Kia PV5 Passenger Review: The Electric Van That Could Replace Your Family SUV says Shahzad Sheikh

I don’t usually review vans, but then the PV5 isn’t just a van. This is the ‘Passenger’, essentially the people-carrying version of Kia’s new electric van. So, it’s an MPV then? Not quite. At least, not yet. It doesn’t currently have enough seats to properly qualify for that category, although that will change when the seven-seat version arrives later. For now, think of it as a tall estate car thing in a futuristic shape.

Kia calls it a “Platform Beyond Vehicle” or PBV. The idea is simple. Electric vehicles use a flat skateboard-style platform, allowing manufacturers to build different bodies on top. The same basic underpinnings can become a delivery van, a chassis-cab pick-up truck, or this passenger version designed to carry people and their luggage.

And I tell you what. It does look cooler than your average load-hauler, that’s for sure. The styling is genuinely futuristic, with a sharp, angular design, a distinctive black glass upper section and striking LED lighting. It looks more like a concept vehicle that escaped from a motor show and got straight into airport transfer duties.

Unusually, the model I tested was the entry-level Essential version, fitted with the smaller 51.5kWh battery. It produces 120bhp and has an official WLTP range of 183 miles. Above it sits a larger-battery version with a 71.2kWh pack, 160bhp and up to 256 miles of range. The range tops out at around £38,000 for the better-equipped Plus model.

Practicality is where the PV5 really shines. Open the huge tailgate and you’ll find 1,330 litres of luggage space with the seats up. Fold the rear seats and that expands to a massive 2,300 litres. There are storage compartments everywhere, underfloor bins, side cubbies and accessory mounting points that allow owners to customise the interior.

The sliding rear doors open wide, making access effortless. Once inside, the amount of space is remarkable. There is plenty of headroom, acres of legroom and enough room to make many large SUVs feel cramped. We even flew a drone around the inside of it!

However, there is one major issue. At launch, the PV5 Passenger is only available as a five-seater. That seems a strange decision because the vehicle clearly looks like it was designed to accommodate more passengers. Kia says a seven-seat version is coming later, and personally I would wait for that model before committing. With seven seats, this could become one of the most versatile family EVs on sale.

The front cabin is functional rather than luxurious. The materials are hard-wearing and designed for durability, but everything feels solid and well assembled. There is a 7-inch digital instrument display and a 12.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Plus model adds useful features such as heated seats, a heated steering wheel and vehicle-to-load functionality. The Essential I drove felt slightly under-equipped for private buyers, particularly because it lacked heated seats, which are especially useful in an electric vehicle.

Out on the road, the PV5 is surprisingly easy to drive. Despite its size, visibility is excellent thanks to the huge glass area and large mirrors. It feels smaller than it looks and manoeuvring around town is remarkably straightforward. Adaptive cruise control works well on motorways, while the ride remains comfortable even over London’s notoriously battered roads.

What impressed me most was how refined it felt. Many van-based passenger vehicles still feel like commercial vehicles underneath. The PV5 does not. It feels solid, quiet and composed, with none of the rattles or vibrations often associated with vans.

The biggest weakness of this particular version is range. Around town it performs very well and makes excellent sense for local use. However, if you regularly travel long distances, the smaller battery can feel limiting. For motorway journeys, I would strongly recommend opting for the larger 71.2kWh battery.

Overall, the Kia PV5 Passenger is an impressive and genuinely innovative vehicle. It is practical, futuristic and surprisingly enjoyable to live with. Yet it feels like only part of the story has arrived. Once the larger battery and seven-seat configuration become available together, the PV5 could become one of the most compelling family vehicles on sale.

 

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