Kia PV5 review

Make and model: Kia PV5 Cargo
Description: Mid-sized electric van
Price range: £27,645

Kia says: “Bigger space. Faster charge. Flexible business options.”
We say: A good-sized electric van that’s cheaper than its main rival

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Introduction

Kia has been knocking it out of the park over the last few years with its EV passenger car line-up, but the PV5 is the company’s first attempt at building an electric van. It also marks Kia’s entry into the LCV market here in the UK – the first of at least three electric vans that will arrive over the next couple of years.

Electric vans have been slow to get off the mark in the UK, but this has started to change over the last year. Does the Kia PV5 have what it takes to help accelerate the shift to EVs across the LCV market? We went to the UK launch to find out.

What is it?

The PV5 is an all-electric mid-size LCV, similar in size to the Ford e-Transit Custom. Vauxhall Vivaro Electric and others. Unlike those models, there’s no diesel or hybrid alternative in the Kia line-up – it’s electric-only. It’s also available as a five-seat passenger van.

Kia has certainly taken the opportunity of a clean-sheet design to come up with a distinctive style for the PV5 that looks like nothing else on the road. It’s a world away from traditional van styling, and only the Volkswagen ID. Buzz (or maybe the LEVC VN5) has anything like the individuality that the Kia offers.

Who is this van aimed at?

It’s aimed at small to medium-sized businesses that do last-mile deliveries and longer runs through urban areas – especially in ULEZ-restricted London. Customers can choose from two battery sizes: a 52kWh (184 miles) battery and a 71kWh (258 miles) battery.

The passenger option is perfect for airport transfer companies.

Who won’t like it?

Obviously, anyone who still prefers diesel or petrol/electric hybrid power for their van isn’t going to be interested. And if you prefer a retro theme, you’re more likely to choose the Volkswagen ID. Buzz or LEVC VN5 than the more futuristic-looking Kia.

First impressions

We liked how different the Kia PV5 looks, particularly from the front. With its distinctive LED headlights, two-tone paintwork and geometric shapes, it makes other delivery vans look old hat. Yet it’s still a boxy van that puts practicality before fashion, as any good workhorse should.

Step inside, however, and the impression is less dramatic. The layout is far more conventional, indeed quite spartan, albeit very practical. The good news is that there’s loads of room and plenty of cubby holes, including a pull-out drawer and underfloor shoe storage.

We like: Lots of room. Good looking.
We don’t like: Feels quite basic inside.

What do you get for your money?

The basic Kia PV5 Cargo comes with 16-inch wheels, LED headlights, heated door mirrors, air conditioning, manual driver and passenger seat adjustment, a driver’s armrest, a front 12-volt power socket, and a nearside single manual sliding door. So the spec is decent without being class-leading.

In terms of load-carrying capabilities, there are 4,420 litres of rear space and a low 42cm rear step height. The PV5 will also carry up to 790kg and includes rear wall protection to help keep repair costs low, as well as L-track mounting points.

We like: Decent equipment on the entry-level model
We don’t like: Three-pin power socket in the cargo area only available on top-spec trim level

What’s the Kia PV5 like inside

For now, there’s enough room up front for a driver and passenger, although Kia told us that a middle seat is on the way. Unlike other Kia products, there are very few physical controls, but the 13-inch touchscreen features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

There’s plenty of visibility, thanks to smaller quarter windows, larger side windows and mirrors. Material quality seemed solid, so should hopefully cope with years of use and abuse.

We like: Roomy. Lots of visibility.
We don’t like: We’d like more physical controls.

What’s the Kia PV5 like to drive?

We drove both battery variants, and despite the power differences (120 vs 160hp), there weren’t massive differences in outright performance on straighter sections. Each van had a 350kg payload on board for our drive, and as youd expect, the 160hp version climbed hills a little more easily.

The PV5 also offers predictable and flat cornering, although you still sit tall enough that you wouldn’t describe it as “car-like handling” (a phrase that far too many van manufacturers tend to throw around…). In any case, it makes for relaxed and easy driving in any conditions. However, as with most vans, it does become unsettled over larger bumps at higher speeds. Our vans also emitted a strange buffeting sound from the rear above 50mph.

We like: Decent performance with both batteries. Good handling.
We don’t like: Can become unsettled over larger bumps. Slightly noisy at speed.

Verdict

The Kia PV5 is an excellent new entrant to the electric delivery van market. Not only is it vastly cheaper than the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, but it looks just as special. Driving range isn’t quite as impressive as the Volkswagen, but it’s still likely to be more than enough for most users.

It’s a well-priced workhorse, and Kia certainly has big plans for the PV5 over the next few years. Based on feedback from customers, there are a variety of possibilities for extending the model range to additional versions – the usual longer and higher bodies, additional trim levels and more luxurious passenger versions are all on the table if Kia sees enough demand.

Additional reporting by Stuart Masson.

Similar vans

Citroën e-Dispatch | Fiat E-Scudo | Ford E-Transit Custom | Farizon SV | LEVC VN5 | Maxus eDeliver 3 | Mercedes-Benz eVito | Peugeot E-Expert | Renault Trafic E-Tech | Vauxhall Vivaro Electric | Volkswagen e-Transporter | Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo

Key specifications

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