IF you’ve ever thought the ID.Buzz was the vehicle for you but baulked at the high price, we might just have come across a suitable alternative.

Kia have taken their light commercial van, reworked it for those of us who like a bit more room for the family and launched the PV5 Passenger.Like Buzz, it’s got a pretty distinctive look and features a smooth and clean face, with a centre-mounted charging port to simplify the charging process – but it comes with a price tag that’s over £23,000 cheaper.

Not a saving you can realistically argue against when you consider you’re still getting a vehicle that will double up for personal and business use. 

PV5 Passenger is offered in two trim levels in the UK,‘Essential’ and ‘Plus’, and with the choice of a standard-range 51.5kWh or long-range 71.2kWh battery pack here in the ‘Plus’. Both are very well equipped.
It comes in a five-seat, 2-3-0 layout, with the first and second rows for seating, while the third is a spacious luggage area, with a bottom luggage tray and side storage trays. Kia say more seating configurations will join the line-up later this year.

‘Plus’ is expected to be the best seller, offering the longest range from a single charge and a generous level of specification for transporting five people in comfort.

With the 71.2 kWh battery pack it’s powered by a front-mounted electric motor producing 120kW (160bhp) and 250Nm torque, driving the front wheels and getting you to 62mph in 10.6 seconds.

All variants are capable of a top speed of 84mph and benefit from fast charging capability, so when connected to a 150kW charging point the battery can be topped up from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes.
The driver’s view is similar to most of Kia’s other EV offerings: a seven inch instrument cluster is backed up by a large 12.9 inch central navigation screen. And all round visibility is good, aided by large door glass and big mirrors, and the legroom for the second row of seats is commendable, where the outer seats are heated and there are easily accessible USB ports for those who need them. 

The interior has more storage spaces than you could possibly need – your problem might be remembering which one you put a specific item in! 

PV5 also introduces a dedicated ‘Pet Mode’, which displays a message on the infotainment screen to let passers-by know that the owner’s pet is both happy and comfortable. It can be used to maintain climate settings should you need to leave Muttley in the vehicle alone for short periods of time.

Family friendly. Pet friendly. All bases covered.

Kia PV5 Passenger ‘Plus’

Price: £36,795 (with Government Grant)
Engine: 71.2kWh Li-on polymer battery
Power: 160 bhp
Torque: 184 lb/ft
Transmission: single speed
Top speed: 84mph
0-62mph: 10.6 seconds
Range: 256 miles
CO2 emissions: 0g/km

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