Kia PV5 Electric Van First Look: More Details on a Potential (Volkswagen) Buzz Kill

This midsize box from Kia looks cool as-is—and cooler versions are coming.

Kia PV5 Electric Van First Look: More Details on a Potential (Volkswagen) Buzz Kill

Kia gave us the PV5 concept, its first answer to a question none of us were asking, frankly, before the 2024 CES in Las Vegas: What if the Korean brand built an awesome-looking, all-electric van that promised numerous variations including passenger, cargo, and (later) adventurous off-road campers? Well it is, and we dig it. The only open question for now is whether or not Kia will send the real-life, non-concept version of the PV5 just revealed today to America, where it could not only do battle with the electrified iterations of the Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans (as well as Rivian's released-from-Amazon-exclusivity Delivery 500 and 700 models), but also Volkswagen's hot new ID Buzz electric minivan. And, perhaps, even its corporate sibling, the Hyundai Staria, if we're lucky.

What Is the PV5?

It's a smallish (Kia calls it a "midsize," but that seems to be from an international, not American, perspective) electric van that mines battery and motor tech from elsewhere in the Hyundai-Kia product portfolio. At 184.8 inches long, 74.6 inches wide, and 74.8 inches tall (with a long 117.9-inch wheelbase), the PV5 fits in the shadow of a modern compact car such as a Honda Civic or Kia's own upcoming EV4 electric sedan. It is, of course, much taller, but within bounds—it's certainly more garage-able than any other commercial van on the market.

Kia dubs this a "PBV," or "Platform Beyond Vehicle" intended to "fulfill the diverse needs of a broad customer base by providing unprecedented flexibility and customization through innovative modularity." Translated to simple-speak, this means the PV5's underpinnings will be flexible enough to allow for various lengths, roof heights, and configurations, two of which are on display now: Passenger and Cargo. A chassis-cab version will also be available. This flexibility is gleaned from Kia's E-GMP-S architecture, spun off from the regular E-GMP setup that underpins other EVs as varied in size as the smaller EV3 SIUV, upcoming EV4 compact, existing EV6 crossover, and three-row EV9 SUV.

Kia PV5 Passenger electric van 1

Even between those two, there are surprising differences, namely different rooflines and rear door treatments. The PV5 Passenger model has a swing-up liftgate, much like an ordinary minivan or hatchback, and a slightly more curved and stylish roofline and pillar arrangement. For the more utilitarian Cargo version, Kia squares up the roofline and installs a pair of clamshell rear doors that swing out to either side.

Both look cool, though, and faithfully translate the blocky, futuristic appearance previewed by the PV5 concepts last year. The aesthetic is utilitarian, but interesting enough to not come off as commercial or basic, with interesting LED lighting bending around the short hood, chunky plastic bumpers, and vertical taillights bookending tall and almost flat side glass (at least on the passenger model). Even the wheels wear nifty little designs, though we expect more commercial-grade steel wheels to be available. Hell, those might even look cooler.

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Kia PV5 Crew van reveal 13

hree Battery Sizes, One Highly Flexible Factory

Kia will build the PV5 in a specialized, highly flexible factory in Korea capable of churning out small batches of PV5 variants—effectively bringing the traditional art of commercial vehicle upfitting in-house. This means the PV5 and its spinoffs will deliver OEM-quality integrations, be they higher roofs or unusual door and seating configurations or 2+3 "crew" seating with a walled-off cargo hold behind the second row.

Cargo models will be available with as small as a 43.3-kWh battery pack; the passenger and chassis cab models can only be had with 51.5-kWh or 71.2-kWh packs that also are available on the cargo. Total driving range is estimated at up to 249 miles, albeit on the optimistic WLTP test cycle. Here in America, expect a lower range—perhaps in line with the 230-some miles the Volkswagen ID Buzz delivers. Every PV5, it seems, is front-wheel-drive, powered by a 120-kW (161-hp), 184-lb-ft electric motor.

Like other emerging affordable Kia EVs, the PV5 uses a 400-volt electrical architecture. Pricier models get 800-volt setups that are capable of charging more quickly, but even so, the PV5 is claimed to charge from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes on a DC fast charger.

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And That's Not All...

Kia promises further variations on the PV5 theme, "including derivative models and conversion options." We're hoping those include production-intent versions of the PV5 Wkndr off-road electric camper van concept shown late last year at the L.A. auto show. Among several listed brands Kia is working with on PV5 spinoffs, conspicuously, is Westfalia—the camper converter of note for classic VWs. Kia is mum on whether or not the PV5 will come to America; it's definitely going on sale next year in Europe, and we're told it'll also make it to Canada, but with trade instabilities and the fate of the EV tax credit here in America up in the air, Kia's wisely staying open to options.

We figure that, if the PV5 were sold stateside, you can expect only passenger versions and those upfit for specific private uses, such as an accessible vehicle with ramps or even light weekender camper vans. Still, it's hard not to get excited about a compact-car-sized, three-row EV that's arguably more VW-bus-like than today's VW bus, the very expensive ID Buzz. With Kia promising a global starting price around $30,000, even tariffs or America's so-called "Chicken tax" on foreign-built trucks could mean a $40,000-ish MSRP—about twenty grand cheaper than the Volkswagen. An affordable all-electric family and lifestyle adventure vehicle with funky, very van-like style? We're all in.