Is the Kia PV5 a serious competitor to the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the long-awaited replacement for the Touran?
Although SUVs have almost completely replaced classic family MPVs in recent years, many still remember them. Volkswagen Touran. A practical, spacious and reliable car, it was synonymous with the family vehicle until Volkswagen withdrew it from its range without a real successor. Since then, we have been left without a real alternative. Until Kia introduced the PV5 – a vehicle that promises everything we were missing and more. It is indeed a long-awaited replacement, which will also become a serious competitor Volkswagen ID. Buzz?
Kia PV5 – a real platform that is among the best on the market
Kia PV5 is not just another electric van. It is a vehicle built on the new PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) platform, which means it allows for a wide range of customization and modularity. It will be available in several versions – as a passenger model for families, a delivery vehicle for business people and even adventure electric camper. The first images reveal two versions: the PV5 Passenger and the PV5 Cargo. The passenger version has a sleeker silhouette, more glass and a liftgate, while the delivery version is more square and robust, with double-hinged doors for easier loading. In both cases, it is a futuristic-looking van that combines a minimalist aesthetic with interesting LED lighting accents and robust bumpers.
Because the PV5 is based on a proven electric platform E-GMP, which is also used by models Kia EV6, EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, we can expect good technical specifications. According to initial information, the vehicle will have a battery with a capacity of around 77.4 kWh, which will provide up to 400 kilometers of range. Thanks to the advanced 800-volt architecture, it will be possible to quickly charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 20 minutes, which means that the PV5 will be perfectly adapted to longer trips. Customers will be able to choose between rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions, and the power is expected to be between 200 and 300 hp, depending on the version. If Kia does indeed also offer a dual-motor version with all-wheel drive, this will be one of the most versatile electric vehicles on the market.
Multiple versions – interesting modularity concepts – Kia PV5
One of the most exciting aspects of the PV5 is its off-road capabilities. At last year's Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia unveiled the PV5 Wkndr concept, which hinted at a special version with off-road tires, a raised chassis, solar panels on the roof, and a modular interior that allows the vehicle to be converted from a passenger to a sleeping configuration. If this concept actually goes into production, Kia will be the first brand to offer a true electric camper with off-road capabilities.
Of course, this raises the question of how the Kia PV5 will fare against Volkswagen's ID. Buzz. Although the Buzz has become synonymous with the modern electric van in recent years, it has a few key drawbacks. One of the biggest is the price - the base model in Europe costs more than 65,000 euros, making it less accessible to average buyers. In addition, its real-world range is only around 350 kilometers, which is less than the PV5. The biggest difference, however, is modularity - the ID. Buzz is only available in one length and shape, while Kia promises a flexible platform that will allow for different configurations depending on the needs of users. If the Kia PV5 does indeed come to market at an expected base price of around 50,000 euros, it will become one of the most attractive alternatives in this segment.
Will it come to the EU?
The only question that remains is whether it will Kia PV5 available in Europe at all. At the moment, Kia has not officially confirmed a European version, but given that demand for electric vans is on the rise and that Volkswagen IDThe Buzz has virtually no real competition, and it would be a missed opportunity if the Koreans decided to offer the vehicle only in the Asian and American markets. There is a high probability that Kia will announce plans for a European version as early as next year, as the PV5 could fill the gap left by the end of the Touran.
The Kia PV5 promises a lot. If it lives up to its expectations and hits European roads, it will be one of the hottest new cars of next year. Volkswagen ID. Buzz, watch out – serious competition is on the way!
