
By David Lewis | 22 January 2026
The Kia PV5 Passenger has been named ‘MPV of the Year’ at the 2026 What Car? Car of the Year Awards, adding another major accolade to Kia’s growing electric PBV range.
The award comes shortly after first UK customer deliveries began, highlighting the strong early response to Kia’s first purpose-built electric people carrier.
Designed from the ground up on Kia’s Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S), the PV5 Passenger focuses on space, flexibility and everyday usability.
It is offered with a choice of standard- and long-range battery options, allowing customers to select the version that best suits their driving needs.
The What Car? judging panel highlighted the PV5 Passenger’s interior space, usability and driving comfort.
Judges said: “If an MPV does nothing else, it must provide huge space for passengers, and the PV5 ticks this box and then some. It is clever too, with plenty of storage, a user-friendly infotainment system and useful features such as vehicle-to-load charging.”
“A comfortable ride and high driving position complete a very well-rounded package.”
The PV5 Passenger has been engineered with flexible seating and interior layouts that maximise passenger comfort while making the most of available space.
A seven-seat version is planned to join the existing five-seat model in 2026, expanding its appeal for larger families, private hire use and business customers.
The MPV of the Year award adds to an already impressive start for the PV5, which has also been named ‘2026 International Van of the Year’.
The PV5 Passenger represents a key step in Kia’s expansion into the electric MPV and light commercial vehicle market.
Orders for the Kia PV5 Passenger are open, with further PV5 variants set to arrive during 2026.