential 51.5kWh 5-Seat
Owners love
- Attractive, distinctive design that looks better in person and stands out from competitors like the VW Buzz
- Excellent value for money with competitive pricing and well-specced base models starting around £33k
- Spacious interior suitable for camping conversions, day van use, and cargo transport
Watch out for
- Range limitations inadequate for long-distance trips without frequent stops or full-load business use
- Passenger version significantly delayed until mid-2026 or later with unclear UK pricing and availability
- Power output under 150kW considered insufficient compared to similar vehicles
Owner tips
- Test drive in person before purchasing, as the vehicle appears significantly better than marketing materials
- Order popular colors (dark green, silver) to avoid extended wait times for uncommon shades
VW ID.Buzz
Life 77kWh
Owners love
- Owners describe it as comfortable and refined, with a better ride than many electric SUVs.
- It is a relaxed motorway cruiser, and rapid-charging stops of 15 to 25 minutes make long trips practical.
- The cabin is roomy and airy, and the heat pump keeps the range cost of heating modest.
Watch out for
- Range is modest for the price, and falls noticeably in cold weather and at motorway speeds.
- Software bugs are the most common complaint: settings that reset, lost app connections and infotainment glitches.
- The touch-sensitive steering-wheel controls and lane-assist hands-on warnings annoy several owners.
Owner tips
- Keep to about 70 mph on the motorway for the best range and charging stops.
- Ask a VW dealer for the software fix if drive settings keep resetting.
Buying options
Get a quote
Kia PV5 Passenger
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.Buzz
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Kia PV5 Passenger
No active listings.
VW ID.Buzz
- £34,3992024Car360View
- £35,4322023Car360View
- £36,2992023Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW ID.Buzz worth the extra £23,920 over the Kia PV5 Passenger?
The VW ID.Buzz costs £23,920 more than the Kia PV5 Passenger. For that premium it adds 62 miles more WLTP range and 30 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Kia PV5 Passenger comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Kia PV5 Passenger or the VW ID.Buzz?
The Kia PV5 Passenger is £23,920 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £176 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Kia PV5 Passenger comes out roughly £24,040 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 PV5 Passenger and VW ID.Buzz like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 163 miles for the Kia PV5 Passenger and 215 miles for the VW ID.Buzz - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The VW ID.Buzz goes roughly 52 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia PV5 Passenger or the VW ID.Buzz?
The Kia PV5 Passenger is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 73 mm narrower than the VW ID.Buzz. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 488 mm of total clearance for the Kia PV5 Passenger and about 415 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.Buzz.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Kia PV5 Passenger or the VW ID.Buzz?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Kia PV5 Passenger and 84% for the VW ID.Buzz. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation.
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 PV5 Passenger 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 PV5 Passenger and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best family EVsWhere the Kia PV5 Passenger and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia PV5 Passenger and VW ID.Buzz rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia PV5 Passenger and VW ID.Buzz rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Kia PV5 Passenger and VW ID.Buzz rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Kia PV5 Passenger and VW ID.Buzz rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .