Kia PV5 review

Our opinion on the Kia PV5 Passenger

You might struggle to believe that a glorified van with windows could warrant such a high star rating, but the Kia PV5 moves the needle when it comes to big, affordable electric cars. Granted, it can’t yet carry a full rugby sevens team, but assuming it doesn’t command a big premium, the PV5 could be one of the best-value new family cars around.

About the Kia PV5 Passenger

Kia is certainly hoping that the unrelenting popularity of SUVs has finally plateaued, because the PV5 Passenger is a highly practical and (much) more affordable alternative to the retro-styled Volkswagen ID. Buzz. It also competes with other electric SUVs, such as the Peugeot E-5008 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

The PV5 uses Kia’s E-GMP.S platform, which has a couple of intricacies that may be of benefit in the real world. The first is its Cell-to-Pack (CTP) tech which, with increased battery density, should offer tangible efficiency gains. The second is its front-driven layout; with all the hardware mounted low and ahead of the driver, this MPV can do what MPVs do best – concentrate on functionality above all else.

Measuring 4,695mm long, the PV5 is 17mm shorter than the base Buzz, and while a choice of five and seven-seat layouts will be available, there’s no extra-long version as offered on the VW. In addition to being a little more compact, the Kia is also down on power, range and charging speed compared with its European counterpart.

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So far, we’ve tested the Kia PV5 in South Korea on the international launch, and in the UK as part of the national launch. We have also tested the Kia PV5 Cargo van, which you can read about in a separate review.

Kia PV5 prices and latest deals

The Kia PV5 is priced from £32,995 in five-seat passenger guise, rising to £38,295 for the bigger-battery model in the top trim. That’s a lot more affordable than the VW ID. Buzz, and the PV5 Passenger also qualifies for the Government’s £1,500 Band 2 Electric Car Grant (ECG), helping to make the PV5 even more affordable. A seven-seater will join the range in 2026. 

If you're interested in purchasing a Kia PV5 Passenger, we can help. Configure your ideal Kia PV5 now to get top offers from local dealers, and check out the latest Kia PV5 leasing deals with our Find A Car service. You can even sell your existing car for a great price with Auto Express Sell My Car.

Given how strong the PV5 package is, the way it drives is virtually inconsequential. As long as it can get you from A to B with little fuss, it’s a winner, right? Sure, but the capable Kia is so much more than that; we found it to be stable, nippy, comfortable and quiet, as well as safe and manoeuvrable around town. It feels remarkably car-like for something that shares its platform and body with a panel van.

You could reasonably expect the 161bhp e-motor to struggle on the open road, yet while we were never driving with more than two occupants, even the PV5’s Eco setting had enough grunt to keep pace with other traffic. This seemed to have a positive effect on the range read-out, too, so we left it in the most efficient mode for the majority of our drive. 

We found the steering to be light, but the suspension did a great job of soaking up lumps and bumps, even on the countless sections of rough or rutted highway to the west of Seoul. We thought refinement was excellent for something so bluff-fronted, too.

The brakes are also worthy of mention. While the pedal feels smooth and progressive, we relied heavily on Kia’s intuitive multi-stage regenerative braking set-up on our drive. The system is easily adjusted via paddles on the steering wheel and can switch from friction-free coasting to forceful one-pedal driving at the flick of a switch. Treat it like old-school engine braking, and you’ll find you barely even brush the brakes in day-to-day driving.

Electric motors, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed

The base Standard Range PV5 gets a lower-power 120bhp motor, though we’ve not yet had an opportunity to try this version. However, we expect the Long Range will be the best version to haul the van’s bulk – especially with a full load. Officially, the more powerful 161bhp motor cuts the 0-62mph time from 12 seconds to 10.7 seconds. The top speed on both is pegged at just 84mph.

We’ve so far only driven the PV5 with two people on board. It felt punchy enough for day-to-day driving, never struggling to keep up with faster moving traffic. That might change with a full rugby sevens team on board, so make sure you try before you buy.

Town driving, visibility and parking

The big glasshouse and short front end mean the Kia PV5 is surprisingly easy to drive around town. Clever visual trickery lowers the window line for the driver and front passenger, which helps more than you might imagine when manoeuvring, and is further aided by the tall, upright driving position. 

Although it’s quite a long car, the PV5 is fairly narrow by van-based MPV standards. The key upside of this is that passing traffic down narrow streets isn’t that big of a concern. All-round visibility is fine thanks to the high driving position, and parking is pretty easy because every version gets a reversing camera.

Country road driving and handling

The PV5 is no sports car, but nor does it claim to be. It handles really neatly for a tall, boxy MPV with a comfortable ride and just enough poke to ensure you’re not left languishing alongside faster-moving traffic. The steering is light but accurate, meaning you’re always confident you know where the front wheels are pointing.

