Kia PV5 Electric MPV Launches at £32,995 – Undercuts VW ID.Buzz by £25K

Kia PV5 Passenger MPV: A Game-Changer in Electric Family Transport

In an electrified, affordable and practical world, Kia has just thrown down the gauntlet to the competition. Enter the new Kia PV5 Passenger MPV — an electric people-mover that could change the EV landscape.

Its headline? A starting price of just £32,995, £25,000 cheaper than the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. New KIA PV5 Passenger MPV

That’s enough to get your attention. But what makes the PV5 really interesting is how Kia has packaged that value. This isn’t just a cheap option — it’s a stylish, practical and technologically loaded vehicle aimed at the future of multi-purpose mobility.

A New Face in the MPV Market

Making its debut at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, the PV5 is part of Kia’s new PBV lineup (Platform Beyond Vehicle). The PV5 Passenger is designed for family transport and private hire. There’s a 5-seat configuration as standard, with a 7-seat option coming soon. And it’s not afraid to be different.

With its upright stance, clean LED lighting and geometric lines, the PV5 avoids the MPV clichés. The design, influenced by Kia’s "Opposites United" design language, is futuristic without being weird, functional without being boring.

The Price That Matters

Let’s be real, the electric car market is still affordability challenged. Kia knows this.

The PV5’s £32,995 starting price puts it within reach of a much wider audience than the VW ID.Buzz, which starts at over £58,000 in the UK. That’s a big enough gap to change buying decisions.

And it’s not just about being cheaper. With its clever use of space, decent range and forward thinking design, the PV5 doesn’t feel like a compromise. It feels like an alternative that just happens to cost a lot less.

A Quick Look Inside

Kia hasn’t skimped on tech. The dashboard is dominated by a large integrated display — a 7.5-inch digital cluster paired with a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It has over-the-air updates and Digital Key 2.0 for smartphone-based access and remote control.And it has Kia’s latest safety tech — adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and collision avoidance. For the price, it feels like a modern car.

Storage and practicality? Tick. Flat floor and sliding rear doors make it easy to load up kids, pets or parcels. The PV5 was designed to adapt — and it does.

How Far Will It Go?

Range anxiety is real but Kia has this covered too. The PV5 is expected to have up to 249 miles (WLTP) on a full charge from a 64kWh battery.

There’s fast charging too — reportedly 10% to 80% in 30 minutes. That’s not just for the school run or city work, but longer journeys.

And it’s not just a battery on wheels. The PV5 has Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) tech so it can power laptops, tools or even a kettle. This could be ideal for camping trips, or mobile work, when there is no power source available.

Flexibility and Adaptibility First

Part of the appeal of the PV5 is its adaptability, with Kia is positioning the PV5 as more than just a car. The PV5 is a versatile solution for family needs and commercial transport.

This could appeal to many in the market.

The PV5 sits on a modular platform that can accommodate different body styles. Kia has hinted at other versions — like cargo vans and purpose-built ride-sharing vehicles — coming soon.

It’s an approach that reflects changing attitudes to car ownership and use. More people are looking for one vehicle that can do many things. Kia is ready to answer that call.

The VW ID.Buzz Comparison

You can’t talk about the PV5 without mentioning the ID.Buzz. VW’s stylish, retro EV has been the poster child for electric MPVs — but with a price to match. New KIA PV5 Passenger MPV 2

The Buzz has similar range, retro charm and a nice interior. But at nearly £60k it’s a premium product. The PV5 does 90% of what the Buzz does but for a lot less.

And that’s the key point. The Buzz is desirable. The PV5 is desirable and affordable.

Market Impact and Outlook

Kia has timed it well. As families and businesses go electric, there’s a growing need for practical EVs that don’t break the bank.

By putting the PV5 where it is — modern, flexible and affordable — Kia may have pulled off a masterstroke. It speaks to budget-conscious families, fleet operators, ride-share drivers and tech-savvy early adopters.

The PV5 won’t steal the headlines like the ID.Buzz does but it could do something more powerful: shift volume. Because at under £33k a seven-seat electric MPV with 250 miles range suddenly stops being a niche product and becomes the default choice.

Conclusion

Kia is proving again it’s not happy to play catch up in the EV game. The PV5 isn’t a cheaper version of something else. It’s a new take, built from the ground up to be useful, electric and affordable.

As electric vehicles go mainstream people need options that don’t feel like compromises. The PV5 delivers that in spades. Whether you’re hauling kids to school, running an airport taxi service or just want an EV that makes sense financially and practically — this could be the one to watch.

Published 30/04/2025, written by Mark Griffiths

Sources: