New Kia PV5 finally arrives as it looks to challenge the electric van elite
Technical information has now been revealed for Kia’s VW ID.Buzz rival, with the electric MPV boasting up to 249 miles of range
Kia’s venture into the hard-fought commercial vehicle market is gathering pace, with the firm revealing full details of its PV5 electric van and MPV at its annual EV Day. Following a selection of exterior images, we now know much more about the Kia PV5 – including range, charging and specification information.
Looking almost identical to the exclusive image we revealed in the autumn, the production-ready PV5 develops its concept car-like aesthetic with a sharp daytime running-light signature and separate headlamps mounted into the lower bumper. The contrasting bonnet is another feature we picked out last year, although the centralised badge and charging port are new.
The cladding on the lower part of the bumper, along the sills and wheelarches, gives both the Cargo and Passenger versions of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz rival a slightly rugged, off-road look. Both models have sliding side doors, but the MPV swaps out the panel van’s split rear doors in favour of a single-piece tailgate that is hinged from the roof. A set of tall rear light clusters complete the look.
Kia PV5 design and bodystyles
A variety of bodystyles will be offered: Passenger, Cargo and Crew Cab, as well as a Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) with a ramp that slides out the side door capable of supporting up to 300kg. Later, a Chassis Cab-style model will join the range, offering up a platform for myriad uses – ambulances, ice cream vans or campers, for example. Kia says the PV5 “will leverage the brand’s world-leading electric car technology to fulfil the diverse needs of a broad customer base by providing unprecedented flexibility and customisation through innovative modularisation”.
Indeed, Kia is already in talks with businesses such as Uber, DHL and Petit Forestier to create bespoke versions of the PV5 in-house – at a special facility next-door to its ‘EVO’ plant in South Korea. Kia says this will help it offer “off the shelf” conversion solutions for multiple different uses.
Platform and technology
The PV5 sits on Kia’s new E-GMP.S architecture. While bespoke to the firm’s commercial vehicles, it is loosely based on the established E-GMP layout, which underpins a number of Kia, Hyundai and Genesis passenger cars. Kia says its Integrated Modular Architecture sits at its core, which apparently “standardises essential components such as batteries and [electric] motors”. This should streamline vehicle development and reduce costs.
Interior and practicality
Inside, the so-called ‘PV5 Passenger’ offers seating for up to seven across three rows, which can be optimised in various configurations. Kia hasn’t provided a boot-space figure with rows two and three folded, but claims a “spacious luggage area” that is “complemented by a bottom luggage tray and side storage trays for optimal space utilisation”.
The dashboard is dominated by a 12.9-inch central screen running Android Automotive which not only benefits from over-the-air (OTA) updates, but an extensive online library that can enable the use of “business-specific” apps. Ahead of the driver sits a seven-inch digital instrument cluster. The PV5 also gets vehicle-to-load (V2L) tech, which allows owners to power external devices via a three-pin plug.
Batteries, range and charging
Under the metal, there’s a choice of 51.5kWh or 71.2kWh batteries, with an additional 43.3kWh option for the PV5 Cargo. All versions feature a single motor on the front axle producing up to 161bhp and 250Nm of torque.
Kia doesn’t quote an official range for all three models, but says the biggest battery is good for up to 249 miles on a single charge. Based on a 400-volt electrical architecture – rather than the 800-volt systems available elsewhere in the Kia line-up – a 10 to 80 per cent top-up should take around 30 minutes.
Prices and specifications
UK prices and specifications will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch date in the second half of this year, but bosses have claimed an approximate starting figure of 30,000 Euros (£25,000) excluding VAT for a basic Cargo variant. We expect a fairly chunky premium for the Passenger version, which would also be inclusive of VAT.
We understand the PV5 will come with the same seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty as Kia’s passenger cars, though not all dealers will have the facilities to service and sell the vehicles. From launch, around 20 to 25 per cent of Kia’s 2,600 European dealers will have a dedicated PBV outlet.
