2026 Kia PV5 Preview and First Drive: New EV Cargo Van Focuses on Flexibility and Practicality

Electric cargo vans make a ton of sense for so many businesses, big or small, and Kia is hoping to make an impact in this segment with its brand new 2026 Kia PV5. The new model is a next-generation electric cargo van built with flexibility and practicality in mind.

Although its timing is unfortunate — arriving just as electric vehicle (EV) interest subsides in Canada — the Kia joins the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter and the Chevrolet BrightDrop (which, the brand recently announced, has fallen short of sales projections) in the small segment of electric cargo vans sold in Canada that could have big potential if the conditions were better. Both of its competitors are priced close to the $100,000 mark, however, so Kia has an opportunity to reach a more cost-sensitive consumer if the PV5’s price is right.

What’s the PV5 Platform Capable Of?

Building on the automaker’s successful Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which is used in vehicles like the Kia EV9 and EV6, the PV5’s Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S) also uses a skateboard chassis, keeping the weight close to the ground and the cargo area open. It features a reconfigurable body that enables modular components to be easily tacked on like LEGO blocks. As a result, the platform can be used for cargo vans, passenger vans, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, or chassis cabs.

Meanwhile, conversion kits can turn it into a camper, freezer box, drop-side van, and more. A flexible storage platform in the cargo area offers the versatility of adjustable storage zones and accessories allow users to create bespoke solutions that cater to their business. In Canada, the PV5 will only be available as a cargo van (it will be marketed as a passenger van in other markets), with standard, long, high-roof, and walk-through versions available. A two-seat layout is standard, and a three-seat version is optional. Maximum cargo capacity is a giant 5,100 litres, and the PV5 has a low cargo load height of 41.9 cm.

A 71.2-kWh battery powers a 120-kW (161 hp) electric motor on the front axle for a system output of 184 lb-ft of torque. Range is an estimated 416 km on the European testing system, but you should expect less range once it’s tested under Natural Resources Canada’s more stringent standards and when it’s loaded up with cargo.

We drove the PV5 in Korea ahead of arrival in Canada and, with an empty cargo area, 184 lb-ft of torque was enough to get up to speed and around slower traffic confidently. We hope it still feels as competent when loaded up with cargo.

Happily, the best features from passenger vehicles like the EV9 can also be found in the PV5: namely, vehicle-to-load (V2L) bidirectional charging and the ability to DC fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent in half an hour. In Canada, the van will ship with a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) port and an 11-kW onboard charger, with a 22-kW option available later. The charging port is located on the front of the vehicle for easy access and parking.

The PV5 uses a Google/Android-based infotainment system, ensuring increased usability for business apps and even more potential for customization.

Success Lies in the Details

The PV5’s platform and small footprint help it feel like an electric crossover from behind the wheel, so it’s very manageable and composed. The skateboard battery pack helps keep the centre of gravity low, which makes it feel composed even when empty and allows it to handle corners with minimal body roll. Drivers can adjust the strength of the regenerative braking using paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Large windows, thin pillars, a low beltline, and a tall, upright seating position provide excellent forward visibility. Meanwhile, big side mirrors, a clear reverse camera, and a 360-degree top-down camera make it easy to park even though it has no rearview mirror.

Storage cubbies are everywhere in the cabin to help keep clutter organized — there’s a compartment in the dashboard ahead of the steering wheel with a USB charging port, and there are places to store things in both the driver and passenger-side footwells, in three different parts of the doors, between the two seats, and in the centre console.

Wireless phone charging and 100-watt fast-charging USB-C ports ensure your devices stay powered. The Google-based infotainment system is easy to operate, but the lack of physical buttons might make it trickier for people who work with gloves to complete simple tasks like adjusting the climate control.

The interior is equipped with sustainable materials thst feel durable and easy to clean.

Why PBV?

The PV5 was designed from the ground up as the first vehicle in Kia’s global “Platform Beyond Vehicle” (PBV) strategy. The plan is anchored around three main principles: compelling product that meets consumers where they need it, flexible and efficient manufacturing, and software that allows better usability and flexibility.

The strategy is part of the wider Hyundai Motor Group’s (which includes Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis) ambitions to make South Korea one of the top three global EV manufacturers by 2030. One big investment into this goal is the freshly operational EVO manufacturing plant in Hwaseong, South Korea, dedicated to building electric PBV models. Currently, a new PV5 rolls off the line every four minutes, and the plant is planning to produce 150,000 units in the first full year of operations. The plant is a low-carbon facility that focuses on automation and modularity to streamline the manufacturing process.

The PBV strategy starts with the PV5, but it will expand in the future with a larger PV7 and a smaller PV1. The modularity of the dedicated platform, as well as in the manufacturing process, allows for efficient use in different vehicles.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Kia PV5 is a bold new step forward for the Korean automaker. A small, electric delivery van just makes so much sense as a business-focused solution, and if the price is compelling enough to entice business owners to go electric instead of relying on an internal-combustion fleet, it would go a long way to making a real impact on reducing carbon emissions.