A Modular EV Built Around Real Work
The Kia PV5 is the first real-world test of its PBV, or Platform Beyond Vehicle, approach. Instead of a standard van, the PV5 is built as a modular tool. The E-GMP.S skateboard platform and Flexible Body System let Kia swap out different upper bodies on the same electric base. In practice, that means one vehicle can handle a range of jobs, depending on what you need.
Even with all that flexibility, the PV5 keeps a compact footprint. It is actually smaller than the long-wheelbase US-spec ID. Buzz, but the flat floor and short overhangs mean you still get plenty of usable space inside. Power comes from a front-mounted motor with 163 horsepower, and you can choose between a 51.5-kWh or 71.2-kWh battery. The bigger pack is rated for 249 miles. Fast charging, V2L, and over-the-air updates are all included, so it matches what you get from Kia’s other EVs.
Kia has confirmed the PV5 for Korea and Europe, but not for the US. Still, a manufacturer unit was recently spotted in Michigan, which opens the possibility of it appearing in American showrooms down the line.
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Why This Particular Sighting Matters
The PV5 spotted in Ann Arbor by Car and Driverwas a passenger version with manufacturer plates. Automakers often test overseas models in the US, but this one had front and rear side-marker lights. That is a detail required by US regulations, not by most other markets, and it is not something you see on every test vehicle.
That small detail suggests Kia is doing more than just cold-weather or durability testing. It looks like they are checking for compliance, which usually happens when a brand wants to keep its options open. It is not a guarantee that the PV5 will launch here, but it does mean the door is still open.
Kia has talked up its commercial EV plans since CES 2024, showing off everything from the small PV1 to the bigger PV7. The PV5 is the first to actually hit production. It also set a Guinness World Record for range efficiency in its class, which gives Kia another reason to consider bringing it to more markets.
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No Guarantees For Now
Kia is not making any promises. A spokesperson told C&D that testing in the US does not mean there are sales plans, since American roads are often used for development, even for models that never go on sale here. That is important, especially with the extra costs and uncertainty around electric vans in the US market.
If the PV5 does get the green light for the US, it would land in a segment with no direct competitor. The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the closest, but its production pause makes things less clear. GM’s Chevrolet BrightDrop is aimed at fleets, but Chevrolet also ended its production late last year.
The PV5 would fit between those options, offering both lifestyle appeal and real modular utility. For now, seeing it on US roads is more a sign of what could happen than a firm plan.
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