Good News for MPV Fans as Kia Launches the 7-Seater PV5
True MPVs are in such short supply but were once in great demand. Now, large SUVs have become the preferred 7-seat option for fashion conscious families, but they do miss out on the versatility that an MPV can offer. And Kia can now offer a true 7-seat MPV with space and versatility in abundance with the PV5 Passenger 7-Seat.
So, what does a modern day, all-electric, 7-seat MPV have to offer these days?
Apart from the three rows of seating with generous legroom and outstanding comfort for all occupants, the MPV offers a low step-in height of 399 mm and sliding sliding doors providing easy access to board the PV5 as well as easy access to the 3rd row, which is point of contention with SUV’s. The struggle can be real.
But, to ensure maximum flexibility KIA has given it an unusual 2-2-3 seating configuration with the first two rows getting Captains chairs and the rearmost row has the three seater bench seat. In doing so, accessing the 3rd row is super easy with the middle row providing so much space and versatility with the seats, not just with floor space, but head height and a generous boxy width.
It maybe an unusual seating configuration, but it makes absolute sense doing it this way, too.
Space in the boot is very useful with 318 litres of cargo space with the rear bench upright and up to 785 litres with the third-row seats folded.
Being on bespoke EV architecture the floor is completely flat throughout thanks to the E-GMP.S platform. This adds to the actual space and sense of space offered, something that Jim was enamoured by in his review.
The PV5 7-seat is only available with the Long Range 71.2 kWh battery which offers more than 242 miles of range, pending WLTP homologation, But it can charge from 10-80% in under 30 minutes at a 150 kW rapid charger. There’s no 800v architecture in the PV5 unfortunately, so charging speeds are average, but given its a family car, stopping is not going to be a quick affair with family onboard.
The charging port is mounted at the front of the car so not to be obscured by the sliding rear doors, but the additional benefit is that charging at any Rapid charger should be made simple by driving into a charging bay. And that also means it will be accessible at Tesla Superchargers.
The Kia Charge scheme offers customers access to over 74,000 charge points across the UK, and more than one million across 27 European countries, which should make refuelling the PV5 simple and hassle free.
In other good news, not only is there a new Elite trim level added for those looking at posh spec cars only, but Kia has also added Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) on ‘Plus’ and ‘Elite’ grades, allowing the PV5 to power external devices via an internal socket or external adapter socket.
UK Pricing
Pricing for the PV5 Passenger in the UK now starts from £33,195 on-the-road, for the Passenger 5-seat ‘Essential’ with Standard Range 51.5kWh battery. In addition, all grades of the PV5 Passenger 5-seat are eligible for the Band 2 Government Electric Car Grant (ECG), taking £1,500 off the on-the-road cost. Kia will announce any future ECG applicable to the Passenger 7-seat in due course.
PV5 Passenger 5-seat
Essential SR 51.5 kWh - 183 miles: £31,695 OTR
Essential LR 71.2 kWh - 256 miles: £34,695 OTR
Plus LR HP 71.2 kWh - 256 miles: £37,975 OTR
Elite LR HP 71.2 kWh - 256 miles: £39,675 OTR
PV5 Passenger 7-seat
Essential LR HP 71.2 kWh - 242 miles (est): £36,995 OTR
Plus LR HP 71.2 kWh - 242 miles (est): £40,275 OTR
Elite LR HP 71.2 kWh - 242 miles (est): £41,975 OTR
Order books for the MY27 PV5 Passenger, including new 7-seat and ‘Elite grade’, open Monday 8 June across the UK. First customer deliveries are expected from October.
Every PV5 comes with Kia’s industry-leading seven-year/100,000-mile warranty (eight years for the high-voltage battery pack).
For more information on the KIA PV5, head over to YouTube for a watch of Jim’s detailed review.
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb .