Kia has unveiled the exterior design of its new PV5 electric van, ahead of its official debut at Kia’s annual EV Day in Tarragona, Spain. This is the first model in the Korean brand’s dedicated Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV) lineup and will be followed by the larger PV7 in 2026.

First seen in concept form at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2024, the mid-sized PV5 will be available in multiple configurations and size-wise, sits between Ford's e-Transit and Connect vans. However, its biggest rival will be the VW ID. Buzz, given it comes in both passenger and cargo variants. Seating in the PV5 Passenger has yet to be announced, but the ID. Buzz is offered with five, six, and seven-seat options.

Kia has confirmed that additional variants and conversions will be revealed at the upcoming event and further down the line, meaning the cool VW California-style concept, released at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2024, could become a production reality. Which makes the collective Electrifying team rather happy!

Kia has previously said that every PV model that follows will include something called ‘Easy Swap’ technology. This means that while the front cab of the vehicle stays fixed, the rear portion, called the ‘life module,’ is interchangeable. These modules—whether you need a van, a people carrier, a campervan, or even a taxi—can be swapped in and out using advanced mechanical coupling and electromagnetic tech. Meaning you could potentially use it as a van during the week for work, then switch it into a people carrier at the weekend. Although how this works in practice remains to be seen.

Kia’s design team has continued its 'Opposites United' design philosophy with its van range, which blends clean, technical surfaces with cladding on the lower parts of the vehicle to give it a rugged look. Both the Passenger and Cargo models share a similar appearance, but the Passenger Van is designed with a large glass area for improved visibility, a spacious interior, and a lift-up tailgate. The Cargo version has a slightly boxier design to prioritise load space and comes with twin side-opening doors for easier access to the load area.

Technical details have yet to be confirmed, but the PV5 concept shown in 2024 used a modified version of Kia’s E-GMP platform, which is already widely used across the brand’s electric SUVs. That platform can support 400V and 800V charging, but we expect it to charge at speeds of up to 150kW, which suggests it will share components with the smaller EV3 SUV rather than the EV9.

This could mean two battery options for the PV5 range, mirroring those in the EV3 – 58.3kWh or 81.4kWh – giving 270 or 375 miles of respective range, although this would obviously be reduced in a heavier van, particularly with a full load. It should also be capable of accepting a 22kW DC charge, which is quicker than some competitors and would make it more convenient and cost-effective for fleet operators to charge the van at depots.

One significant advantage the PV5 has  is Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, which is beneficial for those planning to buy outright rather than lease – or for those looking to pick one up on the second-hand market.

The models will make their first UK appearance at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham in April, with UK deliveries expected to begin in late 2025.