Kia PV5 Strengthens Electric Passenger Mobility Line-Up
Kia has revealed the fourth member of its growing range of dedicated electric models with the unveiling of its biggest offering yet, the Kia PV5.
Revealed at the 2025 Kia EV Day, held in the Spanish city of Tarragona, the Kia PV5 is described as a mid-sized Car Derived Van (CDV) and is the first model to debut under the firm’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy aimed specifically at the business and mobility sectors.
It joins the acclaimed Kia EV3, Kia EV6 and Kia EV9 in the Korean manufacturer's purpose-built electric car range.
Will The Kia PV5 Make The Ideal Taxi?
In addition to the commercial-centric Cargo and Chassis Cab, the Kia PV5 Passenger represents a large seven-seat electric car engineered for providing versatile transport on a frugal, cost-effective electric platform, attributes that will make it attractive for electric taxi ownership.
Indeed, Kia specifically says it has ‘developed the PV5 with ride-hailing cases in mind’.
The PV5 features a three-row seat configuration, which can be optimised for luggage or camping scenarios.
Created as a rival for the Ford Tourneo Custom and Renault Trafic, the Kia PV5 arrives as a zero-emissions taxi alternative while being comparable in terms of interior room and practical touches.
Critically, as a model developed as an EV from the outset, it’s an approach that allows for fewer compromises associated with electric transportation, such as heavier weight, limited range and a trade-off in packaging.
Kia PV5: Specifications & Interior Highlights
Passenger-level amenities include multiple seating layouts, including a full complement of seven seats or five-seats after using the fold-and-dive stowaway option. The PV5 even comes with a 1-2-3 seat layout, with the space to the left of the driver serving as a multi-storage and luggage area.
Behind the wheel, the Kia PV5 features a minimalist design approach with a large 7-inch instrument cluster and 12.9-inch navigation screen handling most of the controls and functionality. Other features include cup holders in the floor console, coat hooks, luggage storage nets, USB ports for passengers, heated seats for passengers and charging pads for phones.
The Kia PV5 Passenger boasts a competitive range of 400km (249 miles) from the largest 71kWh version of its two battery size options. A 51.5kWh option will also be available.
Kia PV5: Developed With Taxi Drivers In Mind
Kia says it worked closely with global partners, among them Uber, to identify particularly ‘pain points’ for taxi drivers and work to eradicate them in the development of the PV5.
It means the PV5 is intended to serve multiple use cases for riders and should be available for multiple platforms upon launch.
Moreover, Kia has developed a WAV (Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle version featuring a side entry designed to allow both general passengers and wheelchair users to board via the same access point.
By accessing directly from the kerbside via a quick-use ramp that supports loads of up to 300kg – rather than from the rear – the PV5 WAV offers improved safety and convenience, while the positioning of the wheelchair in the location of the second row of seats (with any other passengers seated on the third row) allows for better forward visibility and stability.