The Kia PV5 is the first of a far-reaching range of electric-only commercial and passenger vehicles that the Korean brand hopes will give it a solid foothold in a whole new area for it. The PV5 will initially roll out as a people mover called the Passenger and as a panel van called the Cargo – the only derivative confirmed for Australian release so far, in mid-2026.
Kia’s designers spent time looking at what other van makers have done in recent years and listened to customer feedback, demands and wishes before setting out the plan for the PV5. It’s part of a broader ‘PBV’ (Platform Beyond Vehicle) strategy that it hopes will future-proof its models and streamline production at a dedicated new commercial vehicle plant in South Korea.
The concept is to be able to spin multiple body styles off one core design, and to take much of the interior customisation in-house rather than shipping vans to third-party suppliers for additional work.
To see how the Kia PV5 stacks up, we got behind the wheel of the PV5 Passenger and PV5 Cargo at their European launch in Spain.
How much does the Kia PV5 cost?
As yet, there are no pricing details for the PV5 in Australia, but if European prices are anything to go by, it could be priced from around $55,000 for the Cargo version and $75,000 for the PV5 Passenger people mover (of it’s sold here). Pricing will not only vary by body style but also by the battery capacity, with two pack sizes for the Passenger and three for the PV5 Cargo.
To see how the Kia PV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
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What is the Kia PV5 like on the inside?
Much like the futuristic exterior, the PV5’s cabin is a striking collection of flat surfaces and functional design.
The cabin layout remains the same across Cargo and Passenger variants, with only some upholstery and materials differing between them.
The seating position is raised, though the PV5’s ground clearance isn’t that generous at 143mm. Tall side windows and a low-set armrest create an enhanced sense of spaciousness in the cabin and help improve sight lines for the driver. A split A-pillar design includes a grab handle on the inner section to aid ingress and egress. The forward section is still chunky and even with the presence of a front quarterlight window, it’s easy to lose a pedestrian or cyclist in the blind spot.
A two-spoke steering wheel has a squarish design similar to that found in Kia’s current passenger cars and it’s a good size. The buttons and toggles on it aren’t too small, and there aren’t that many crammed onto it, either. Also similar to Kia’s passenger cars is the three-stalk setup on the steering column, with start and drive selector located on the lower right side.
The PV5’s interior isn’t completely devoid of proper buttons, and things such as the mirror adjustment and window controls are on the top of what is a thick door panel. That also includes a handy storage compartment along the top and decent bottle holders lower down.
Directly behind the steering wheel is a 7.5-inch ‘Supervision’ digital instrument cluster that sets out all the main driving information one might need. Behind this display is a 3.25-litre storage compartment that’s useful for documents and smaller oddments.
Further storage can be found between the front seats and underneath the seats, with bins large enough to hold charging cables, for example.
A 12.9-inch touchscreen is mounted within easy reach and contains climate controls across the base of the display. It runs a bespoke infotainment system that differs from the one found in Kia’s passenger models. Based on an Android Automotive OS (AAOS), it is equipped with a cloud- based Open API (Application Programming Interface) that enables it to be set up and designed for specific user needs, such as fleet telematics software, delivery systems or even digital metering functions for taxis.
Initially, the PV5 Passenger will be offered as a five-seater in Europe with a large storage area behind the second row. Entry to the rear seats is quite easy and is helped by a low step height.
In time, Kia plans to roll out six- and seven-seat variants and a PV5 WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) that will come from the factory with a manually operated ramp that extends kerbside from the side door, rather than from the rear, which is more common. This version will have a three-seat bench across the back with an open space where the second row would normally be.
The PV5 Cargo load capacity is 4420 litres in the L2H1 configuration, though that figure will vary based on the other van offerings that come down the line.
Unlike the PV5 Passenger that gets a lift-up tailgate, the PV5 Cargo utilises twin side-hinged ‘barn’ doors for forklift-friendly access, and the low 419mm rear step height is one of the benefits that Kia is highlighting, especially for delivery drivers who frequently get in and out of the rear.
The load area is designed to accept two Euro-size pallets in a ’T’ configuration, but Kia is also developing a taller floor insert that will sit in line with the rear wheel-arches and allow for pallets to be loaded in widthways from the rear.
| Dimensions | Kia PV5 Passenger |
|---|---|
| Length | 4695mm |
| Width | 2255mm (including mirrors) |
| Height | 1899mm |
| Wheelbase | 2995mm |
| Cargo capacity | 1320L |
To see how the Kia PV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Buyers will get a choice of motors and battery sizes based on whether it’s a PV5 Passenger or a PV5 Cargo. With the people-moving Kia, there are two battery capacities, starting with a 51.5kWh unit that’s matched up with an 89kW motor, while a 71.2kWh battery is paired with a 120kW motor, which is what we’re driving here.
