A Futuristic Camper Van Concept that Redefines Adventure
The New York International Auto Show 2025 featured an unexpected showstopper: the Kia PV5 WKNDR concept camper van. This innovative vehicle caught the author’s attention with its bold, futuristic design and surprising practicality.
The ‘Gear Head’ storage system extended from the hood, creating a hutch-like enclosure for gear storage upon arrival at a campsite. This feature, combined with the van’s overall design, made the author reconsider their stance on camping.
Redefining the Camper Van Experience
The WKNDR’s boxy, robotic appearance was a departure from traditional camper vans. Yet, this futuristic aesthetic somehow complemented the natural environments it was imagined in – from peaceful lakes to desert canyons.
Kia has announced that the PV5 will enter production in various forms starting this year. While the author wasn’t initially a camper, the WKNDR’s blend of technology and outdoor capability made the idea of camping more appealing.
The concept doesn’t represent a return to primitive conditions, but rather an evolution of comfort into more interesting locations. It’s about stepping onto trails instead of hotel lobbies and dining under the stars with innovative gear.
This approach to adventure could be seen as ‘glamping,’ but it feels more empowering than that. When technology is integrated thoughtfully, it can reveal an inner outdoors lover that one might not have known they had.
