Kia PV5 Passenger Review 2026

You won’t happen upon many car reviews that reference Monty Python’s Flying Circus, yet it feels entirely justified to say ‘and now for something completely different’ when introducing the Kia PV5 Passenger.

We don’t usually devote many words on HonestJohn.co.uk to any car’s styling, primarily because whether or not it appeals to any of us individually is purely subjective. What we can say objectively is that this battery-powered, van-derived MPV looks radically different from anything else of that ilk and for that we applaud Kia’s boldness.

There’s a perpendicularity about the Kia PV5 Passenger that suggests it’s driven straight out of Minecraft, with a sheer tail and similarly vertical sides. They’re great for promoting interior space, which will be arguably even more useful for the PV5 Cargo panel van versions.

Its nose is sloped for aerodynamic reasons, although it’s shorter and stubbier than all of its rivals barring the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. Yet while the VW oozes retro charm, the PV5 Passenger’s appeal is ultra-modern, brazenly industrial and highly functional.

Most apparent when viewed from the side, the Kia appears to be layered – dark grey unpainted plastic side sills and wheel arches form the base, with a wide band of smooth, body-coloured above, itself topped with a glossy black level that draws rearwards from the bonnet and ‘hides’ the windows, the whole ensemble then capped by a body-coloured roof.

While the result means the PV5 Passenger is strikingly different from anything else, including the brand’s existing models, it nevertheless doesn’t look out of place next to its highly-related electric cars from the compact Kia EV3 to the gargantuan Kia EV9.

While the Kia PV5 Passenger’s front doors open conventionally, the rear pair slide as per the usual arrangement on other van-derived MPVs, their runners skilfully obscured by that gloss black layer, while the tailgate to access the boot is top-hinged as on a typical estate or SUV.

At 4695mm long PV5 Passenger models sold in the UK will have the longer of the two bodywork options available – it’s unlikely that the shorter version will make it to these shores. That means that in standard five-seater guise the Kia’s boot capacity is 1320 litres, expanding to 2300 litres once the 60:40 split-folding second row bench is tumbled over.

What may be a hindrance to some is the PV5 Passenger’s loftiness. Kia quotes an overall height of 1915mm – albeit 22mm lower than the ID.Buzz – which may well prevent it from accessing low-ceilinged multi-storey car parks. If you regularly use one with a height limit, ensure you’re aware of what it is before placing an order.

For dimensional context, as well as counting the shorter, five-seater version of the aforementioned Volkswagen as a rival, the Kia is closer in overall length to the smaller Stellantis van-based MPVs, such as the XL-bodied Citroen e-Berlingo and its clones – such as the Toyota Proace City Verso Electric – than it is to the larger ranges that include Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric. Also note that XL-length e-Berlingos et al have seven seats as standard.

Kia buyers requiring seven seats will have to wait around six months longer for those additional pews as the first PV5s to the UK will be five-seaters with a three-person bench seat in the back row.

Kia PV5 Passenger: Range and charging times

There are two fully electrical drive systems to choose from, both powering the front wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission.

Most affordable of the pair is the Standard Range version which partners a 51.5kWh battery pack with a 122PS motor that produces 250Nm of torque for a 0-62mph acceleration time of 12.8 seconds. All Kia PV5 Passenger models have an electronically restricted top speed of 84mph.

Propelling the 71.2kWh Long Range PV5 Passenger is a 163PS motor although there’s no increase in torque to complement the improved power output. Regardless, the extra horses shave the 0-62mph benchmark down to 10.7 seconds.

Using the WLTP Combined cycle metric that all car manufacturers are legally obliged to quote, the Standard Range Kia PV5 Passenger has a provisional range of 179 miles, the Long Range alternative claiming 249 miles.

When you need to recharge you’ll find the PV5 Passenger’s charge port is centrally mounted in its nose. Hooked-up to a 7kW AC domestic wallbox a 10%-100% recharge for the Standard Range will require up to seven hours, while the Long Range will need up to three hours more for the same level of replenishment. Interestingly, Kia quotes less than 30 minutes for both battery sizes for a 10%-80% recharge using a 150kW DC connection.

