New Kia PV5 Passenger takes on the VW ID.Buzz with seven seats and electric power

• New electric MPV
• Choice of five or seven-seat layout
• Range of up to 249 miles

Kia may have a vast offering of SUVs on sale these days, but the South Korean firm hasn’t given up on family-friendly MPVs just yet, as demonstrated by the new Kia PV5 Passenger.

It’s one of the few electric people carriers on the market, with the retro-themed Volkswagen ID. Buzz being the key player at the moment. Kia has taken a completely different approach to styling its PV5, however, leaning into its futuristic ‘Opposites United’ design approach that we’ve seen on the EV9, EV3 and the newly-unveiled EV4.

The PV5 ‘Passenger’ is one of several bodystyles that Kia will offer, alongside a ‘Cargo’ panel van, a chassis cab variant, and even a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV). Family car buyers will be interested in the Passenger variant with its three-row layout, but Kia says that this model has also been designed from the ground up with Uber drivers in mind. It’s set to go on sale later this year, with UK pricing to be confirmed soon.

What makes the Kia PV5 Passenger so practical?

The Kia PV5 looks like it will be one of the most practical family cars on the road when it arrives later this year, thanks to its boxy van-like proportions. At 4,695mm long, it’s hardly a finger’s width longer than an EV6, but Kia has packaged an extra row of rear seats in the PV5, allowing it to accommodate up to seven passengers.

It should be versatile, too. The rear seats fold and can be removed entirely, essentially converting it into a van for cargo-moving duties. The second row of seats can recline until flat, which – when paired with a flat board – can create an “ideal setup for a weekend camping trip” according to Kia. Like most MPVs of this size, the rear doors slide open to make it easier to get in and out when parked in a tight space.

Of course, there are plenty of storage cubbies throughout the cabin, including a luggage tray in the boot and compartments in the passenger seating zones. A new ‘AddGear’ system has been developed for the PV5, too, allowing customers to attach extra storage components after they’ve received their vehicle.

Kia has also worked hard to ensure the PV5 has good visibility, which should prove useful when navigating tight city streets or car parks. The bonnet and window beltline have been “optimised”, while the front pillar is divided by a small window, which should help with visibility when pulling out of junctions.

The rest of the interior looks to be fairly minimalist. The driver gets a seven-inch display for driving information, while there’s a 12.9-inch central screen for infotainment running an Android Automotive-based operating system.

What about the exterior design of the Kia PV5 Passenger?

If the Volkswagen ID. Buzz harks back to the 1960s, the PV5 looks like it’s just landed from 2060. The striking LED daytime-running lights give the front end a futuristic look, while the main headlight units are integrated into the bumper below. 

Bold geometric shapes on the outside tie the PV5 back to Kia’s latest models – we can see some EV9 in the chunky lower cladding, while the floating roof design reminds us of the EV3. It’s still very much a van in its proportions, but it’s the unique design details that set it apart from your average Ford Transit.

What about the battery, electric motor and range?

The Kia PV5 Passenger will be offered with either a 52kWh or a 71kWh battery, and both come connected to a front-mounted electric motor producing 161bhp. No performance figures have been confirmed as of yet, but we do know the bigger battery will deliver up to 249 miles of range. That’s about 40 miles short of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz with its biggest 86kWh battery.

The underlying electric tech is based on a 400-volt architecture, unlike the more advanced 800-volt system in some Kia models. That means it will miss out on the lightning-fast 350kW maximum charging speed of its siblings, but a 10 to 80% rapid charge should only take around 30 minutes.

How much does the Kia PV5 Passenger cost?

Kia hasn’t confirmed pricing for the PV5 Passenger yet, but it’s suggested that the Cargo van variant will start from around €30,000 (approximately £25,000) excluding VAT. We expect the PV5 Passenger to be a lot more expensive due to its extra kit, seating and VAT, but it could still undercut the ID. Buzz, which starts from nearly £60,000.

Kia PV5 Passenger images

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