The wait is over—Van Reviewer is the first UK publication to get behind the wheel of the new Kia PV5 Passenger, Kia’s latest electric people mover and its first global light commercial vehicle designed specifically for transporting people.
We've had an exclusive first drive in a pre-production prototype during a visit to Kia’s new factory in South Korea.
Kia PBV range and production
In January 2024, Kia unveiled its PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicles) range at CES in Las Vegas, showcasing multiple electric vehicle concepts. The PV5 leads this line-up, available as both a cargo van and our focus here—the five-seat PV5 Passenger.
Manufactured at Kia’s new AutoLand Hwaseong Plant near Seoul, the PV5 Passenger is part of Kia’s ambitious plan to sell up to 250,000 PBVs annually by 2030.
Kia PV5 Passenger overview
The electric PV5 Passenger offers a spacious interior with seating for five and a generous luggage capacity of 1,320 litres, expandable to 2,315 litres with the second-row seats folded flat. Two battery options provide up to 249 miles of range, ensuring flexibility for urban and intercity travel.
What is the Kia PV5 Passenger price?
The long-wheelbase L2H1 version starts at £27,645 (excluding VAT and the Government Plug-in Van Grant), with a maximum £5,000 discount available. The larger 71kWh battery option adds £2,500 to the base price, bringing it to £30,145. Essential and Plus trims have a £1,000 price difference.
What is Essential Trim?
PV5 Passenger 'Essential’
Tinted rear glass
LED headlights, DRLs, rear lights and rear fog lights
Automatic headlight control
Electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors with LED indicators
Body coloured bumpers with black moulding
Non-painted side sills and wheel arches
Gloss black wing mirror housing
Rain sensing front wipers
Part PU, part cloth upholstery
Driver’s seat armrest
60:40 split folding rear seats
2-spoke bio-artificial leather steering wheel
Manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
Electric one-touch front windows
Automatic air conditioning and window defogger system
Start/stop button with smart entry system
Fabric headlining
Driver and front passenger sunvisors with vanity mirror
Dual manual sliding side doors
Console storage box
LED cabin lights
Driver and passenger seat under trays, and seatback pockets
12.9-inch touchscreen navigation with Android Automotive OS
Wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ and free 7-year Kia Connect**
Bluetooth® with voice recognition**
2x USB-C ports (front)
7.5-inch driver display screen
6-speaker audio system
eCall system
Over-The-Air (OTA) functionality
Front and rear parking sensors and reversing camera system
Forward collision-avoidance assist 1.5 - city, pedestrian, cyclist, junction turning
Highway driving assist
Lane keep assist - line/road edge and lane following assist 2
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Smart cruise control with stop/go
Intelligent speed limit assist and manual speed limiter
Regenerative braking paddle shifters
Drive mode select
Electronic stability control
Anti-lock braking system with emergency stop signalling
Height-adjustable front seatbelts and height-adjustable headrests
All-round 3-point seatbelts with reminder warning
Driver and passenger airbags
Front thorax, pelvis and curtain airbags
Visible VIN and smart key
Thatcham category 1 security alarm and immobiliser with interior protection
16-inch steel wheels with full size wheel covers
Manual driver and front passenger seat adjustment
What is in Plus Trim?
PV5 Passenger 'Plus'
16-inch alloy wheels
Electric folding mirrors
Heated front seats and steering wheel
Electrically powered driver and front passenger seat adjustment
Driver and front passenger lumbar support
Powered tailgate
Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability with adapter
Wireless mobile phone charger
Rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist
Blind-spot collision avoidance assist
Safe exit warning
Optional: Heat pump
How big is the Kia PV5 Passenger?
Measuring up to 4.7m in length, the PV5 Passenger is slightly smaller than a Ford Transit Custom but rivals the Volkswagen ID Buzz. It offers flexible configurations with L1H1, L2H1, and L2H2 models.
What Range Will the PV5 Passenger have?
With battery options up to 71.2kWh, the PV5 Passenger achieves a range of up to 249 miles. Built on Kia’s adapted E-GMP platform, it uses a 400V system for cost efficiency.
Kia PV5 Passenger design
Staying true to its futuristic concept, the PV5 Passenger features bold LED headlights, a modern cabin with a 12.9-inch infotainment screen, and ample space for passengers and luggage.
Power, motors, and batteries
Powered by a 120kW motor delivering 250Nm of torque, the front-wheel-drive PV5 Passenger balances performance and efficiency for city and long-distance travel.
Warranty, dealers, and aftersales
Kia backs the PV5 Passenger with a 7-year/100,000-mile warranty. Sales and service are supported by a dedicated network of 60 UK Kia van dealers.
Verdict
The Kia PV5 Passenger is a compelling electric people mover, combining innovative design, practicality, and Kia’s trusted quality. It’s a strong contender in the growing electric passenger van market, ideal for families, businesses, and taxi services.