Keep this page bookmarked to read our forthcoming full and comprehensive Kia PV5 Passenger review in the months ahead.

There are two battery and motor combos to choose from. Most affordable of the pair is the Standard Range version which partners a 51.5kWh battery pack with a 122PS motor that produces 250Nm of torque for a 0-62mph acceleration time of 12.8 seconds. All Kia PV5 Passenger models have an electronically restricted top speed of 84mph.

Propelling the 71.2kWh Long Range PV5 Passenger is a 163PS motor although there’s no increase in torque to complement the improved power output. Regardless, the extra horses shave the 0-62mph benchmark down to 10.7 seconds.

The Kia PV5 hasn't yet been tested by independent safety organisation Euro NCAP. It's not short of standard safety information, however, with automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist included on all models, as well as adaptive cruise conbrol and an intelligent speed limiter.

Upgrading to the Plus trimi also gets you Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance and Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance systems, as well as a safe exit warning feature. There are Isofix child-seat mounting points on the outer rear seats of the five-seat model.

The PV5 Passenger Standard Range has a braked towing capacity of 750kg, but the Long Range Model doubles that to 1500kg, so that's the one to go for if you want to haul a trailer or caravan.

There are storage trays under both front seats

Kia quotes the luggage capacity behind the second row of seats as 1330 litres, expanding to a massive 3615 litres with the second row folded flat. There's no official measurement yet of how much space there is with all seats in place.

The back seats fold in a 60:40 split, and dive too WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

All models get a 7.5-inch driver display screen and a 12.9-inch touchscreen in the centre of dashboard which includes navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and the system features Over-The-Air (OTA) functionality for system updates. You also get seven years of Kia Connect Services for free, which includes live navigaion info and access to the car's systems through an app.

Pre-orders for the Kia PV5 Passenger opened in May 2025. Prices start at £32,995 for the Standard Range Essential, rising to £35,995 if you want the Long Range. The top-spec Plus, which comes only in Long Range form, costs from £38,295.

This means that all versions undercut rival cars by a considerable margin. For example, the VW ID.Buzz starts at £60,000, and even more cost-conscious competitors struggle to keep up. The Peugeot E-Traveller starts at £35,490 even after the discount afforded by the government's Electric Car Grant and the Citroen e-SpaceTourer starts at £36,995.

Charging costs aside, the Kia PV5 Standard Range sits in insurance group 25 of 50, while the Long Range Essential sits in group 29 and the Plus in group 30. This is below the ID.Buzz, and means that premiums on the PV5 shouldn't be too punchy.

The service interval is every two years or 20,000 miles, whichever comes sooner – another cost saving over a combustion model, which would likely need looking at every year.

As all versions of the PV5 come in under £40,000, you'll avoid the expensive car supplement when it comes to Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax). That means you'll pay the flat rate of £195 a year.

All versions of the PV5 will come with the additional reassurance of Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, which is better than almost all other brands.

The Kia PV5 Passenger comes in two trim levels – Essential and Plus.

Both will give you a choice of colours – White Pearl is standard, while Premium paint hues, costing an extra £750, are Midnight Black, Cityscape Green, Steel Grey, Mint Green, Lakehouse Grey and Frost Blue.

Opt for the Kia PV5 Passenger Essential and you'll get:

• 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers
• LED headlights, daytime running lights and rear lights
• Electrically adjustable heated door mirrors
• Manual front-seat adjustment
• Automatic air conditioning
• Start/stop button with smart entry
• Six-speaker sound system
• Two USB-C charge ports
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera

Upgrade to the Kia PV5 Passenger Plus and, on top of the above features of the Essential, you'll find:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Flush windows
• Electric folding mirrors
• Heated front and outer rear seats
• Electric front-seat adjustment
• Heated steering wheel
• Cargo screen
• Power boot lid
• Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability
• Three-pin power socket in cargo area
• Wireless phone charger
• Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance system
• Blind-spot collision avoidance system
• Safe exit warning system
• Optional heat pump