Compare the2025 BMW iXVS 2025 Volkswagen ID.BUZZ

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The iX has a standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The ID.BUZZ doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The iX offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The ID.BUZZ doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the iX and the ID.BUZZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 iX’s corrosion warranty is 5 years and unlimited miles longer than the ID.BUZZ’s (12/unlimited vs. 7/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the iX for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volkswagen pays for maintenance for the ID.BUZZ (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. With 35 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Volkswagen.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen With 77 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Volkswagen.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 18 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The iX xDrive50’s standard electric motors produces 234 more horsepower (516 vs. 282) and 151 lbs.-ft. more torque (564 vs. 413) than the ID.BUZZ’s standard electric motor. The iX xDrive50’s electric motors produces 181 more horsepower (516 vs. 335) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (564 vs. 512) than the ID.BUZZ’s optional electric motors. The iX M60’s standard electric motors produces 275 more horsepower (610 vs. 335) and 299 lbs.-ft. more torque (811 vs. 512) than the ID.BUZZ’s optional electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the iX gets better mileage than the ID.BUZZ:

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

The BMW iX has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the ID.BUZZ. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

For better traction, the iX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ID.BUZZ (275/40R22 vs. 235/50R20).

The iX’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ID.BUZZ’s 50 series front and 45 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the iX offers optional 22-inch wheels. The ID.BUZZ’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The iX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The ID.BUZZ’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The iX has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The iX’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The ID.BUZZ doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the iX is 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the ID.BUZZ.

The BMW iX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Volkswagen ID.BUZZ.

The iX is 9.4 inches shorter in height than the ID.BUZZ, making the iX much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The front grille of the iX uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The ID.BUZZ doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The iX has .9 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front legroom and 2.4 inches more front shoulder room than the ID.BUZZ.

The iX has a much larger cargo volume than the ID.BUZZ with its rear seat up (35.5 vs. 18.6 cubic feet).

The iX has a higher standard payload capacity than the ID.BUZZ (1003 vs. 948 lbs.).

The iX has a higher maximum payload capacity than the ID.BUZZ (1054 vs. 981 lbs.).

Laser headlights, optional on the iX, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the ID.BUZZ’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

The BMW iX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are not standard on all versions of the ID.BUZZ.

Both the iX and the ID.BUZZ have standard heated front seats. The iX also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the ID.BUZZ.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW iX, based on reliability, safety and performance.