The Kia PV5 is the primary of a far-reaching vary of electric-only industrial and passenger automobiles that the Korean model hopes will give it a strong foothold in an entire new space for it. The PV5 will initially roll out as a individuals mover known as the Passenger and as a panel van known as the Cargo – the one spinoff confirmed for Australian launch to date, in mid-2026.
Kia’s designers frolicked what different van makers have performed in recent times and listened to buyer suggestions, calls for and needs earlier than setting out the plan for the PV5. It’s a part of a broader ‘PBV’ (Platform Past Automobile) technique that it hopes will future-proof its fashions and streamline manufacturing at a devoted new industrial automobile plant in South Korea.
The idea is to have the ability to spin a number of physique types off one core design, and to take a lot of the inside customisation in-house slightly than transport vans to third-party suppliers for added work.
To see how the Kia PV5 stacks up, we acquired behind the wheel of the PV5 Passenger and PV5 Cargo at their European launch in Spain.
How a lot does the Kia PV5 price?
As but, there are not any pricing particulars for the PV5 in Australia, but when European costs are something to go by, it might be priced from round $55,000 for the Cargo model and $75,000 for the PV5 Passenger individuals mover (of it’s bought right here). Pricing is not going to solely range by physique fashion but additionally by the battery capability, with two pack sizes for the Passenger and three for the PV5 Cargo.
To see how the Kia PV5 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
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What’s the Kia PV5 like on the within?
Very like the futuristic exterior, the PV5’s cabin is a placing assortment of flat surfaces and useful design.
The cabin structure stays the identical throughout Cargo and Passenger variants, with just some upholstery and supplies differing between them.
The seating place is raised, although the PV5’s floor clearance isn’t that beneficiant at 143mm. Tall facet home windows and a low-set armrest create an enhanced sense of spaciousness within the cabin and assist enhance sight traces for the driving force. A break up A-pillar design features a seize deal with on the inside part to help ingress and egress. The ahead part remains to be chunky and even with the presence of a entrance quarterlight window, it’s straightforward to lose a pedestrian or bike owner within the blind spot.
A two-spoke steering wheel has a squarish design much like that present in Kia’s present passenger vehicles and it’s a very good measurement. The buttons and toggles on it aren’t too small, and there aren’t that many crammed onto it, both. Additionally much like Kia’s passenger vehicles is the three-stalk setup on the steering column, with begin and drive selector situated on the decrease proper facet.
The PV5’s inside isn’t utterly devoid of correct buttons, and issues such because the mirror adjustment and window controls are on the highest of what’s a thick door panel. That additionally features a helpful storage compartment alongside the highest and first rate bottle holders decrease down.
Immediately behind the steering wheel is a 7.5-inch ‘Supervision’ digital instrument cluster that units out all the principle driving info one would possibly want. Behind this show is a 3.25-litre storage compartment that’s helpful for paperwork and smaller oddments.
Additional storage will be discovered between the entrance seats and beneath the seats, with bins massive sufficient to carry charging cables, for instance.
A 12.9-inch touchscreen is mounted inside straightforward attain and accommodates local weather controls throughout the bottom of the show. It runs a bespoke infotainment system that differs from the one present in Kia’s passenger fashions. Primarily based on an Android Automotive OS (AAOS), it’s geared up with a cloud- based mostly Open API (Utility Programming Interface) that allows it to be arrange and designed for particular person wants, comparable to fleet telematics software program, supply methods and even digital metering capabilities for taxis.
Initially, the PV5 Passenger will likely be provided as a five-seater in Europe with a big storage space behind the second row. Entry to the rear seats is kind of straightforward and is helped by a low step peak.
In time, Kia plans to roll out six- and seven-seat variants and a PV5 WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Automobile) that may come from the manufacturing facility with a operated by hand ramp that extends kerbside from the facet door, slightly than from the rear, which is extra widespread. This model can have a three-seat bench throughout the again with an open house the place the second row would usually be.
The PV5 Cargo load capability is 4420 litres within the L2H1 configuration, although that determine will range based mostly on the opposite van choices that come down the road.
In contrast to the PV5 Passenger that will get a lift-up tailgate, the PV5 Cargo utilises twin side-hinged ‘barn’ doorways for forklift-friendly entry, and the low 419mm rear step peak is without doubt one of the advantages that Kia is highlighting, particularly for supply drivers who often get out and in of the rear.
The load space is designed to just accept two Euro-size pallets in a ’T’ configuration, however Kia can be creating a taller flooring insert that may sit according to the rear wheel-arches and permit for pallets to be loaded in widthways from the rear.
| Dimensions | Kia PV5 Passenger |
|---|---|
| Size | 4695mm |
| Width | 2255mm (together with mirrors) |
| Peak | 1899mm |
| Wheelbase | 2995mm |
| Cargo capability | 1320L |
To see how the Kia PV5 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s below the bonnet?
