Kia EV2/EV4 & PV5: Korea accelerates with people's BEV and electric vans

The ambitious Hyundai sister Kia continues to maintain a high pace and outlined the brand's near and medium-term future at the EV Day in Tarragona, Spain. The most tangible results of the numerous, purely all-electric developments are the EV4, which comes as a fastback and hatchback starting at 37,000 euros, the compact city car EV2, which is expected to make a more popular push from 2026 in the class starting at 30,000 euros, and the PV5, which aims to lead a portfolio of no less than five models of light commercial vehicles at a bargain price starting at 35,000 euros gross (approximately 30,000 euros net). While the car sector is moving in a market that is not growing, but rather stagnating, which the brand aims to turn towards electric with the new latest-technology models, stronger growth is mainly expected from the PBVs. The pioneer, PV5, is already directly targeting the ID. Buzz but is much cheaper. More on that later. 

The new cars are meant to "democratize" e-mobility

Speaking of "people's cars": This category also includes the EV4, which is positioned above the rapidly launched EV3, except in electro-slow Germany, and below the high-tech EV6 as well as the compact SUV EV5, which has already been introduced in selected markets and offers a fair price starting at the aforementioned 37,000 euros for what is offered: A so-called average electric car for the “Early Majority” in marketing terms. For this price, the grounded customer receives either a stylish but not so practical sedan with a narrow trunk hatch in the Tesla Model 3 format, i.e., a fastback sedan, or a "hatchback," meaning a hatchback with a large tailgate and plenty of trunk space behind it. 

The trimming here has mainly been done on the EV base, which makes do with 400 volts, but besides the V2L offered right from the start, it is also supposed to be V2X-capable from 2026, meaning it can serve as grid storage. However, this should suffice for most everyday needs and keep the price under control. For instance, the charging boost from 10 to 80 percent for the large 81-kWh battery is also to be achieved in half an hour, accordingly shorter for the smaller battery.

Travel-friendly: Up to 630 kilometers range

The manufacturer claims to have increased the range to 630 kilometers. A further developed regenerative brake "iPedal 3.0" is also supposed to contribute to this, offering more comfort and energy recuperation. The familiar 150-kW electric motor, quick enough to accelerate to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, takes care of the propulsion at the front axle. From the chassis and comfort, one can expect the usual qualities from Kia.

Skillful Mix of Optics and Haptics

The interior offers an appealing mix of straightforward design like that seen in the visually bulkier, less aerodynamic (sedan cW-value 0.23), more practical Kia EV3, bright colors, and materials that are pleasant both to touch and to look at. Dockable shelves and boxes introduce new accents. There's good space at the front in both models, and the rear is also very well and comfortably accommodated, although not quite as spacious as in the longer EV6. To park one's feet under the front seat, one needs to raise them slightly.

As usual, there is the latest Level-2 driver assistance (lane change assistant, Highway Driving Assist HDA), along with a huge 12-inch head-up display that mirrors the lower part of the windshield, 100-watt USB-C ports, and of course the latest corporate infotainment with AI-supported voice assistance including a 12.3-inch central screen, a 12.3-inch central instrument, and a 5.3-inch climate controller. Updates naturally happen via over-the-air interface, access can be controlled via smartphone or smartwatch, and video streaming is also set for any entertainment during the charging pause.

Kia PV2: The Picnic Box on Wheels

Pause is also the keyword for the third new introduction in the ever-growing Kia lineup: The EV2, still shown as a concept, is set to start below the EV3 in 2026 from 30,000 euros and is intended to be nothing less than a "Picnic Box" on wheels. In other words, the city car offers a clean, cool, somehow urban exterior design with compact exterior dimensions, a highly flexible and quite tall, "boxy" and colorful as well as practical and sustainably trimmed interior which, with the trick of a fold-up rear bench and a perfectly flat floor, transforms into a lounge for two.

At the same time, there remains ample space in the trunk, accessible via a large tailgate. Whether the butterfly doors hinged at the rear will remain in the production version, as seen in the concept, is still unclear. However, the EV2 is not supposed to be Kia's last word on democratizing e-mobility: An EV1 is also firmly planned, which will resemble the Hyundai Inster in design and will be in the 25,000-euro league.

“Kia aims to take a globally leading position as an EV brand and provider of sustainable mobility solutions by enhancing the options and experiences we offer our customers. With models like the Kia EV4 and the vision shown with the Kia Concept EV2, we want to further democratize electric vehicle ownership and make the benefits of sustainable mobility solutions accessible to all,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia, articulating the guiding principle.

PBVs are expected to contribute a large part to growth

By 2030, multi-purpose vehicles, referred to as PBVs (Platform beyond Vehicle or Purpose Built Vehicles) in Kia's marketing speak, are expected to account for a solid one-third of sales. These vehicles, which range from the five basic models to a total of eleven versions—from short or long vans, to high roof (up to 5.1 m³ volume, 1.81 meters standing height, available with access to the cargo area), crew cabin van, station wagon, premium shuttle, or wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV)—are flexibly produced in a completely new factory in Korea. Additionally, a neighboring Van Conversion Center is intended to adapt the modular, E-GMP-based electric platform, derived from electric cars, for specific usage purposes in smaller quantities. Naturally, coolers (initially with Petit Forestier), boxes, or flatbeds are also planned on the chassis.

Ultra-low cargo space, tricky pallet handling

The cargo or passenger space is so low at 42 centimeters that, despite having a solid rear axle, considerable "curbs" remain on the left and right sides. From the rear, a pallet can only be transported lengthwise through the 90 centimeters between the wheel arches. Another must be maneuvered through the side door, which at 83 centimeters just barely meets the requirement. Above the steps as well as at the square rear opening, relatively narrow passage widths of 130 centimeters are available, like 130 centimeters in height, with a maximum of 142 centimeters inside. The total cargo length for the entire vehicle is 225 centimeters. An Airline track system is optionally available for the side walls. The angular-geometric design, which generally allows good space efficiency, is "rounded off" by replaceable corners on the bumpers and black-gray cladding in the form of wheel arch covers and side skirts.

Tidy and spacious interior

In the interior, the aim is to impress with clear design and ergonomics, large compartments and storage spaces, low entry and easy passage, as well as a good overview thanks to the deep-drawn window line, which ensures a good view in the station wagon versions. There is also an emphasis on strong colors and sustainable plastics, such as floors with TPO as a PVC alternative, which are also easy to clean and durable, the Koreans promise. Naturally, there are digital instruments (7 inches) and infotainment (12.9 inches), the latter running on Android iOS and of course update-capable "over the air" (OTA). Collaborations with Geotab and dot42 are aimed at making the PV5 a telematically fully connected, IoT-ready platform on wheels.

Three moderate battery sizes, good efficiency

Propulsion is provided by a synchronous motor with up to 120 kW (250 Nm), depending on the battery, which classically drives the front wheels. Three capacities of the moderately sized lithium-ion batteries, integrated into the vehicle structure to increase body rigidity, are available for the multi-purpose vehicle: 43 (cargo only), 51, or 72 kWh, good for a maximum range of 400 kilometers, suggesting high efficiency. This is already revealed by its primarily intended area of use—city and suburbs—rather than long distance, for which numerous models, up to the almost van-like built electric cruiser EV9, are at least available in the passenger car sector.