The Kia PV5 has been named the 2026 International Van of the Year, marking a historic first victory for Kia and a Korean manufacturer.
Kia's fully-electric PV5 was shortlisted alongside the Volkswagen Crafter and Transporter, Ford E-Transit Courier, E-Transit, and Transit Connect PHEV, MAN TGE, and Farizon SV. The Farizon SV was awarded second place with the Ford E-Transit Courier completing the podium positions.
Launching in Cargo and Passenger versions, the PV5 will be joined in 2026 by new variants, including a Chassis Cab, short-wheelbase Cargo (L1H1 ), and High Roof (L2H2 ). The larger PV7 and PV9 are currently in development.
In Ireland, the PV5 Cargo goes on sale next month and will come as standard with a 71.2kWh long range battery, priced from €33,230 ex-VAT. Based on Kia’s Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S ), the PV5 Cargo offers a claimed range of up to 416km, with DC charging from 10 to 80 per cent in under 30 minutes and a payload capacity of up to 790kg.
Additionally, the PV5 has also already earned a Guinness World Records title for 'the greatest distance travelled by a light-duty battery-powered electric van with maximum payload on a single charge', achieving 693.38km.