Patrons will get a alternative of motors and battery sizes based mostly on whether or not it’s a PV5 Passenger or a PV5 Cargo. With the people-moving Kia, there are two battery capacities, beginning with a 51.5kWh unit that’s matched up with an 89kW motor, whereas a 71.2kWh battery is paired with a 120kW motor, which is what we’re driving right here.
| Specs | Kia PV5 Passenger |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electrical |
| Battery | 71.2kWh NCM lithium-ion |
| Energy | 120kW |
| Torque | 250Nm |
| Drive kind | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2140kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 10.7s |
| Vitality consumption (claimed) | 19.1kWh/100km |
| Vitality consumption (as examined) | 20.4kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary | 412km |
| Max AC cost fee | 22kW |
| Max DC cost fee | 150kW |
Kia has created a devoted platform for all PBV fashions known as the E-GMPS. It’s a variant of the platform structure that underpins its passenger vehicles however adopts some revolutionary options to enhance its packaging. These embody a twin bumper stopper system on the rear suspension and double wishbone entrance suspension that includes a solid aluminium decrease arm, plus optimised steering ratios to supply what Kia claims is a best-in-class 5.5-metre turning circle.
To facilitate broader fleet necessities, the PV5 Cargo is accessible with three battery sizes: 43.3kWh, 51.5kWh and 72.1kWh, matched with 110kW, 89.4kW and 120kW motors, respectively. It might appear unusual to supply a better energy output with the smallest battery, however this selection can be ideally suited to postal companies and different short-haul supply corporations that need the added energy however have routes that don’t require an extended vary.
Efficiency is modest, as these automobiles are extra about performing roles and doing so effectively, slightly than offering outright driving experiences. Nonetheless, it does come prepared for charging at depots and industrial items due to the choice of 22kW AC cost charges, by way of which the most important battery will be absolutely charged in three to 4 hours. On DC energy, the height fee is 150kW, leading to round a 30-minute 10-80 per cent recharge.
To see how the Kia PV5 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How does the Kia PV5 drive?
The 120kW energy output implies that it will get away from a set of lights briskly however easily. With a 400kg simulated load behind the PV5 Cargo, efficiency was greater than satisfactory, even on the freeway.
There’s little drivetrain noise from the electrical motor on the entrance axle, and each wind and highway noise at increased speeds appear to be handled fairly effectively.
However it’s the smoothness of the entire driving expertise that makes it an interesting prospect, particularly for drivers who must spend all day in stop-start visitors. Not having a loud turbo-diesel engine idling away beneath makes for a much less taxing work shift.
The suspension setup feels extra subtle than most combustion-engined vans of an analogous measurement. Having a lot of the burden set decrease within the automobile’s mass, even when there’s little to no load (or passengers) onboard, it drives and handles in a method that’s extra car-like than van-like.
There are the standard driver help options you’d need, comparable to adaptive cruise management, and drivers can alter the power of the vitality recuperation by way of paddles on the again of the steering wheel. When this operate is dialled as much as the utmost you might have an efficient one-pedal driving expertise that’s a boon in visitors and round cities and cities.
One of many extra helpful driver help options is the blind-spot monitor, which prompts a dwell digicam feed of the blind spot when the indicator is turned on. The view is proven within the digital dashboard, and it’s a very helpful help to help the facet mirrors, additionally working effectively at night time.
Except for some chunky A-pillars, we like how a lot you may see from the driving force’s seat. The tall facet home windows particularly are helpful, and the tight turning circle will likely be a plus in an city setting.
To see how the Kia PV5 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What do you get?
There will likely be totally different gear grades introduced in time, however Kia isn’t shying away from providing plenty of expertise within the PV5 fashions. Primarily, the entire options you’ll find in Kia’s passenger vehicles are in these automobiles.
2026 Kia PV5 gear highlights:
- LED headlights
- Warmth pump
- Good cruise management
- Reversing digicam
- Rear cross-traffic avoidance
- Clever pace restrict warning
- Lane maintaining help
- Blind-spot view monitor
- 12.9-inch touchscreen
To see how the Kia PV5 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
Is the Kia PV5 protected?
Though the Kia PV5 has not but been assessed by ANCAP, it has been assessed by Euro NCAP, which awarded it a four-star security ranking.
Normal security gear consists of:
- Ahead collision avoidance
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Secure exit warning
- Driver consideration warning
- Blind-spot collision avoidance
- Excessive beam help
- Lane maintaining help
To see how the Kia PV5 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Kia PV5 price to run?
When the Kia PV5 arrives in Australia, it must be a low-cost van to function, particularly if in case you have a beneficial electrical energy fee.
Even on home tariffs, the most important battery will probably price round $14 to recharge. Extra essential to some enterprise customers, the entire PBV automobile vary that the PV5 is the primary of is designed round a low complete price of possession (TCO), that means objects such because the bumpers are produced in a method that makes them easier, simpler and cheaper to interchange if wanted.
As with different Kia Australia fashions, the PV5 will probably be coated by a seven-year, unlimited-km guarantee.
To see how the Kia PV5 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia PV5
There will likely be some consumers who will understandably be cautious of a model, even of Kia’s stature, coming into the industrial van marketplace for the primary time. Nonetheless, Kia seems to have taken a logical strategy with its PBV vary of automobiles that ought to enchantment to each non-public and enterprise prospects.
Past the concept-like design are strong underpinnings and a number of other powertrain choices.
The PV5 is each first rate to drive and useful inside. It maximises inside house and has a number of sensible parts within the cabin, but it surely’s electric-only strategy might effectively restrict gross sales initially.
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