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The Kia PV5 is the primary of a far-reaching vary of electric-only business and passenger automobiles that the Korean model hopes will give it a stable foothold in a complete new space for it. The PV5 will initially roll out as a individuals mover referred to as the Passenger and as a panel van referred to as the Cargo – the one spinoff confirmed for Australian launch to this point, in mid-2026.
Kia’s designers hung out taking a look at what different van makers have carried out in recent times and listened to buyer suggestions, calls for and desires 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 business 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 quite than transport vans to third-party suppliers for extra work.
To see how the Kia PV5 stacks up, we bought behind the wheel of the PV5 Passenger and PV5 Cargo at their European launch in Spain.
How a lot does the Kia PV5 value?
As but, there aren’t any pricing particulars for the PV5 in Australia, but when European costs are something to go by, it may very well be priced from round $55,000 for the Cargo model and $75,000 for the PV5 Passenger individuals mover (of it’s offered right here). Pricing won’t solely differ by physique type 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 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
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What’s the Kia PV5 like on the within?
Very like the futuristic exterior, the PV5’s cabin is a hanging assortment of flat surfaces and practical 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 aspect home windows and a low-set armrest create an enhanced sense of spaciousness within the cabin and assist enhance sight strains for the motive force. A break up A-pillar design features a seize deal with on the interior 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 automobiles and it’s an excellent 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 automobiles is the three-stalk setup on the steering column, with begin and drive selector situated on the decrease proper aspect.
The PV5’s inside isn’t fully 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 useful storage compartment alongside the highest and respectable bottle holders decrease down.
Straight behind the steering wheel is a 7.5-inch ‘Supervision’ digital instrument cluster that units out all the primary 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. Based mostly on an Android Automotive OS (AAOS), it’s outfitted with a cloud- primarily based Open API (Utility Programming Interface) that allows it to be arrange and designed for particular person wants, resembling fleet telematics software program, supply methods and even digital metering features for taxis.
Initially, the PV5 Passenger can 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 top.
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 unit with a operated by hand ramp that extends kerbside from the aspect door, quite than from the rear, which is extra frequent. 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 differ primarily based on the opposite van choices that come down the road.
Not like 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 top is among 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 simply accept two Euro-size pallets in a ’T’ configuration, however Kia can be creating a taller ground insert that may sit in step with 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) |
| Top | 1899mm |
| Wheelbase | 2995mm |
| Cargo capability | 1320L |
To see how the Kia PV5 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Consumers will get a alternative of motors and battery sizes primarily based 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 sort | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2140kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 10.7s |
| Power consumption (claimed) | 19.1kWh/100km |
| Power 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 referred to as the E-GMPS. It’s a variant of the platform structure that underpins its passenger automobiles however adopts some progressive options to enhance its packaging. These embrace 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 out there 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 the next energy output with the smallest battery, however this feature could be ideally suited to postal providers and different short-haul supply firms that need the added energy however have routes that don’t require a protracted vary.
Efficiency is modest, as these automobiles are extra about performing roles and doing so effectively, quite than offering outright driving experiences. Nevertheless, it does come prepared for charging at depots and industrial models due to the choice of 22kW AC cost charges, by way of which the most important battery will be totally 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 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
How does the Kia PV5 drive?
The 120kW energy output signifies 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 sufficient, even on the freeway.
There’s little drivetrain noise from the electrical motor on the entrance axle, and each wind and street noise at larger speeds appear to be handled fairly properly.
But it surely’s the smoothness of the entire driving expertise that makes it an interesting prospect, particularly for drivers who should spend all day in stop-start site visitors. Not having a loud turbo-diesel engine idling away beneath makes for a much less taxing work shift.
The suspension setup feels extra refined than most combustion-engined vans of an identical 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 means that’s extra car-like than van-like.
There are the standard driver help options you’d need, resembling adaptive cruise management, and drivers can alter the energy of the power recuperation by way of paddles on the again of the steering wheel. When this operate is dialled as much as the utmost you’ve an efficient one-pedal driving expertise that’s a boon in site visitors and round cities and cities.
One of many extra helpful driver help options is the blind-spot monitor, which prompts a reside 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 support to help the aspect mirrors, additionally working properly at night time.
Except for some chunky A-pillars, we like how a lot you may see from the motive force’s seat. The tall aspect home windows specifically are helpful, and the tight turning circle can be a plus in an city atmosphere.
To see how the Kia PV5 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
What do you get?
There can be totally different tools grades introduced in time, however Kia isn’t shying away from providing a number of expertise within the PV5 fashions. Basically, all the options yow will discover in Kia’s passenger automobiles are in these automobiles.
2026 Kia PV5 tools highlights:
- LED headlights
- Warmth pump
- Sensible cruise management
- Reversing digicam
- Rear cross-traffic avoidance
- Clever velocity restrict warning
- Lane retaining help
- Blind-spot view monitor
- 12.9-inch touchscreen
To see how the Kia PV5 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
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.
Customary security tools contains:
- Ahead collision avoidance
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Secure exit warning
- Driver consideration warning
- Blind-spot collision avoidance
- Excessive beam help
- Lane retaining help
To see how the Kia PV5 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
How a lot does the Kia PV5 value to run?
When the Kia PV5 arrives in Australia, it must be a low-cost van to function, particularly when you have a beneficial electrical energy fee.
Even on home tariffs, the most important battery will doubtless value round $14 to recharge. Extra necessary to some enterprise customers, the entire PBV automobile vary that the PV5 is the primary of is designed round a low complete value of possession (TCO), that means gadgets such because the bumpers are produced in a means that makes them less complicated, simpler and cheaper to interchange if wanted.
As with different Kia Australia fashions, the PV5 will doubtless be lined by a seven-year, unlimited-km guarantee.
To see how the Kia PV5 strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia PV5
There can be some patrons who will understandably be cautious of a model, even of Kia’s stature, getting into the business van marketplace for the primary time. Nevertheless, Kia seems to have taken a logical method with its PBV vary of automobiles that ought to enchantment to each personal and enterprise clients.
Past the concept-like design are stable underpinnings and a number of other powertrain choices.
The PV5 is each respectable to drive and practical inside. It maximises inside house and has plenty of sensible components within the cabin, however it’s electric-only method could properly restrict gross sales initially.
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MORE: Discover the Kia PV5 showroom
