The sides of the load area are uniform in shape with a couple of smaller storage compartments, while the floorboards lift to reveal hidden storage areas under the floor that are big enough to fit charging cables and a tyre repair kit.
Towing
The Kia PV5 is officially rated to tow up to 750kg for the Standard Range and 1,500kg for the Long Range model. That’s better than rear-wheel-drive versions of the ID. Buzz, but a little less than the 1,800kg capacity of a four-wheel-drive ID. Buzz GTX manages.
“I appreciate that Kia has added pieces of fabric trim to the seatbelt buckles so they don��t rattle against the plastic interior when they’re not in use” – Dean Gibson, senior test editor
A four-star Euro NCAP score could be better, but Kia’s warranty is still a big draw for buyers
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The Kia PV5 was awarded a four-star out of five rating by safety experts Euro NCAP. That’s on par with the likes of the Peugeot E-5008, but the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9, and Volkswagen ID. Buzz managed to get the maximum five-star rating.
Every model gets forward-collision-avoidance assist, highway-driving assist, intelligent-speed-limit assist and smart cruise control with stop/go. You’ll need to step up to the Plus trim to add rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist and safe-exit warning.
Due to the PV5 being so new, we don’t yet have any data on the vehicle’s reliability, but it is backed up by the same seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty as the brand’s regular passenger cars. However, the brand only finished 18th (out of 31 brands) in our 2025 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey.
Overall, the PV5 feels like it’s built to last and should stand the test of time, while its simple electric drivetrain with fewer moving parts than a combustion engine will help to reduce running costs.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Four stars out of five (2025) |
| Adult occupant protection | 84% |
| Child occupant protection | 85% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 70% |
| Safety assist | 73% |
Best buy: Kia PV5 Long Range Plus
Given the great value that the PV5 offers, we’d recommend stepping up to the best-equipped model you can afford. We’ve not yet driven the base car with the low-power motor and smaller battery, but given the Long Range version is only £3,000 more, and the flashier trim another £2,300 on top, if you can stretch the monthly budget slightly, we would.
Kia PV5 Passenger alternatives
The Kia PV5’s main rivals include van-based MPVs such as the Peugeot Traveller, Citroen SpaceTourer, and Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric, as well as the altogether more expensive Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Buyers could quite reasonably be cross-shopping with seven-seat SUVs such as the Peugeot E-5008, or even the Hyundai Ioniq 9, too.
Key updates of the Kia PV5 Passenger review
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13 March 2026: Added impressions from our Kia PV5 versus Vauxhall Vivaro Life twin-test.
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18 February 2026: Added impressions of the Standard Range Essential version
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20 January 2026: Review updated to include the £1,500 Band 1 Electric Car Grant discount, UK driving impressions, and the latest Euro NCAP crash test results.
Kia PV5 Passenger pictures
Frequently Asked Questions
You get the same seven-year/100,000-mile warranty on the PV5 as you do on the rest of the Kia line-up. Considering it’s a brand-new model from the ground up in a sector that is new to Kia, it’s impressive that the company is confident enough to keep the warranty as it is.
