Kia’s first electric van, the PV5, is set to go on sale in Canada soon. Kia said the P5 is...

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Kia announced that prices for the PV5 will start at CAD 46,995 … in Canada when it goes on sale in Q4 2026. All trims also qualify for the Electric Vehicle Affordability Program, offering up to CAD 5,000 toward the purchase.

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So far, it’s been a hit. The PV5 is already among Kia’s top-selling EVs in Korea. In Europe, the PV5 accounted for 9% of light commercial electric vehicle (eLCV) sales in the first few months of the year.

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  • hperrin@lemmy.caEnglish
    41·
    9 days ago

    I just bought a VW ID. Buzz, and based on the reviews, I think the extra 50% price for the Buzz is worth it. The Kia seems like it would be an ok van for cargo, but not for a family.

    • setVeryLoud(true);@lemmy.ca
      1·
      5 days ago

      The ID Buzz is a passenger van. This is a cargo van, one to do business in.

      It’s much bigger inside and much more boring. It’s designed for functionality and reliability foremost.

      • hperrin@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        5 days ago

        Yes, but they make a passenger version of this van, and they make a cargo version of the ID Buzz, so they are comparable.

        • setVeryLoud(true);@lemmy.ca
          1·
          5 days ago

          Eh it’s kinda like comparing a Grand Caravan with a Ford Transit.

          The ID Buzz is like the Grand Caravan, and the PV5 is like a Ford Transit.

          The Grand Caravan is mostly sold as a minivan with a lot of creature comforts for rear passengers, but was available as a panel van. You mostly see them being used by telecom technicians around here.

          The Ford Transit is mostly sold as a cargo van, and it’s much bigger than the Grand Caravan C/V inside. Altough it is available with seating, it’s more of a minibus with very few creature comforts at the back.

    • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.caEnglish
      71·
      8 days ago

      The ID buzz is not that big inside, and way overpriced, which is why it has been a flop. PV5 has 20 cubic feet more space.

      These are all over Europe.

      • hperrin@lemmy.caEnglish
        24·
        8 days ago

        The problem with cheaper vans of this size is that the large thin panels (like the roof) will flex and bend when you go over bumps. That causes slight changes in internal air pressure as you’re driving which you feel in your ears. Adults generally don’t mind, but children will dislike it and babies will often start crying (think about how babies cry on airplanes for the same reason).

        So, for cargo, or for driving adults around, yeah, this may be a great deal, but for families, it’s probably a no-go.

        If you watch reviews of this particular van, that’s a problem that is specifically called out.

    • thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works
      21·
      8 days ago

      Similarly, pulled the trigger on a LWB 7-seater version of the id.Buzz. Not a lot of choice here in Australia, especially given we wanted to take advantage of the FBT exemption for EVs.

      Delivery in ~3 months - low-key hyped, NGL.