Vehicle comparison
Kia Carnival vs Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas and electricity prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- EV rates vary by state
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Volkswagen ID. Buzz wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz costs about $800 per year, roughly $1082 less than the Kia Carnival. Over 5 years, that's about $5409 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Kia Carnival | Volkswagen ID. Buzz |
|---|---|---|
| Type | MINIVAN | MINIVAN |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Electric |
| City MPG/MPGe | 19 | 87 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 26 | 72 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 22 | 80 |
| Tank / Battery | 19 gal | 91 kWh |
| Energy cost | $3.45/gal | $0.16/kWh |
| Cost per mile | $0.157 | $0.067 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Kia Carnival | Volkswagen ID. Buzz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $1255/yr · $105/mo | $533/yr · $44/mo | $721 (Volkswagen ID. Buzz) |
| 12,000 | $1882/yr · $157/mo | $800/yr · $67/mo | $1082 (Volkswagen ID. Buzz) |
| 15,000 | $2352/yr · $196/mo | $1000/yr · $83/mo | $1352 (Volkswagen ID. Buzz) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Volkswagen ID. BuzzBest for road trips
Kia Carnival
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Kia CarnivalBest for families
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Volkswagen ID. BuzzBest for lowest running cost
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Volkswagen ID. BuzzHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Kia Carnival or Volkswagen ID. Buzz?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz costs about $800 per year vs $1882 for the Kia Carnival — roughly $1082 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Kia Carnival and Volkswagen ID. Buzz?
The Kia Carnival is rated around 22 combined MPG versus 80 MPGe for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Highway figures are 26 vs 72.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $9409 for the Kia Carnival and $4000 for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, a difference of roughly $5409.
Is the Kia Carnival or Volkswagen ID. Buzz better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Kia Carnival is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas and electricity prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.