First Look: Kia PV5 Wants To Tackle The VW ID.Buzz

Kia PV5 in cargo van form.

Initially teased last week, Korean automaker Kia released the first exterior images of the new Kia PV5 electric van (e-van) this week. Both passenger and cargo versions were shown, both sporting a futuristic yet rugged design that’s effectively unchanged from its initial concept form.

Critically, this is the first from the automaker’s ‘Platform Beyond Vehicles’ (PBVs) line, and it will be followed by a larger-sized PV7 offering that will debut in two years’ time. Clearly, with the PV5, Kia has placed the VW ID.Buzz, Ford Transit, and Geely’s Farizon SV, in its crosshairs.

Kia PV5 in passenger form.

Technical details remain unconfirmed, but the PV5 was developed from the ground-up as a e-van instead of using a re-adapted combustion-engine platform. As seen in the concept, expect the production-bound model to harness a 400-volt architecture and the EV3’s front e-motor setup.

Outputs are expected to be identical as the EV3, which outputs 201 HP and 283 NM that enable 0-100 KM/H sprints in 7.6secs too. No doubt, said performance will differ in this van offshoot, especially once it’s fully laden with passengers and luggage, or cargo.

Kia PV5 Concept as seen during Kia EV Day APAC 2024 in Taiwan.

As for batteries, expect both the 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh packs primed in the EV3 offered too, which in turn sees said compact EV crossover promising up to 435 KM and 604 KM of range respectively. Again, expect said range figures to differ in this e-van.

Though the PV5 has been revealed in both passenger and cargo van forms, Kia is poised to show more variants at its upcoming EV Day event on 27 Feb. The nature of the van’s skateboard-style EV platform means that it can effectively wear any ‘hat’ that Kia desires.

The cargo version pictured is expected to adopt floor- and ceiling-mounted railing system. We can also faintly see a split digital displays primed in the dash here.

In fact, the concept was shown in both pick-up and rugged camper van forms prior, so perhaps we can expect these to appear at the upcoming Kia EV Day event day mentioned. What should remain across all forms of the PV5 is its distinct front fascia design.

Unchanged from the concept, this e-van's ‘face’ sports angular LED DRLs positioned high above the separate main-beam headlights primed in the lower bumper. No interior images were released, but we can see the dash rocking split digital infotainment and instrument displays.

More variants of the Kia PV5 are expected to debut later this month. All will share this distinct front fascia featuring high-mounted LED DRLs and split main-beam headlights hidden in the lower bumper element.

In the back, the cargo version of this stylish e-van is also expected to adopt a novel floor- and ceiling-mounted rail system. In turn, this ought to easily allow the installation or removal of either ‘furniture’ like cabinets, or passenger seats.

Speaking of the latter, Kia hasn’t confirmed how many people the PV5 can accommodate and ferry aboard. It is worth noting that the similar-sized VW ID.Buzz offers five-, six- and seven-seat configuration choices.

Nevertheless, expect more details of this production-ready Kia PV5 when it properly debut later this month. After which, Kia is poised to put this e-van into production rapidly and begin deliveries from Oct onwards…