Kia Niro vs Volkswagen ID. Buzz
What's the difference?

Kia Niro

$28,990 - $54,990

2023 price

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Volkswagen ID. Buzz

$56,880 - $128,880

2025 price

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Polestar 2 Long Range

Polestar 2 Standard Range

Summary

2023 Kia Niro

2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz

By Emily Agar

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L

Fuel Type

Electric

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Decent driving range
Pleasant interior design
Easy-to-use tech

Uber-cool design
Practicality
Value

Dislikes

Rougher ride
Doughy acceleration from a full stop
Expensive compared to rivals

Some wind noise
No spare wheel
So-so steering feel

2023 Kia Niro Summary

Kia has released the newly updated Niro, which is the smaller and less sporty sibling to Kia’s popular, EV6. As far as EVs go, it has a decent driving range and specs that should entice first-time electric vehicle owners to dip their toes into the EV pool.

However, the updated model does come with a price hike… which might not excite a budget-conscious buyer, especially with such affordable competitors like the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona Electric also available.

I’ve been hanging in it for a week with my family of three to see how it handles!

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2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Summary

You might call it six degrees of Kombi separation. Somewhere, somehow just about all of us have a VW bus lurking in our family and friends' back story. And this is the latest version of that familiar box on wheels to hit the Aussie market.

It’s the premium, sportier, AWD GTX version of the pure-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz.

This one-box wonder hits the retro-futurist ball out of the park and we attended its local launch to explore whether what’s under the skin supports the promise of its stunning exterior.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Kia Niro 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Verdict

The Kia Niro S Electric is a solid little SUV that has decent space inside and some nice specs, but it's more expensive than its nearest rivals. The EV powertrain can take a little getting used to and I would have liked a smoother ride, but the 460km driving range is good.

For first-time EV owners, this wouldn’t be a bad option if you wanted to dip your toes in the water but it will suit urban dwellers and smaller families, like mine, best. This gets a 7.5/10 from me.

My son wasn’t in love with this one. Not enough buttons for him to press and he did comment on how bumpy the ride was in the back. He gives it a 6.0/10.

Verdict

The only way to make this car cooler would be to add a split fold-out windscreen and a tube steel luggage rack on the roof.

It’s fast, super practical, comfortable and guaranteed to put a smile on the face of premium family buyers ready to go for something different. And that smile will extend to just about everyone who lays eyes on it. I love it.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Kia Niro vs Volkswagen ID. Buzz What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Kia Niro vs Volkswagen ID. Buzz
What's the difference?