Kia PV5 Claims Double Victory at the 2026 What Van? Awards as Kia Marks 80 Years of Innovation

Kia has secured one of its most significant accolades to date, with the PV5 Cargo being crowned both ‘Van of the Year’ and ‘Compact Van of the Year’ at the 2026 What Van? Awards. The honours underscore the impact Kia’s new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy is having on the light commercial vehicle sector—arriving as the brand also celebrates its 80th anniversary with a major ceremony and heritage exhibition in Korea.

PV5: A New Benchmark for Electric Vans

Evaluated by a panel of independent LCV experts, the PV5 Cargo impressed judges with its refined driving experience, long-range capability and modern, versatile design. What Van? editor James Dallas described it as “a meticulously developed electric van that has immediately gone to the top of its class,” noting its blend of practicality, comfort and impressive single-charge range.

The PV5 Cargo is available initially in L2/H1 format with a choice of two battery packs.

• The Long Range version delivers up to 258 miles (WLTP combined) and carries 690kg.
• The Standard Range offers 184 miles with a higher 790kg payload.

Further variants—including L1/H1, L2/H2, Chassis Cab and Crew models—will join the line-up in 2026.

In 2025, the model set a Guinness World Record™ after covering 430.84 miles on a single charge while loaded to maximum payload, highlighting its real-world capability. Backed by an industry-leading seven-year/100,000-mile warranty (eight years for the battery pack), the PV5 strengthens Kia’s ambition to advance electrification within the LCV market.

Paul Philpott, President & CEO of Kia UK, called the wins “a tremendous endorsement” as the first PV5 units arrive in the UK, praising the model’s flexible platform and value for operators.

A Rapidly Growing Awards Collection

The What Van? double victory builds on the PV5's remarkable momentum. The model has already claimed 2026 International Van of the Year, Parkers Van and Pickup Awards’ Best Electric Van and overall Van of the Year, plus The Sun Van of the Year. The PV5 Passenger version has also earned BBC TopGear.com’s Family Car of the Year, demonstrating the platform’s versatility across commercial and consumer applications.

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Kia Celebrates 80 Years of Progress

Kia’s LCV success comes during an important milestone for the brand: its 80th anniversary. A ceremony at Kia Vision Square in Yongin, Korea, honoured eight decades of innovation, attended by Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Kia President & CEO Ho Sung Song and 400 guests. The event highlighted Kia’s evolution from a modest manufacturer of bicycles and three-wheelers to a global mobility leader.

A new exhibition, “The Legacy of Movement,” is now open at Kia Vision Square until 2029. It showcases historic icons such as the 3000-Liho bicycle, K-360, Brisa, and landmark passenger models including the Pride, Sportage, Carnival and EV6 GT. The display also features the PV5, marking the next chapter in Kia’s PBV journey.

Looking Forward: Future Mobility and PBVs

At the anniversary event, Kia unveiled the Vision Meta Turismo, a concept that blends performance, immersive digital interaction and lounge-style comfort. Featuring AR head-up display modes and ‘Opposites United’ design cues, the concept underscores Kia’s ambition to redefine the driving experience.

The PV5 is the first step in a broader PBV rollout. Kia will introduce the larger PV7 in 2027 and the flagship PV9 in 2029—expanding a dedicated family of purpose-built electric vehicles designed around customer needs.

With a historic double win for the PV5 and a global celebration of its 80-year heritage, Kia enters its next chapter with renewed momentum—bridging its past achievements with an electrified, purpose-built future.