Louth Motors: The Kia PV5 brings cool back
Move over ID Buzz: The futuristic Kia PV5 brings cool back to the people carrier
Kia must be in the running for the newest range of cars on sale. They have a whole host of new cars and facelifted a lot of their favourite models as well.
The “Opposites Attract” design principles are making it onto most of their cars and feels a bit relentless. I was getting slightly bored with it and was hankering for the Kia designer who would give us the next Stinger perhaps.
But a corporate look is a corporate look and in the corporate world only the very brave survive if they are not fully on board corporately. Having said that, I think the new Kia PV5 is the best exponent of the design language and brings a thoroughly modern design to the people carrier sector - remember them when we all wanted them?
The PV5 looks like nothing else on sale and whilst it could be divisive I’d say my experience with it was the reality. Everyone was interested in the vehicle and all, and I mean all, were admiring it. It has the same ability as the VW ID Buzz to attract and draw you in but for different reasons. It looks so different and spaceagey but most importantly desirable.
It comes as a 5 seater (a 7-seater is on the way) has dual rear sliding doors and a huge up and over tailgate. The sliding doors are manual and no electric ones envisaged with the rear electrically operated which judging by the size of it it had to be.
Those sliding doors are wonderful for rear passengers and make exiting that bit easier when you have to park in a supermarket parking bay. Being only a 5-seater means that the split level rear cargo space is 2,600l and makes the PV5 one of the most versatile cars available for an active family.
I can't record writing a figure larger than 2,600l in my time reviewing cars. It will, I predict, become the best selling EV for those needing to use a wheelchair. It’s just so spacious.Whoever rides in the PV5 will certainly be doing it in style.
Charging is at the front with the port in the middle of the grille. For me that's the best place for it period, and makes using your home charger, the street charger or the fast charger easypeasy.
It’ll take 10 hrs to charge it at home to 100% and out and about using a fast charger (max. 150kW) the cup-of-coffee time is 30mins to get from 10% to 80% which is reasonable.
Driving the PV5 was a doddle. You practically sit over the front wheels and the turning circle is so good that manoeuvring this 4,695mm long car is very easy. Parking is so easy with the rear view camera and with side mirrors that don't need adjusting down to be able to see the rear wheels. It has a 143 kw motor that will transport you and your family with ease and at motorway speeds it is really quiet for such a big car. I’d drive this all day no problem.
It’s tall but not plagued by excessive body roll so car sickness shouldn't be an issue. The driving controls are well laid out and there are two displays. Kia has resisted competing in the mine-is-bigger-than-yours display battle with both screens being appropriately sized. They have also resisted giving you back some buttons and knobs which is a shame.
There's lots of storage options in the cabin to keep your stuff away from prying eyes. You even get a 13A socket for vehicle load requirements. The materials though, whilst functional, and nice looking could have moved a notch or two up the quality ladder.But those niceties come at a price and with the one model only PV5 for €42,550 after all grants it represents spectacular value.
Remarkably, it comes with a heat pump as standard to improve range which is a claimed 416km. Only three colours to choose from. Any guesses? Black, Grey and Frost Blue. The PV5 is crying out for a few funky colours to allow buyers to express themselves a bit more. Imagine it in Orange, Lime Green or Candy Red?
I carried my elderly mother in it for a few trips in the same day and getting in and out was no problem for her. If I was to criticise I’d like the step in and out to be a little bit lower and please Kia stop the seatbelt buckle disappearing into the notch cut out in the seat as it’s a pain to extract and then insert the buckle without it fighting to go back into its cut-out seat home.The front door windows don't fully wind down and disappear into the door but its not much of an issue as the top of the window is so low when its fully wound down. And for every arm out the window driver there is a ledge on the inside for doing that.
The PV5 is exactly what a family of 5 is looking for these days who are mainly urban dwellers with the odd excursion further afield. It seats all 5 passengers comfortably, has incredible headroom, is bright and airy and has that amazing luggage compartment behind the second row of seats. It has decent energy consumption at 19.2kWh/100 with me recording that as well which was quite a pleasant shock.
What makes the PV5 so impressive is the way it blends a distinctive, futuristic design with daily utility. It proves that an everyday electric vehicle can be both a sensible, affordable choice and a genuinely stylish, desirable MPV.