Motorway driving and long-distance comfort

We found the PV5 to be surprisingly adept on the motorway despite its bluff shape. There’s very little wind or road noise, and the car-like ride and handling mean it’s no chore to drive long distances.

“The Kia PV5 is remarkably car-like to drive. Sure, it’s big and boxy, but you sit high and the view out is excellent. Comfort and refinement are also very good for a vehicle such as this.” - Richard Ingram, deputy editor    

While the Cargo van comes with three battery options, this Passenger variant is available only with the larger 51.5kWh and 71.2kWh set-ups. The Standard Range version has a maximum range of just 183 miles, so despite the attractive starting price, we think the extra £3k seems like a worthwhile expense to step up to the Long Range version, which, on paper, extends the van’s usability considerably – topping out at 256 miles on the WLTP test cycle.

Electric range, battery life and charge time

We found that estimate to be rather conservative during our testing in warmer weather in Korea. We covered more than 120 miles over a mixture of roads – including plenty of motorway and stop-start urban work – and averaged a thoroughly respectable 4.1 miles per kWh in mild conditions with the outside temperature hovering around 22 to 23 degrees Celsius. Even if you factor in the PV5’s reduced usable battery capacity of around 67kWh, that’s nearly 275 miles on a full charge. Back in the UK in 10 degrees Celsius weather, we saw 3.3 miles per kWh from the Standard Range model, which equates to 170 miles on a full charge of its 51.5kWh usable capacity.

Despite shunning the EV6’s 800-volt electrical architecture in favour of a more affordable 400V set-up, the PV5 boasts charging speeds of up to 150kW. That’s down on the Buzz’s 200kW peak, but competitive enough among rivals. It means a 10 to 80 per cent top-up should be achievable in around 30 minutes, via the handily placed charge port on the nose of the vehicle. 

Charge at home using a standard 7.4kW wallbox charger, and it’ll take around seven hours to fully recharge the Standard Range version from empty to full, while the Long Range model will take around 10 hours to complete the same charge.

Insurance groups

Car insurance groups for the Kia PV5 are, fortunately, a lot lower than they are for the ID. Buzz. This Kia starts in group 25 (whereas the VW is in group 37), while the top-of-the-range Long Range Plus is in group 30. The ID. Buzz tops out in group 42 – mostly due to that being for the high-performance GTX model.

Tax

The most expensive PV5 is priced at £38,295, meaning it avoids the luxury supplement applicable to cars costing more than the revised £50,000 threshold for EVs, under the expensive car supplement (or luxury car tax). Owners pay £195 per year in VED.

Having zero tailpipe emissions means it has a very low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company car tax bill. It’s currently at three per cent, but it will rise to four per cent for the ‘26 to ’27 tax year, and five per cent from ‘27 to ‘28.

EVs might be subject to an eVED pay-per-mile fee if that comes into force from April 2028 onwards.

Depreciation

While depreciation, in percentage terms, is worse than the equivalent ID. Buzz, the fact that the PV5 costs so much less at the point of purchase means you could save in the long run. Our data specialists suggest the PV5 will retain between 50 and 51 per cent of its value after three years and 36,000 miles, with the strongest RVs apparently for the mid-range PV5 Essential fitted with the bigger of the two batteries. The Buzz betters the Kia’s numbers by around 10 per cent (59-61 per cent depending on specification).

There are two trims to choose from: Essential and Plus, although the latter is available only with the larger of the two batteries. Entry-level Essential models have a twin-screen infotainment system with a built-in reversing camera, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a six-speaker stereo, automatic climate control and LED headlights.

Upgrade to our preferred Plus trim and you’ll add things such as:

• A power tailgate
• Heated front seats and outer rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Wireless phone charging
• Blind spot assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability

All things considered, we’d make the rare recommendation to opt for the range-topping trim.

Interior and dashboard design

The PV5’s interior is best described as functional, but that doesn’t mean it’s totally devoid of design flair. The dash comprises a large 12.9-inch touchscreen and a 7.5-inch driver’s display – the latter nestled behind a quirky two-spoke steering wheel with familiar buttons and a drive-mode control in the centre.

The front seats give a commanding view of the road, but only feature a fold-down armrest on one side, so it can feel as if you’re sitting a little lopsided at times. You can rest your other arm on the top of the door, but it’s not always the most comfortable. 

There are sufficient cubbies and storage spots – including two set into the floor by the driver and front passenger’s feet. We’re not sure what you’ll end up using these bins for, however, because they’re not the most accessible or easy to open.

Materials and build quality

The PV5 doesn’t feel built to a price, but it won’t be winning any awards for its luxury materials or high-end features. That said, while there are scratchy plastics on the dashboard or door tops, it’s no worse than most other van-based people carriers – especially those from Peugeot or Citroen. Indeed, the steering wheel and seats – the areas you’re in constant contact with – are covered in plush materials that feel soft to the touch. Ultimately, the Kia PV5 is a people mover designed to withstand the abuse of family life, and we’re pretty confident it’ll fulfil that brief and then some.

Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo

Somewhat perversely, the infotainment system in the PV5 feels like an upgrade compared with most of the brand’s passenger cars – even the flagship Kia EV9. You don’t get that single panel that runs from behind the steering wheel to the centre of the dash, but the two displays feature crisp graphics with easy-to-read fonts and a reasonably intuitive menu structure. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included, though you’ll need to step up to the Plus trim for wireless phone charging.

“Material quality inside the PV5 is reasonable, if far from exceptional. But it should stand up well to the rigours of family life.” - Richard Ingram, deputy editor    

The PV5 Passenger is unashamedly based on the Cargo version of the van with the same name, so it’s no surprise it gets full marks for practicality. It’s massive inside, whether you’re looking to carry people, luggage or both. The rear-seat compartment is frankly huge, and the boot should swallow anything your family can throw at it.

One small annoyance is that the front windows can’t (or won’t) lower completely, while those in the back are restricted to a small sliding porthole if passengers feel the need for some ventilation. Our car was an early five-seat model, so at this stage we’re unable to offer any verdict on the third row, although we suspect – given the size of the boot – that big kids will be just fine back there. Certainly more so than those forced into the rear of a Peugeot E-5008.

Dimensions and size

At just under 4.7 metres long, the PV5 isn’t as cumbersome as you might expect. It’s more than 300mm shorter than a BMW 5 Series and 17mm stubbier than a Volkswagen ID. Buzz, which should make it easy enough to live with day to day. Indeed, the short bonnet and upright rear end help when manoeuvring – aided by the standard-fit reversing camera.  

Seats and passenger space

Up front, the low window line, cleverly disguised by the black exterior trim, gives a great view out, while in the back, that tall roof and boxy shape once again trump even the mere notion of an SUV when it comes to outright practicality. There is more leg and headroom than a six-foot adult will know what to do with, and the completely flat floor means even those in the middle will be happy. 

It’s a shame that Kia didn’t choose to fit three individual seats. The bench splits and folds 60:40, and only the outer chairs have Isofix mounts. The VW ID. Buzz can be equipped with seven seats, with the outer second row and both third row seats getting Isofix mounting points.

Boot space

Opening the painfully slow electric tailgate reveals a huge, square, open space with a remarkably low load lip that will make hauling heavy or bulky items into the boot a cinch. Total load volume with the second row of seats in place stands at 1,320 litres, measured only to the parcel shelf. Fold those seats and you’ll have something akin to a van (2,300 litres) – albeit with a big step in the floor to account for the rear bench. Just beware that you’ll need to leave plenty of room behind the vehicle when parking, because there’s no separate-opening glass section through which to throw shopping bags or luggage.

Towing

The Kia PV5 is officially rated to tow up to 450kg – 300kg less than an ID. Buzz. That’s probably no bad thing, as hooking a trailer up to something so blocky and bluff-fronted wouldn’t do the 250-odd-mile range any favours whatsoever.

“The Kia PV5 is hands down one of the most practical cars on sale; huge boot, loads of legroom; this MPV majors on versatility.” - Richard Ingram, deputy editor

The Kia PV5 was awarded a four-star out of five rating by safety experts Euro NCAP. That’s on par with a number of other van-based passenger vehicles, but the Volkswagen ID. Buzz managed to get the maximum five-star rating, with higher scores in the adult, vulnerable road user, and safety assistance technology categories.

Every model gets forward collision-avoidance assist, highway driving assist, intelligent speed limit assist and smart cruise control with stop/go. You’ll need to step up to the Plus trim to add rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist and safe-exit warning.

Due to the PV5 being so new, we don’t yet have any data on the vehicle’s reliability – though Kia does tend to have a good reputation for aftersales care, which is backed up by the standard seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. However, it only finished 18th (out of 31 brands) in our 2025 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey.

Overall, the PV5 feels like it’s built to last and should stand the test of time thanks to a selection of hard-wearing materials and a simple electric drivetrain with fewer moving parts compared with combustion-engined models of the past. 

Best buy: Kia PV5 Long Range Plus

Given how cheap the PV5 is to buy, we’d recommend stepping up to the best-equipped model you can afford. We’ve not yet driven the base car with the low-power motor and smaller battery, but given the Long Range version is only £3,000 more and the flashier trim another £2,300 on top, if you can stretch the monthly budget slightly, we would.

Kia PV5 Passenger alternatives

The Kia PV5’s main rivals include van-based MPVs such as the Peugeot Traveller and Citroen SpaceTourer, as well as the altogether more expensive Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Buyers could quite reasonably be cross-shopping with seven-seat SUVs such as the Peugeot E-5008, or even the Hyundai Ioniq 9, too.

Deals on the Kia PV5 and alternatives

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Kia PV5 Passenger pictures

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