At the Japan Mobility Show 2025, Kia officially unveiled its first electric van, the PV5, a debut that also marks the brand’s entry into the Japanese market. The model is part of the new PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) program and underscores the carmaker’s push to create flexible mobility solutions for the future.

Built on the E-GMP.S platform, the PV5 will be offered in Cargo and Passenger versions with a driving range of up to 528 km under the WLTC cycle. A tight 5.5-meter turning circle should pay dividends in Japan’s narrow neighborhoods. The Passenger variant features a low step-in, a Fold Seating system, and the AddGear option, letting the cabin adapt to different tasks—from everyday transport to time off. The emphasis here is on practical versatility rather than spec-sheet theatrics, which feels exactly right for this segment.

Kia PV5
B. Naumkin

The project is being developed together with the Sojitz Group, with Kia establishing a dedicated subsidiary called Kia PBV Japan. In its first year, the plan calls for eight dealers and one hundred service centers nationwide, along with a charging network—numbers that suggest the ownership experience is getting as much attention as the vehicle itself.

Sales of the PV5 are slated for the first half of 2026, with a larger PV7 expected by 2027. Kia states that the PBV program aims to offer Japan not just electric vehicles but sustainable, multi-purpose solutions for business and society.