► Kia PV5 gets technical at last
► First in a range of electric Kia vans
► On sale before the end of 2025
A Kia van? Yep, the manufacturer that has been turning out some class-leading electric cars is now going to take on the commercial vehicle industry and start making electric vans. This is the first of them, the Kia PV5, and following on from the initial flurry of exterior pictures we now have some technical details and some images of the interior.
Based on a new E-GMP.S skateboard platform, this dedicated EV uses cell-to-pack battery tech for improved efficiency and allows a modular approach to the upper body. The S stands for Service, incidentally, as this evolution of Hyundai-Kia’s E-GMP underpinnings is exclusively for use by commercial vehicles.
The first concept Kia PBVs appeared at CES in 2024, but it’s clear that the models heading out to customers will share a lot with those initial versions, with the fundamental design very much the same. This means the funky S-shaped thin headlights that link up with the thin A-pillars, and sleek styling on the upper half of the body. It’s intriguing to see the new entrant’s designs shaking up a traditionally very conservative sector.
Van owners will be reassured by the core principles of the PV5, though, with the bottom half described as being a ‘robust, technical lower section.’ This is the area that will take the brunt of the hard life vans are subjected to.
This includes a chunky set of black plastic wheelarches and bumpers with corner sections that can be independently replaced. Good news for those who suffer a bump on a building site, say.
Kia PV5: passengers as well as parcels
The Cargo version won’t be the only PV5. Kia is also building a PV5 Passenger version (below). This model features the same fundamental design as the van, but the latter has a more boxy profile, befitting its greater internal space.
However, the passenger model shares the chunky protective elements on the lower half of the body while adding a huge amount of glassware on the sides of the vehicle, suggesting a light interior. Both have the same side sliding doors, but the rear doors are different. The passenger model gets a top-hinged opening that is handy for sheltering from the elements, while the van gets twin side-hinged back doors.
The PV5 Passenger is fundamentally targeted at ride-sharing businesses, and apparently the design has had some input from Uber. Kia is now talking about a Prime variant aimed at private buyers, though, alongside a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) and even a Light Camper. Up to three rows of seats will be available.
Meanwhile, the Cargo model will spawn a PV5 Chassis Cab (which we’ve recently caught testing). This will form the basis of a number of conversions including box vans and mobile fridges.
First technical details
The latest round of info includes confirmation of the power output and the predicted maximum WLTP driving range – as well as some info about the size of the PV5.
This is a front-wheel drive van, with a front-mounted electric motor producing 120kW – that’s about 161bhp – and 184lb ft. Three battery sizes will be offered, though only the van gets the smallest 43.3kWh pack and that probably won’t make it to the UK. Key for us will be the 51.5kWh and 71.2kWh variants, with some debate remaining about the latter as it might have too much impact on the amount of payload this little van can carry.
The pictures are slightly deceptive, we think, as in real life even the Long version of the PV5 is under 5m in length – and there’s a smaller Standard model coming as well. However, Kia will offer an unusually generous amount of loadspace within the Long’s compact footprint thanks to the option of a High Roof derivative. The resulting 5.1 cubic metres of volume is greater than any mainstream rival small van.
We only have the driving range for the 71.2kWh battery at this stage, which is quoted as 400km / 248 miles WLTP. DC fast charging at 150kW means 10-80 per cent in 30 minutes, with 22kW AC charging also offered.
What’s it like inside?
Kia’s gone for a modern modular interior concept that it refers to as ‘geometric’ in design. There’s a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster plus a 12.9-inch central touchscreen, the latter running ‘Android Automotive’ for app integration, and plenty of storage.
More unusually, there are at least five interior colours – including Navy Blue, two shades of brown and Iceberg Green – though we doubt all of them will make it to the UK options list. You will also be able to get ‘Kia AddGear’ accessories that will allow you to customise the interior even after the van has been purchased.
Other neat features include an optional ‘L-track’ load restraint system, a walk-through bulkhead for two-seater Cargo models, and V2L power take-off that means you can use the drive batteries to power your tools.
The Kia PV5 will make its UK debut at the 2025 CV Show at the NEC in April – at which point Kia will start taking orders if you are interested. Korean and European deliveries are set to start in the second half of 2025.