Kia Says The 2026 PV5 Van Is For Everyone
Kia is expanding its electric vehicle lineup with the PV5, a multi-purpose electric van designed for both personal and commercial use. The Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) is built on Kia’s new E-GMP.S architecture, offering multiple configurations including passenger, cargo, chassis cab, and wheelchair-accessible variants.
Key Points
- Kia unveils the PV5 electric van, designed for both personal and commercial use, with multiple configurations including passenger, cargo, and chassis cab variants.
- Three battery options are available, with a maximum range of 248 miles (WLTP) and DC fast charging from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes.
- No U.S. launch is planned yet due to the 25% "chicken tax" import tariff on light trucks, company is exploring options for the U.S. market
- Sales will begin in South Korea and Europe in late 2025, with other markets following in 2026.
The PV5 Passenger is like any other van with three rows of seats capable of folding into different configurations, making it suitable for ride-hailing and personal use. The Cargo variant comes in standard, long, and high-roof configurations, while the Chassis Cab is customizable for use as a box van, freezer truck, or camper. Kia will also release a crew van and a dedicated wheelchair-accessible model (WAV).
At 183.4 inches long, the PV5 is slightly smaller than Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz but offers a longer wheelbase (117.9 inches), maximizing interior space. The Passenger model seats up to eight people (2-3-3 layout), while the Cargo version has 5.1 cubic meters of storage, enough to fit two Euro pallets.
Like the EV4, which also debuted earlier today, the PV5 is front-wheel-drive only, with a single electric motor producing 161 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The van is built on Kia’s new E-GMP.S platform, an offshoot of the E-GMP architecture used in models like the EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. The lack of power will make it a tough sell for the U.S. market, it's unclear if Kia has plans for a dual motor setup.
Buyers can choose from three battery options: 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries or a 43.3 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery exclusive to Cargo models. The long-range version with the 71.2 kWh battery has a WLTP-estimated range of 248 miles, translating to around 211 miles under EPA testing. Like other Kia EVs charging from 10% to 80% takes about 30 minutes using DC fast charging.
2026 Kia PV5 Electric Van: All The Details
The PV5’s interior features a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, separate from each other—unlike the dual-screen setups seen in Kia’s passenger EVs. Hard buttons remain on the center console for essential controls. The WAV model includes a reinforced ramp capable of supporting 661 pounds.
Kia plans to launch the PV5 in Europe and Korea in late 2025, with other regions following in 2026. However, bringing it to North America faces hurdles, mainly the 25% Chicken Tax on imported commercial vans. That said, Kia’s President and CEO, Ho Sung Song, confirmed the company is exploring options to bring the PV5 stateside.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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