KIA PV5 Passenger Review 2026, Watch Out Buzz & E-Transit! (UK)(4K) | Carcode

#kia #kiapv5 #van

The KIA PV5 is the brand's 1st model in their new PBV range of commercial vehicles, launching in the H1 L2 model available as a Cargo Van or as the Passenger Van as tested.

Electric vans have quickly progressed in just a few years, being offered with more range, payload and at a much more affordable price! The PV5 Passenger is available from £32,995 including VAT, (with the model 'Plus' I tested starting at just over £38,000) Undercutting its 2 main rivals the Volkswagen ID.Buzz and the Ford E-Custom Tourneo, both of which start at around £60,000! The PV5 is slightly smaller than those main 2 rivals actually sitting between the size of something like a Berlingo and the Transit Custom.

Both a standard range with a 51kWh and a long range with the 71kWh battery are offered, a heat pump is also an option on the long range for £780. With the 256 mile WLTP range on the van tested, the range is very competitive, not quite as much as most Buzz's but more than what's offered on the smaller electric Stellantis vans like the Peugeot E-Partner with its 213-mile WLTP range.

Next year KIA will be expanding their commercial vehicle range with a WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) and also more seat configurations. A shorter H1 L1 model will also be offered for the Cargo model. Plans for a full-size PV7 van are also underway to take on the Renault E-Master and Ford Transit.

Fit and finish is never quite as plush on a van as in a passenger vehicle, however KIA has done a good job of making a solid-feeling cabin which was pretty refined for a van too.

Thanks again to KIA UK for inviting me along to the launch of both the PV5 & EV5, it was great to be one of the first to check out these new vehicles!