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Kia begins big box development
Richard Bosselman
February 20, 2025
The first of a series of different-sized, lookalike electric vans has been shown off - what chance for NZ?
UNBOXING of an electric van Kia has developed for passenger and cargo application has begun, but what plans are held by the national distributor is not being expressed.
So far, the South Korean make has just shown off the external images of the PV5, but more will be known later in the week.
Ostensibly, this is all-electric alternative to the Carnival people carrier, but with a boxier, upright shape.
It is said to be on the radar for release in Australia, a strategy that often allows opportunity for New Zealand.
Although it rarely comments on potential future models, Kia NZ has nonetheless been asked if it has any thoughts about PV5 and if it has potential for this market.
It might well be choosing to study the reception for the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, which is about to release in passenger and cargo styles. Another competitor would be the Ford E-Transit Custom, also incoming.
Kia first unveiled its plans for a range of modular new electric vehicles under the “PBV” banner back in 2022. PBV stands for Platform Beyond Vehicle, and it hints at the modularity underpinning this whole new lineup of vehicles.
The PV5 was previewed by the Concept PV5, revealed 12 months ago at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show in the United States.
The production Kia will debut in full at a exposition called Kia EV Day being in Tarragona, Spain, from February 25.
The Drive.co.au website says a Kia Australia spokesperson had acknowledged interest in this vehicle,but it hasn't been confirmed yet.
PV5 is the first in a family of like-looking vehicles. The smaller PV1 and larger PV7 vans were also which were also shown as concept vehicles at the 2024 CES. A Kia PV3 slotting between PV1 and PV5 is also expected; with all likely to be in production with the next 18 months.
Those design studies pointed at a variety of purposes, such as a taxi, accessible MPV and even just a tall panel van.
Kia says the PV5 will be offered in "several configurations to meet a wide range of usage needs", with additional variants – including specialised conversion options – to appear at its EV Day later this month.
The Kia is similar in appearance to the Staria van from sister make Hyundai, which is also expected to reveal in electric form soon. presently Staria sells here as a diesel vehicle.
Kia has not provided any technical details for the PV5 ahead of its full reveal, but it is expected to use a modified version of the front-wheel-drive E-GMP electric-car platform found in the EV3 and EV5 SUVs, with a 400-volt electrical architecture.
The brand's 'Opposites United' design language delivers with headlights integrated into the lower grille, plastic body cladding, and off-centre logos. The passenger-carrying version has a lift-up tailgate, while the cargo version has side-opening barn doors and double doors at the back.
Karim Habib, Head of Kia Global Design, said: “While the PV5 is offered in three different body styles to provide innovative solutions for a diverse range of customer needs, they all embody the same consistent design values inspired by Kia’s design philosophy, ‘Opposites United’. Each model confidently expresses a solid, bold, futuristic character and a highly capable attitude.”
Commentators have pointed to how the Cargo and Passenger variants share a bold front end with a black section under the windscreen making it look larger than it is.
