Kia on Wednesday previewed the exterior design of its PV5 electric van that’s expected to start production later this year.
The automaker showed basic passenger and cargo versions of the PV5, with other versions as well as conversion possibilities to be detailed at the 2025 Kia EV Day event in Tarragona, Spain, on Feb. 24. Kia also plans the full reveal of its EV4 sedan and hatchback at that event.
Kia PV5
The midsize PV5 is one of several flexible electric vans designed for various commercial applications that Kia calls its Platform Beyond Vehicles (PBV). They were previewed by concepts at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and much of the styling of those concepts seems to have carried over to the production PV5 variants.
Both the passenger and cargo versions of the PV5 feature the same distinctive headlights and cab-forward profile as the concepts, plus angular wheel arches with a bit of SUV-like cladding. Kia is saving the interiors for next week’s EV Day, where it will also discuss other potential versions, perhaps including a production version of the PV5 WKNDR camper van concept shown at the 2024 SEMA show.
Kia PV5
If the engineering hews as closely to the concepts as the design, the PV5 will differ significantly from current EVs. There was no mention of a skateboard platform when the concepts were revealed, but instead interchangeable upper bodies, secured to the chassis via magnetic couplings, that allow the same vehicle to serve different roles.
Kia has set up a dedicated factory for its PBV business that’s due to start production in South Korea later this year, and has confirmed a market launch for that country and Europe. Last November, Kia America vice president for marketing Russell Wager told Green Car Reports that the automaker was still evaluating the PV5 for the U.S.