| Specifications | Kia PV5 Passenger |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electric |
| Battery | 71.2kWh NCM lithium-ion |
| Power | 120kW |
| Torque | 250Nm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2140kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 10.7s |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 19.1kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as tested) | 20.4kWh/100km |
| Claimed range | 412km |
| Max AC charge rate | 22kW |
| Max DC charge rate | 150kW |
Kia has created a dedicated platform for all PBV models called the E-GMPS. It’s a variant of the platform architecture that underpins its passenger cars but adopts some innovative features to improve its packaging. These include a dual bumper stopper system on the rear suspension and double wishbone front suspension featuring a forged aluminium lower arm, plus optimised steering ratios to provide what Kia claims is a best-in-class 5.5-metre turning circle.
To facilitate broader fleet requirements, the PV5 Cargo is available with three battery sizes: 43.3kWh, 51.5kWh and 72.1kWh, matched with 110kW, 89.4kW and 120kW motors, respectively. It may seem strange to offer a higher power output with the smallest battery, but this option would be ideally suited to postal services and other short-haul delivery companies that want the added power but have routes that don’t require a long range.
Performance is modest, as these vehicles are more about performing roles and doing so efficiently, rather than providing outright driving experiences. However, it does come ready for charging at depots and industrial units thanks to the option of 22kW AC charge rates, via which the largest battery can be fully charged in three to four hours. On DC power, the peak rate is 150kW, resulting in around a 30-minute 10-80 per cent recharge.
To see how the Kia PV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Kia PV5 drive?
The 120kW power output means that it gets away from a set of lights briskly but smoothly. With a 400kg simulated load in the back of the PV5 Cargo, performance was more than adequate, even on the highway.
There’s little drivetrain noise from the electric motor on the front axle, and both wind and road noise at higher speeds seem to be dealt with quite well.
But it’s the smoothness of the whole driving experience that makes it an appealing prospect, especially for drivers who have to spend all day in stop-start traffic. Not having a loud turbo-diesel engine idling away underneath makes for a less taxing work shift.
The suspension setup feels more sophisticated than most combustion-engined vans of a similar size. Having much of the weight set lower in the vehicle’s mass, even when there’s little to no load (or passengers) onboard, it drives and handles in a way that is more car-like than van-like.
There are the usual driver assistance features you’d want, such as adaptive cruise control, and drivers can alter the strength of the energy recuperation via paddles on the back of the steering wheel. When this function is dialled up to the maximum you have an effective one-pedal driving experience that’s a boon in traffic and around towns and cities.
One of the more useful driver assistance features is the blind-spot monitor, which activates a live camera feed of the blind spot when the indicator is turned on. The view is shown in the digital dashboard, and it’s a really useful aid to support the side mirrors, also working well at night.
Aside from some chunky A-pillars, we like how much you can see from the driver’s seat. The tall side windows in particular are useful, and the tight turning circle will be a plus in an urban environment.
To see how the Kia PV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
There will be different equipment grades announced in time, but Kia isn’t shying away from offering a lot of technology in the PV5 models. Essentially, all of the features you can find in Kia’s passenger cars are in these vehicles.
2026 Kia PV5 equipment highlights:
- LED headlights
- Heat pump
- Smart cruise control
- Reversing camera
- Rear cross-traffic avoidance
- Intelligent speed limit warning
- Lane keeping assist
- Blind-spot view monitor
- 12.9-inch touchscreen
To see how the Kia PV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Kia PV5 safe?
Although the Kia PV5 has not yet been assessed by ANCAP, it has been assessed by Euro NCAP, which awarded it a four-star safety rating.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Forward collision avoidance
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Safe exit warning
- Driver attention warning
- Blind-spot collision avoidance
- High beam assist
- Lane keeping assist
To see how the Kia PV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Kia PV5 cost to run?
When the Kia PV5 arrives in Australia, it should be a low-cost van to operate, especially if you have a favourable electricity rate.
Even on domestic tariffs, the largest battery will likely cost around $14 to recharge. More important to some business users, the whole PBV vehicle range that the PV5 is the first of is designed around a low total cost of ownership (TCO), meaning items such as the bumpers are produced in a way that makes them simpler, easier and cheaper to replace if needed.
As with other Kia Australia models, the PV5 will likely be covered by a seven-year, unlimited-km warranty.
To see how the Kia PV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Kia PV5
There will be some buyers who will understandably be wary of a brand, even of Kia’s stature, entering the commercial van market for the first time. However, Kia appears to have taken a logical approach with its PBV range of vehicles that should appeal to both private and business customers.
Beyond the concept-like design are solid underpinnings and several powertrain options.
The PV5 is both decent to drive and functional inside. It maximises interior space and has lots of practical elements in the cabin, but it’s electric-only approach may well limit sales initially.
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