Summary
The Kia PV5 Passenger is a van-based all-electric people carrier that first arrived on UK roads in early 2026. The PV5 range also includes Cargo panel van variants.
Joining a slim field of battery-powered people hauliers that provide an alternative to the very competitive SUV category, the Kia PV5 has received an overwhelmingly positive reviewer reception from the British motoring media, highlighted for its cavernous interior space, comfortable driving experience and its affordability when compared to its all-electric rivals.
“It makes the cookie cutter crossovers that dominate our roads look cramped and unimaginative”, says the Top Gear team, “and makes the brilliant Volkswagen ID. Buzz look wildly overpriced.”
Parker’s Alan Taylor-Jones adds that, while the PV5’s driving range is “average” and the people carrier’s interior fit and finish is “functional rather than plush”, the Kia has an “excellent ride, huge boot, and generous equipment levels.”
While there is now an array of UK-based reviews on this model, we are holding off on giving the Kia PV5 Passenger a full Expert Rating score until we are able to collect running cost estimation for the people carrier. Check back soon!
PV5 Passenger highlights
- Cavernous family-friendly interior
- Comfortable and refined driving experience
- Great value-for-money
PV5 Passenger lowlights
- Rather slow acceleration from stationary
- Longer battery range can be found elsewhere
- Rivals are more luxurious inside
Key specifications
Body style: Van-based people carrier
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £32,995
Launched: Winter 2025/26
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The Kia PV5 Passenger is a solid first effort into the van-based people mover market from Kia. The exterior styling is very Total Recall-like and futuristic, while the performance is plentiful and battery range is decent. But it feels a bit spartan and workmanlike inside, and nothing like as appealing as a Volkswagen ID. Buzz. We’re expecting to see some more luxurious versions appearing over the next 12 months, which will be more appealing to family buyers. For now, it feels like a very smooth, quiet, airport taxi.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
The Car Expert
Stuart Masson
“If you’re looking for a spacious SUV but want something really affordable and don’t like to go the obvious route, give the Kia PV5 Passenger a look. It’s got a charm that most modern SUVs can’t touch, and it has all the practicality your family could ever need.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
Darren Cassey
More reviews
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Kia PV5 is a new-age take on the big family car, and far more practical than an SUV.”
Author: Richard Ingram
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“This is a supremely confident first attempt at building an electric van from Kia. It’s so well equipped for the money that it’s hard not to recommend you book a test drive ASAP.”
Author: Tom Roberts
Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: PV5 Passenger
Score: 9 / 10
“Kia wants to be a leader in the electric people-mover space, and with the PV5 they’ve got off to a brilliant start. The design, tech, and interior, are all bang up to the minute and it’s at an amazingly affordable price.”
Author: Ginny Buckley
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s not perfect, but if you’re after an immensely practical electric family wagon that won’t break the bank, then look no further than the Kia PV5 Passenger. We like it a lot.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Kia PV5 Passenger is a spacious, practical electric people hauler that outshines the Citroen e-Berlingo and Volkswagen ID.Buzz in value, comfort, and versatility. Though its driving range is average and the interior is functional rather than plush, its excellent ride, huge boot, and generous equipment levels make it a top choice for families seeking an affordable electric MPV.”
Author: Alan Taylor-Jones
Read review
The Independent
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Passenger version is a full-on electric MPV alternative that costs less than many smaller EVs yet offers genuine five-seat space, loads of kit and a driving experience that’s more refined than some premium SUVs.”
Author: Steve Fowler
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“We’ll leave it to more sensible people to assess how the PV5 fares as a commercial vehicle but as a big family car, it’s compelling: refined, interesting and preposterously spacious. It makes the cookie cutter crossovers that dominate our roads look cramped and unimaginative and makes the brilliant ID. Buzz look wildly overpriced.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 83%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 64%
Safety assist: 65%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of February 2026, the Kia PV5 Passenger has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the PV5 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
As of February 2026, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Kia PV5 Passenger. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of Kia PV5 Passenger, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Kia PV5 Passenger to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the PV5, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Kia PV5 Passenger
| Overall rating | A | 98% |
| New car warranty duration | 7 years |
| New car warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
Kia’s new car warranty is better than average, and better/worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the PV5.
The duration is seven years, with a limit of100,000 miles. In addition to the standard new car warranty, this electric people carrier has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Warranty on a used Kia PV5 Passenger
- If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Kia PV5 Passenger from an official Kia dealership, you will get a minimum one-year warranty included.
- If you are buying a used Kia PV5 Passenger from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
- If you are buying a used Kia PV5 Passenger from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Kia PV5 Passenger
As of February 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Kia PV5 Passenger. However, recall information is updated regularly, so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Kia dealer.
Awards
Significant UK trophies and awards that the Kia PV5 Passenger has received
2026
- Top Gear Awards – Best Family Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at a new or used Kia PV5 Passenger, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën ë-Berlingo | Citroën ë-SpaceTourer | Mercedes-Benz EQV | Nissan e-NV200 Combi | Nissan Townstar | Peugeot e-Rifter | Peugeot e-Traveller | Tesla Model X | Vauxhall Combo Life Electric | Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric | Volkswagen ID. Buzz
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Kia range at The Car Expert
Buy a Kia PV5 Passenger
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Kia PV5 Passenger, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease a Kia PV5 Passenger
If you’re looking to lease a new Kia PV5 Passenger, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carwow. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a Kia PV5 Passenger
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from SelfDrive.
Find out more
Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
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Car subscriptions from Just Vehicle Solutions.
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