Kia reveals PV7 electric van with 800-volt charging, 8.0 cubic metres and nine seats

Kia has revealed the PV7, the larger second model in its electric Platform Beyond Vehicle range, at IAA Transportation in Hannover, stepping the line-up above the PV5 into the full light commercial segment with Cargo and Passenger versions.

Two battery packs are offered, 71.5kWh and 96.2kWh, driving the front wheels through a motor producing up to 200kW and 420Nm depending on market, with all-wheel drive planned later. Kia quotes more than 460km of WLTP range for the Long Range Cargo, and the 800-volt system takes the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in the mid-20-minute range on a 350kW charger. In a first for the brand, the PV7 has two charging ports, a front AC/DC port and an optional rear-side AC port for tight depot and kerbside parking.

The PV7 Cargo comes in Compact, Long and High Roof forms with two or three front seats. The Long carries up to 6.1 cubic metres and the High Roof 8.0 cubic metres, with payloads of 1,165kg for the Long and 1,200kg for the Compact. A 550mm loading height and room for three Euro pallets are matched by a choice between a full-opening twin-swing tailgate and a conventional lift-up one, a load-through bulkhead, independent cargo-door locking, and a heavy-load driving mode that adjusts the van’s behaviour to its payload. The power sliding door closes automatically when the driver walks away with the key, and cargo-door status can be checked remotely from a phone.

The cabin follows what Kia calls a Mobile Workspace concept, with a layered dashboard, open storage and, on three-seat versions, a centre seatback that folds into a tray. Physical controls remain for frequently used functions alongside the Pleos Connect system, which runs on Android Automotive with an app marketplace, over-the-air updates and Kia’s Gleo AI voice assistant, on 12.9-inch and 14.6-inch displays.

The PV7 Passenger seats up to nine in Compact and Long lengths, aimed at shuttle, rental, tourism and large-family use. A seven-seat, which we expect to be the version to make it here, uses long-rail seats that slide and remove, and the nine-seater can be had with or without a fourth row. Rear climate controls are roof-mounted, 100W USB-C ports are available, and the cabin uses two-tone finishes, ambient lighting, enclosed storage and an optional centre console that doubles as a table. Power sliding rear doors are available.

Both versions carry vehicle-to-load through interior and exterior outlets to run tools or camping gear, seven airbags including a roof-mounted front passenger airbag, and Kia’s driver assistance suite with Highway Driving Assist 2.0, remote parking and a built-in dash camera. Pedal Misapplication Safety Assist is fitted to guard against unintended acceleration. Replaceable bumper corners, wheel-arch sections and door cladding are designed to simplify repairs.

Kia plans 23 PV7 variants including a chassis cab and a range of conversions, with a PV9 to follow in 2029. The PV7 launches in Korea and Europe in the second half of 2027, with other markets to follow.

A spokesperson told us; “Kia NZ has confirmed anticipated arrival of PV7 late 2027, with model line up and specification details to be released closer to launch.”

The smaller PV5 arrived here this quarter from $64,990 plus on-road costs for the Cargo, with a seven-seat Passenger due in the fourth quarter and a High Roof early next year, and we drove it in July. The PV7 would arrive into a segment where Ford’s $58,990 electric Transit City lands in January.