Kia PV5 Passenger Review 2025

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 the 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, although it’s not yet confirmed how the seating configuration will be arranged for UK market versions. In other regions the seven-seater Kia PV5 Passenger has a three-person bench seat in the back row with an offset two-seater version in the middle, allowing easy entry and exit without those in the middle being inconvenienced.

That fuss-free exterior style continues inside, most obviously with the PV5 Passenger’s dashboard. Simple, straight lines dominate, punctuated with a 7.5-inch driver’s display screen and a central 12.9-inch touchscreen being the command centre for the infotainment system. While we’re pleased to note there’s a proliferation of physical buttons and switches on the dash and steering wheel, it would appear that the climate control functionality is all touchscreen-accessed. Shame.

At this stage, many of the Kia PV5 Passenger’s technical characteristics are still to be homologated, so there may be some tweaking to the following data points in the months ahead. Provisionally we can state that there will be two fully electrical drive systems offered, 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.

Two specification levels will be available for the Kia PV5 Passenger although the entry-level Essential will only be paired with the Standard Range battery, while the Plus can be had with either. All PV5s are fitted with full LED exterior lights, dark-tinted rear privacy glass, electric front windows, climate control, keyless entry and starting, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, front and rear parking sensors plus a reversing camera.

You’ll need to go for the PV5 Passenger Plus if you’d like your 16-inch wheels to be alloy rather than steel, while it also comes with other niceties including electrically adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an electrically operated tailgate, a wireless smartphone charging pad and a vehicle-to-load (V2L) adaptor that enables you to power external electrical devices using the Kia’s battery as a power source.

Pre-orders for the Kia PV5 Passenger opened in May 2025 ahead of deliveries commencing before the end of the year. Prices start at £32,995 for the Standard Range essential, although how much extra the Long Range battery or Plus specification cost has yet to be confirmed. All versions will come with the additional reassurance of Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.

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