Kia PV5 Wins Another Huge Van of the Year Award

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Kia seems to be on a roll with its PBV platform, and especially the PV5. The PV5 recently won a couple of awards that we’ve highlighted here. It won the “2026 International Van of the Year,” receiving the award at the IVOTY Award Gala in France and becoming the first South Korean brand to win the award. On top of that, the PV5 Passenger, a variant of the PV5 clearly more focused on transporting humans than cargo, won the “2025 Family Car of the Year” award from BBC’s Top Gear.

Now, we have news of another variant of the PV5 winning an award. The PV5 Cargo is actually a double winner. It won the “Van of the Year” award and the “Compact Van of the Year” award in the 2026 What Van? Awards. I know, it’s a weird award name, but it’s a big one in the UK.

“The annual What Van? Awards highlight the most capable, innovative and high-performing models across the light commercial vehicle sector, with winners selected by an independent panel of veteran LCV experts. The PV5 Cargo’s strong performance confirms its arrival as a highly competitive global contender in the electric commercial vehicle sector,” Kia writes.

“This achievement follows a standout result in a separate 2025 What Van? Review published in November 2025, which awarded the PV5 a perfect 10/10 score — making it the only electric LCV to receive such a rating this year. The review highlighted the PV5’s exceptional real-world performance.” That is impressive, eh?!

So, clearly, Kia is doing a thing or two right with the PBV platform, and especially the PV5 for now. It has everything that’s needed in terms of specs, and it offers flexibility to serve the needs and desires of all sorts of businesses.

“The Kia PV5 Cargo is a well-researched and meticulously developed electric van that immediately jumps to the top of its class. Its sophisticated, versatile design and outstanding real-world range make it an exceptional product,” says James Dallas, Editor of What Van?

“Winning ‘Van of the Year’ at the What Van? Awards is a tremendous endorsement for the PV5 that arrives just as the very first units arrive in the UK. We believe PV5 sets new benchmarks for the industry, thanks to its flexible platform, advanced electrified powertrain, and great value for customers. We are immensely proud of this new product, and our new UK network of dedicated PBV Centres will lead the way in demonstrating its strengths to customers as we seek to lead electrification efforts in the light commercial vehicle sector,” says Paul Philpott, President & CEO of Kia UK.

Here are key specs for the Kia PV5:

• Long Range (71.2 kWh): up to 258 miles WLTP, 690 kg payload
• Standard Range (51.5 kWh): up to 184 miles WLTP, 790 kg payload
• Load volume: 4.4 m³
• Motor output: up to 120 kW and 250 Nm
• Future variants: L1/H1, L2/H2, Crew, and Chassis Cab launching in 2026

Note that the larger Kia PV7 is still to come in 2027 and the Kia PV9 is coming in 2029. Clever naming and timing, eh? I imagine we’ll be seeing more awards down the line for these models.

For now, though, here’s a bit more from Kia on why the PV5 was the big award winner this year:

“Early this year, What Van?’s 2025 Review highlighted a range of strengths that contributed to the PV5’s high rating, including real-world usability, cabin comfort, dynamic stability and value considerations — all traits that reinforce the model’s competitive position within the global eLCV segment.

“The evaluation also emphasized the PV5’s modern, functional design tailored specifically for commercial use, along with an interior that delivers passenger-car-level technology through dual displays, Android Automotive OS and over-the-air capability. Its low center of gravity enables a highly stable and quiet EV driving experience, while flexible body configurations — spanning Cargo, Crew and Chassis-Cab options in multiple lengths and heights — offer practical versatility for diverse operational needs. Comprehensive standard features, including advanced safety systems, LED lighting, a rear camera and climate-comfort technologies, further enhance the PV5’s appeal for global commercial customers.”

Credit to Kia. Now go out and sell the thing!