Kia shrinks the PV5 — and the price tag in Germany

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Kia is expanding its electric PV5 family, and what used to be a single all-purpose van is turning into a set of versions tailored to different jobs. The Cargo gets a short L1H1 body 4.5 m long, while the PV5 Passenger picks up six- and seven-seat layouts.

The short Cargo is built first and foremost for the city. It’s 20 cm shorter than the longer L2H1 and starts at €36,000, or roughly $42,084. Deliveries begin in the autumn. The load bay holds 4 cubic metres — 0.4 cubic metres less than the long PV5, but the van should be easier to handle in tight courtyards, on narrow streets and during frequent stops.

Loading is supported by a low sill, rear barn doors that swing open to 180 degrees and, as an option, two sliding side doors. For urban delivery fleets this matters more than flashy styling: the driver saves time not on acceleration, but on every approach, load and turnaround.

Another important change is the new 43.3 kWh base battery. Depending on the body, it offers up to 232 or 246 km of range. That’s enough for a courier route if it’s known in advance and there’s overnight charging. For anyone who needs longer legs, the 51.5 and 71.2 kWh packs remain on the table: the larger one promises up to 412 km between charges.

The PV5 Passenger is now interesting not only for families but also for shuttle services. The six-seater uses a 1-2-3 layout, the seven-seater a 2-2-3. Prices start at €40,200, or about $46,994. The electric motor delivers either 122 or 163 hp, the van is almost 4.7 m long and its turning circle is 11 m.

The three-row versions get four Isofix mounting points. The six-seater has 350 litres of luggage room behind the third row, plus 315 litres next to the driver. The seven-seater offers up to 785 litres with the third row folded. For taxis, hotel transfers and corporate transport that kind of layout can matter more than horsepower.

The small print matters too. The options list now includes a 22 kW AC charger, a double front passenger seat, automatic locking as you walk away from the vehicle, and the big-battery versions can now tow up to 1.5 tonnes instead of the previous 750 kg.

The PV5 doesn’t try to be a flashy EV. Its strength lies elsewhere: from a single platform Kia is assembling a city van, a family minibus and a working shuttle. For the commercial segment that’s an important approach, because here practicality, downtime cost and ease of loading quickly matter more than styling and 0–100 times.