Words: Andrew Sluys
Published 17 July 2026
With one of the most straightforward naming conventions in the automotive industry, Kia was always going to face a bit of an issue as its electric range expanded into other segments. Was the answer to just keep adding bigger numbers? Of course not, changing the letter is a far more viable option.
If you’re wondering why Kia’s new van is called the PV5, it’s because it sits on the brand’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (or PBV) underpinnings. This is a modular “skateboard” electric platform that allows Kia to easily modify the vehicles it offers with it.
For example, the PV5 Cargo was recently launched in New Zealand, but this is just the start of the PV family. A seven-seat PV5 Passenger variant is set to land within the year, and a high roof version of the PV5 Cargo will arrive early next year. In late 2027, the PV7 will arrive, which will be similarly sized to a Toyota Hiace. This will be offered in both Cargo and Passenger variants. And finally, a Sprinter-sized PV9 will launch in 2029, offering enormous amounts of cargo space, still on the same electric underpinnings.
A Courier’s Best Friend
Today we’re here to talk about the PV5 Cargo, as it has just launched, and Kia New Zealand is very excited about it.
At 4695mm long, it’s significantly smaller than the diesel-powered cargo vans we know in New Zealand, and more akin to the other electric vans currently on sale such as the Farizon V7E or the VW ID.Buzz. But this is a selling point according to Kia New Zealand, as it’s targeted at city-based delivery drivers that need to zip in and out, whilst reducing down time.
On the inside, it features 4420-litres of cargo space, across an area that measures 2255mm long, and 1565mm wide. This loading area is 1520mm high, and the rear step height is 419mm.
The PV5’s payload rating is 765kg, and it can tow just 750kg, no matter whether or not the trailer is braked.
It can be had with either five doors, or six (which means it gets a sliding cargo door on both sides of the van).
As for pricing, it’s all quite simple. The PV5 Cargo starts at $64,990. If you want six doors, it’s $500 extra. If you want any colour that isn’t white, it’s $1,500 extra. If you want 22kW AC charging (over the standard 11kW) it’s $2,000 extra.
Zippy, but not Fast
The PV5 is powered by a 71.2kWh lithium ion battery, which sits in the floor of the van. It provides a driving range of up to 416km (WLTP).
As mentioned, it can charge at 11kW with an AC charger, which will take around six and a half hours to charge from 10 to 80 per cent. With the optional 22kW AC upgrade, this charging time drops to around three hours and 15 minutes.
As for DC charging, it is rated up to 150kW, which will take around 30 minutes to charge from 10 to 100 per cent.
Performance-wise, the PV5 uses a single electric motor on the front axle, which produces 120kW and 250Nm. Kia claims a 0-100km/h time of 12.4-seconds, which seems slower than what it feels, but the instant torque of these EVs always make them feel faster than what they are.
The sprint from 0 to 50km/h is brisk, but the modest power figure is obvious towards highway cruising speeds as the acceleration tapers off.
With its tight steering system and impressive ride, I’d argue that it drives more like an SUV than a traditional cargo van. It uses double wishbone suspension up front, with a torsion beam rear, but you don’t get the harsh rear axle jolts I’m used to experiencing from driving empty cargo vans.
This is likely one of the benefits of the PBV underpinnings where Kia is able to optimise driving dynamics for one platform, and then use the same tuning across the entire range of models.
As for safety, the PV5 has an impressive array of advanced features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking. It isn’t as advanced in this department as some of its passenger models, but it’s adequate for a van.
Simple but Effective Cabin
While the exterior of the PV5 is very futuristic-looking, the interior is a far more familiar affair.
It gets a pair of seats with basic cloth upholstery and manual adjustment. There’s also not too much adjustment to be had, considering the solid bulkhead behind the cabin. As expected, the seating position is very upright, and the pedals felt slightly offset from the driver’s seat, which took some getting used to.
As for tech, the PV5 gets all the modern staples including a 7.5-inch digital cluster, and a 12.9-inch infotainment display. You get built-in navigation on this system, with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. Kia also offers over-the-air updates for the PV5.
There’s one 100-watt USB C outlet, and a wireless phone charger below it. There’s also a heap of storage all around the cabin, with a particularly useful glove box thing behind the steering wheel.
Visibility was obviously a very important aspect of the PV5, as the glasshouse is massive. The side windows are some of the largest I think I have come across on a production vehicle, and the sills are down by your knees.
While the majority of the cabin is a fantastic exercise in practical simplicity, I will say the rear-vision mirror is a massive oversight. Where a lot of vans with solid bulkheads will fit a digital rear-vision mirror, the PV5 has retained an entirely useless mirror. You can use the reversing camera on the infotainment screen as a workaround, but then you aren’t able to use the navigation system at the same time. This feels like a massive swing and miss from an otherwise wonderful cabin.
The Goldilocks Van?
Once a niche offering, the electric van segment now features a fair few competitors, with Kia’s PV5 looking like the most complete.
At the cheaper end of the scale there’s the Farizon V7E. This one seems to currently be the most popular choice at $55,990.
Then there’s Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz with its German engineering and retro styling coming in at a hefty $99,990. It’s a similar story for Ford’s electric Transit, which is offered from $98,990.
Kia might face a tough challenge winning over buyers from the Farizon, considering the almost five-figure price difference, but it will be the Korean’s reputation for reliability that will get these PV5s over the line.
