Kia - once known for its white-wall tyres on the tiny Pride over thirty years ago, is now up there with the best when it comes to cars - especially the EV best. Now it's cracked that challenge; Kia’s moving into electric vans, writes Tim Barnes-Clay.
After all, the UK is awash with white vans - and 'White Van Man' might as well have another treat in the sweet shop of vans to choose from - or, more likely, what his company fleet manager decides to give him.
Anyway, Kia has seen an opportunity - and the South Korean automaker has gone for it. The firm has an enviable reputation for reliability, and that's what any van driver wants - a vehicle that's nothing more than a tool for them and never a hassle to use.
Kia UK thinks it has the answer in the form of the rather dull-sounding PV5 Cargo van. But then again, many van names don't exactly excite me. As I've more than alluded to, it marks Kia's entry into the fully electric commercial vehicle market and offers a variety of customisable options to suit diverse business needs.
The PV5 is launching here in Britain with two lengths (L1 and L2) and a couple of height configurations (H1 and H2) across its commercial offerings: Cargo, Crew, and Chassis Cab.
Additionally, the lineup encompasses a Passenger variant and a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV). That makes sense. On inspecting a pre-production version of the van in leafy Surrey, you could squint and see how the likes of Motability would snap it up. The fact a colleague of mine from Professional Driver Magazine - a publication aimed at taxi drivers and the private hire industry - was also at the van's preview demonstrated that the vehicle could eventually be seen on airport taxi duty runs, too.
According to Kia, it aims to simplify the purchasing experience with two streamlined trim levels: 'Essential' and 'Plus'. Both come with two battery capacities, so users can choose to prioritise range or payload. Sensible, right?
The 51.5kWh standard battery allows for reduced weight for optimum payload, while the long-range 71.2kWh battery offers improved range at the cost of slightly less cargo room.
The base battery's range is fixed at 181 miles versus a more user-friendly 247 miles for the long-range setup.
Both forms boast state-of-the-art front-wheel-drive setups, propelled by electric motors that produce outputs of 89.4kW and 120kW, respectively.
What's more, the PV5 supports 400V fast charging capabilities, charging the battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in less than half an hour when connected to a 150kW charging station.
So, just to be clear, Kia has (as you would hope when creating a van) designed the PV5 with versatility in mind. The body types - Cargo, Crew, and Chassis Cab - are ideal for various industries and applications. The Cargo and Chassis Cab models are optimised for maximum load capacity, while the Crew variant is tailored for transporting passengers and their belongings comfortably.
Inside, all configurations feature two cloth seats adorned in a stylish dark blue trim. A centrally mounted 12.9-inch touchscreen, powered by Android Automotive OS, provides connectivity with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, complemented by a 7.5-inch digital instrument display for the driver.
Practical design elements include a low cargo load height of 419mm, compact dimensions, and a turning radius of just 10.8 metres, which will undoubtedly make the PV5 exceptionally manoeuvrable in tight spaces.
With an impressive cargo volume of 4.4m³ in the L2/H1 configuration, the PV5 Cargo can comfortably accommodate two standard euro pallets. The standard-range version offers a maximum payload of 790kg, whereas the long-range model supports 690kg. Cargo space expands to 5.1m³ for the L2/H2 version or diminishes to 4.0m³ for the L1/H1 variant.
The PV5 Cargo is designed with convenience in mind. It features a three-door layout with two cab doors and a single nearside sliding door to access the cargo area. An optional offside sliding door can be added for greater flexibility, converting the PV5 Cargo into a four-door model. Additionally, all variants have a split rear door design featuring detachable hinges.
Kia backs the PV5 with an industry-leading seven-year/100,000-mile van warranty and an eight-year high-voltage battery warranty. I told you the automaker has a top reputation for dependability. No company that doesn't believe in itself is going to offer that length of warranty.
Pricing for the PV5 Cargo starts at £27,645 for the 'Essential' model equipped with the standard-range battery and increases to £30,145 for the long-range variant. Furthermore, the PV5 Cargo is eligible for the current Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) Plug-in Van Grant (PIVG), which slashes the asking price by up to £5,000.
Customer deliveries are anticipated to commence in late 2025, and additional pricing details for other variants - including the PV5 Crew and Chassis Cab - will be announced later this year.
As Kia's first fully electric commercial offering, the PV5 is manufactured in a purpose-built factory in South Korea and benefits from an innovative design strategy. Looking ahead, Kia plans to introduce the larger PV7 in 2027 and the PV9 by 2029, furthering its commitment to electric vehicles in the commercial sector.
