Kia PV5: up-close and personal

The Kia PV5 has been doing the rounds. The latest stop on its journey was the 2024 Paris Motor Show, and we had a chance to take a closer look.

The PV5 represents the first entry from Kia’s futuristic PBV line-up — alongside the larger PV7 and smaller PV1 — spearheading the South Korean manufacturer’s plan to create an interconnected utility vehicle ecosystem of the future. Following the paparazzi-style spy pictures, showing the electric MPV wrapped in view-obscuring fabric, we enjoyed an up-close look at the PV5 during the Paris Motor Show.

The PV5 aims to be a mid-sized electric van, acting as a blank canvas to which adaptable modules can be applied to suit business’ and individuals’ needs: ‘optimized for major domains such as hailing, delivery, and utilities’. There are also cargo focused high-roof and chassis cab variants in the pipeline, but the PV5 showcased was a passenger van, taking the form of a taxi in front of the Paris crowds.

All things in moderation

As far as prototype EV design goes, we reckon the PV5 is actually a bit of a looker, and the intrigue shown by gazing onlookers in Paris seems to confirm this theory. The boxy silhouette is nothing too radical, managing not to detract from the van’s traditional workhorse-like intentions, while being broken up by some tasteful contemporary features. 

The two-tone panda-esque colour scheme — which we imagine will be optional on the final model — pleasantly offsets against the attention-grabbing digital display boards set into the snub-nosed front grille area, and beneath the expansive rear window. Aside from greeting and thanking the crowd, these screens displayed more functional messages including passenger counts, weather updates, charge levels, and loading updates — a touch gimmicky, but there’s potential there.

The front headlights follow the smooth yet angular detailing, which is also satisfyingly replicated around the wheel arches, and above the handles which lay flush to their doors. The wheel design is also a plus (literally), housing a geometric cross pattern which fits cohesively into the overall look. Now, we’ve just to keep our fingers crossed that these features make it to the production model.

Basic luxuries

The passenger focused interior surprised even us by joining the luxury sedans and SUVs as one of our top vehicle interiors at the Paris Motor Show. Yes, it’s very minimalist, but this stripped-back, linear, and clean aesthetic somehow manages to pull off a sense of classiness — an uphill battle considering the amount of plastic on show.

Again, practicality is infused throughout. Surfaces appear durable, uncomplicated, and easy to clean, with no awkward cubbies or gaps for passengers to treat as black holes for losing phones or wallets in — a taxi driver’s delight in other words. 

Despite this, it still looks comfortable. There’s some mildly moody lighting, combined with an airy and open feel thanks to the glass roof elements and lack of divider between front and rear doors, creating an agreeable travel environment for those in the back. Various 5- and 6-seater layouts have been promised for the PV5, but we were particularly impressed by the accessible format showcased in Paris, with the adaptability to accommodate wheelchair users on full display.

Set to arrive in 2025, we’ll be sure to keep tabs on Kia’s PBV project as details and showcases continue to drip though. But how do you think Kia’s plan to revolutionise the electric van market is shaping up so far?

Hero image credit: Blackcircles.com