Kia PV5 (2025 - )

Kia is spreading its wings into the large people carrier and van market with the launch of two fully electrified vehicles called the PV5 Passenger, which we are concentrating on, and the PV5 Cargo.
The PV5 Passenger is one of the Korean manufacturer’s first Platform Beyond Vehicles (PBVs) and is a large scaled model with van-like proportions. The interior is based on a three-row configuration although, for now, there are just two rows of seating with room for five, along with a vast storage area. New seating configurations will be joining the line-up up later in 2026.
Customers are able to choose from two trims called Essential and Plus and there are two batteries to select from. The standard-range 51.5kWh can deliver up to 183 miles on a single charge, while the long-range 71.2kWh unit can achieve up to 256 miles. The Plus specification can only be paired with the larger battery.
We opted for the high-end PV5 Passenger Plus model with the 71.2kWh battery for our test drive and we have to say, this people mover certainly lived up to all the hype.
 

The front-wheel drive Kia PV5 Plus features the long-range 71.2kWh battery pack and boasts 160bhp and 250Nm of torque. With a kerb weight that just tips the scales at two tonnes, it can complete the 0-62mph dash in a respectable 10.6 seconds and tops out at 84mph. While these performance stats will hardly set the world alight with anticipation and excitement, it’s worth reminding ourselves this is a people mover with practicality outweighing pace in the list of customer priorities.
That said; the PV5 is no slouch and the acceleration via the single-speed automatic transmission is certainly responsive enough, with that instant torque helping make light work of joining fast-flowing motorway traffic from a slower-moving slip lane.
Possibly the most surprising and impressive factor though is just how agile and easy to manoeuvre the vehicle is. The light steering offers ample driver feedback and the suspension set-up is on the softer side which helps to smooth out uneven road surfaces with ease.
Drive modes called Eco, Normal and Snow alter the handling and, like all Kia EVs, the steering wheel-mounted paddles can be used to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking with an i-Pedal setting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop without touching the brakes. Making use of the regenerative braking is highly beneficial as the PV5’s combined range of 256 miles increases to 364 miles of city range with lots of stop-and-go driving.
Refinement levels within the cabin impress too with the wind and tyre noise barely noticeable – even at higher speeds.
If pushed too eagerly along twisting country lanes, there is a slight amount of body lean, but you do have to go searching for something to moan about when it comes to the performance.
 

It’s not easy making a car that’s based on a van look particularly easy on the eye, but Kia has achieved this with the PV5 Passenger model. It is designed on the company’s new scalable skateboard platform, called E-GMP.S to give it its official title, and has been tailored for flexibility meaning it can be used for smaller or larger vehicles moving forward.
When viewed from the front, the PV5 has a clean appearance with a smooth face featuring a centrally-located charging port. This means access in or out of the vehicle is not restricted whist it is being charged. 
The headlights are positioned low down to avoid dazzling other driver with vertical daytime running lights adding to the models futuristic, yet simplistic styling.
The side profile, similarly to rivals such as the VW ID Buzz, is box-like for practicality reasons with black wheel arches and window surrounds. At the rear is a huge tailgate, a high-mounted brake light and a unique rear LED lighting signature. 
Moving inside, with the aid of grab handles and a step if required, the interior is clutter-free and practically designed. There is a 12.9-inch central navigation touchscreen that offers access to the likes of the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, along with a six-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, reversing camera and much more besides.
Behind the wheel, a seven-inch digital cluster offers the vital readouts, such as speed, existing driving range and battery charge levels. Physical controls are few and far between meaning you have to use the touchscreen to reach climate control settings, but it’s all simple enough to operate on the fly.
With practicality in mind, the cabin features a number of durable, wipe-clean surfaces built to withstand years of use, messy handprints and accidental spills.
 

One glance in the direction of the Kia PV5 and any concerns about space and practicality will be dismissed. It is simply huge both on the inside and out. The vehicle stretches 4,695mm in length, 2,255mm across (including mirrors) and 1,923mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,995mm. Those figures translate into an exceptionally large cabin with bundles of room for five adults to sit comfortably along with space for all their luggage too.
The rear seats are accessed via two sliding doors and there are grab handles to aid with entering or exiting the vehicle. The width of the PV5 and the completely flat floor means there’s plenty of space for three grown-ups to sit side-by-side.
The boot features a large powered tailgate which needs plenty of clearance behind it in order to open fully. And, with all five seats upright, it can accommodate 1,330 litres of cargo, increasing to a whopping 2,300 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat.
The powered front seats make it simple to find a comfy driving position with a fold-down armrest for the driver too. And for added comfort, these seats, along with the outer rear seats and steering wheel, are heated. The elevated driving position generally results in great all-round visibility, although the chunky front pillars block the view slightly when turning out at angled junctions. 
Throughout the car, there are numerous practical storage compartments, including a glovebox, wide door bins with additional trays in the door panels, a wireless charging pad, a deep centre console box with access from the rear seats, seat back pockets, front cup holders, a covered tray in the top of the dashboard and USB-C charging ports.
With a maximum charging rate of 150kW, the PV5’s 71.2kWh battery can be boosted from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes, or from 10 to 100 per cent in 6 hours, 30 mins if using an 11kW port, increasing to 10 hours for a 7kW home or work-based wallbox.
The PV5 Plus model also gains Vehicle-to-Load capability meaning it can be used to power up external electronic appliances such as camping lights, laptops and air pumps or even used to boost important household items in the event of a power cut.
 

The Kia PV5 Passenger is very competitively priced and there are few rivals out there at the moment. The entry-grade Essential version with the 51.5kWh battery costs £32,995, increasing to £35,930 for the 71.2kWh unit. The Plus model, as tested, which is only sold with the larger capacity battery, was priced at £38,295, while a heat pump can be added for an extra £780. These prices have just been reduced by a further £1,500 as the PV5 Passenger qualifies for the government’s Electric Car Grant. That means the entry-price drops to just £31,495 (OTR).
As the PV5 Passenger is fully electrified, it emits zero carbon emissions and that is very good news for owners when it comes to the day-to-day running costs. The first-year road tax is a minimal fee of just £10, and this increases to the standard £195 charge after 12 months. Additionally, for business owners, the Benefit in Kind tax rating is set at a rewarding three per cent.
With all versions costing less than £40,000 there will be no Expensive Car Tax to worry about and, like all Kia vehicles, the PV5 carries an extensive seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, increasing to eight years for the battery. This cover is also fully transferable if the vehicle is sold on.
The model, as tested, sits in insurance group 30.
 

Shakespeare claimed that all that glisters is not gold. And while that may be true for you and I, it’s certainly not the case for Kia right now as they seem to be constantly riding high on the crest of a wave. Every new model the Korean carmaker introduces is met with highly acclaimed praise within the industry and now they have branched out into light commercial vehicles and people movers.
The all-new PV5 is offered in Cargo specification with just front seats and a massive load area, while the PV5 Passenger is a people carrier offering room for five, with a seven-seater model arriving very soon.
The high-end Plus version with the larger battery that we drove certainly covered any practicality requirements and still delivered on the comfort and handling front. The range is decent enough and the pricing exceptionally tempting, especially with the Electric Car Grant factored in.
And despite its van-like styling and larger-than-life dimensions, the PV5 actually feels similar to a large car when it comes to handling, and that’s possibly the biggest complement you can pay this newcomer.