Kia has released preliminary specifications for the upcoming PV5 electric van, set to launch in the latter half of the year. The PV5 marks the initial model in Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) series and will be offered in various configurations, including passenger, cargo, and chassis cab options.
The PV5 passenger version, designed for dual use, features three rows of seating, facilitating a seamless transition between personal and business applications. Kia has also collaborated with Uber, with the intent that the PV5 is optimized for multiple applications across Uber’s service categories.
The PV5 Cargo model comes in Standard, Long, and High-Roof configurations. The cargo space can reach up to 180.1 cubic feet (5,100 liters). While the Standard and Long variants have a standard front two-seat layout, a third seat is available as an optional extra. There’s also an available L-track mounting system for the cargo spaces.
The PV5 Chassis Cab is based on the PV5 Cargo model, but is supplied as an “incomplete vehicle” to be customized for a variety of purposes, such as a drop-side truck or a refrigerated van.
In terms of size, the Passenger and Cargo Long variants are 184.8 inches (4,695 mm) long, with a 117.9-inch (2,995 mm) wheelbase. This makes the vans slightly shorter when compared to the US-spec Volkswagen ID.Buzz, but nearly identical in size to the short wheelbase version available in Europe.
Inside, the PV5 features a minimalist dashboard with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.9-inch infotainment system running Android Automotive OS. Other features within the interior include a pillar-like center stack and a two-spoke steering wheel with a column-mounted shifter.
Despite the minimalist style, the interior allows for substantial customization using “AddGear” modular accessories. Passenger models offer a variety of storage compartments and heated second-row seating.
The PV5 is built on the Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S), an updated version of the original E-GMP architecture. This new platform standardizes core components, such as batteries and motors, to reduce costs and streamline the design of the van. This platform allows for various upper body styles to be integrated into the van.
The PV5 is available with a combination of battery options: a 43.3 kWh LFP battery pack, and 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh NCM batteries. The passenger version, equipped with the 71.2 kWh battery, offers a range of up to 249 miles (400 km) using the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure. For charging, the PV5 can be charged from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes.
All PV5 configurations are powered by a front-mounted motor producing 161 hp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque. Kia plans for the PV5 to go on sale in Europe and South Korea in the second half of this year, with a launch in other markets expected in 2026.
