BBC TopGear.com’s recognition underscores Kia’s growing strength in electrified mobility and builds on the brand’s recent success at the BBC TopGear.com Awards. The PV5 Passenger follows in the footsteps of Kia’s previous wins – being awarded as ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ in 2022 followed by a series of accolades for its EV models, the EV6 (2021), EV9 (2023) and EV3 (2024) – each celebrated for advancing practical, future-ready mobility. Building on its win as the ‘2026 International Van of the Year’, this latest award further demonstrates the PV5’s ability to resonate across both commercial and private-use segments. This year’s result highlights how Kia’s PBV lineup is redefining what modern families can expect from an electric vehicle — delivering space, efficiency, flexibility and value in ways that establish a new benchmark for the segment. “The PV5 Passenger represents a new chapter for accessible and practical electrified mobility in Europe. Its spacious design, modular versatility and refined driving experience show how PBVs can genuinely enhance everyday family life. This recognition from Top Gear validates our direction and strengthens our momentum as we expand Kia’s PBV lineup across the region.” – Marc Hedrich, President & CEO, Kia Europe. “The PV5 offers an uncommon blend of generous space, refined comfort and impressive efficiency, all delivered with standout value. Its design is thoughtful, family-focused and executed with real clarity and purpose.” – Jack Scarlett, Contributor, BBC Top Gear, from the PV5 Review 2025.

Top Gear editors highlighted the PV5 Passenger for its exceptionally spacious and versatile interior delivering MPV-level practicality within a compact footprint, smooth and refined driving character uncommon in vehicles of similar size or shape, high efficiency and real-world drivability supported by Kia’s PBV-dedicated platform, and its remarkable price-to-performance ratio offering significantly greater value than rivals. Together, these strengths position the PV5 as a compelling new option for families seeking practical and accessible electric mobility. Built on Kia’s scalable Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) architecture, the PV5 introduces a new concept of modular, electrified mobility designed to adapt to a wide range of customer lifestyles. Drawing on Kia’s heritage in family vehicles — from the practicality and everyday usability of the Bongo to the spaciousness and functionality of the Carnival — the PV5 carries this lineage forward with a future-oriented interpretation. The PV5 Passenger variant is offered as a five-seat model with generous cabin and cargo space, with six- and seven-seat configurations to follow. Key strengths include adaptable space with multiple storage solutions, a quiet and confident drive supported by advanced driver-assistance systems, and a connected experience through a PBV-dedicated IVI system, App Market and V2L functionality. Aligned with Kia’s long-term PBV strategy, the PV5 will be followed by larger models such as PV7 and PV9, contributing to Kia’s aim of selling 250,000 electric PBV units annually by 2030. Organized by BBC TopGear.com, the BBC TopGear.com Awards evaluate the year’s most exceptional vehicles based on innovation, engagement, value and real-world performance.