Review: Kia PV5

If you’ve ever thought the ID.Buzz was the vehicle for you but baulked at the high price, we might just have come across a suitable alternative.

Kia has taken its light commercial van, reworked it for those of us who like a bit more room for the family and launched the PV5 Passenger.

Like Buzz, it’s got a pretty distinctive look and features a smooth and clean face, with a centre-mounted charging port to simplify the charging process

- but it comes with a price tag that’s over £23,000 cheaper.

Not a saving you can realistically argue against when you consider you’re still getting a vehicle that will double up for personal and business use.

PV5 Passenger was initially offered in two trim levels in the UK: Essential and Plus, and with the choice of a standard-range 51.5kWh or the long-range 71.2kWh battery pack as tested here in the Plus. Both are very well equipped.

It comes in a five-seat, 2-3-0 layout with the first and second rows for seating, while the third is a spacious luggage area, with a bottom luggage tray and side storage trays.

A New Elite grade was added to the PV5 Passenger UK line-up earlier this year with a seven-seat 2-2-3 configuration. It offers 350 litres of rear cargo space rising to 785 litres with the third-row of seats folded.

Plus is expected to be the best seller, offering the longest range from a single charge and a generous level of specification for transporting five people in comfort.

With the 71.2 kWh battery pack it’s powered by a front-mounted electric motor producing 120kW (160bhp) and 250Nm torque, driving the front wheels and getting you to 62mph in 10.6 seconds.

All variants are capable of a top speed of 84mph and benefit from fast charging capability, so when connected to a 150kW charging point the battery can be topped up from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes.

The driver’s view is similar to most of Kia’s other EV offerings: a 7in instrument cluster is backed up by a large 12.9in central navigation screen. And all round visibility is good, aided by large door glass and big mirrors, and the legroom for the second row of seats is commendable, where the outer seats are heated and there are easily accessible USB ports for those who need them.

The interior has more storage spaces than you could possibly need - your problem might be remembering where you’ve put your things.

PV5 also introduces a dedicated pet mode, which displays a message on the infotainment screen to let passers-by know that the owner’s pet is both happy and comfortable. It can be used to maintain climate settings should you need to leave your dog in the vehicle alone for short periods of time.

Family friendly. Pet friendly. All bases covered.

Kia PV5 Passenger Plus

Price: £36,795 (with government grant)

Engine: 71.2kWh Li-on polymer battery

Power: 160bhp

Torque: 184lb/ft

Transmission: single speed

Top speed: 84mph

0-62mph: 10.6 seconds

Range: 256 miles

CO2 emissions: 0g/km