The fully electric Kia PV5 is no stranger to me after having sat in it earlier this year in Spain. Recently, I was able to get more intimate with it as I drove the modularized platform van around South Korea as part of its official introduction there.

I definitely liked the PV5 from the first moment I laid eyes on it. Maybe it was the cyberpunk-esque design of the exterior or its fresh multifunctionality that appealed to me. Whatever it is, this thing is a cool tool on wheels in my book, and my driving experience in Seoul made me want one even more.

The PV5 is based on Kia’s E-GMP.S (Electric Global Modular Platform for Service), which translates to practical versatility, be it for commercial or personal use. This van takes on multiple roles with 16 configurations across four variants to choose from, depending on purpose. And it can go further with specific customization, such as options for a high-roof build suitable for food trucks, mobile clinics, and production vehicles.

Kia’s first model under its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy is capable of reaching 412km (long-range version) on a full charge, and takes around 30 minutes only (from 10% to 80%) for fast-charging. This makes the PV5 ideal for both business and personal mobility.

For our drive from Seoul to Kia’s Hwaseong EVO plant (where the PV5 is built), there were two PV5 variants available: the Passenger and the Cargo. We were assigned to the former.

In just the first few kilometers of the drive, the PV5 felt very smooth and composed. As expected, acceleration was instant, but without the neck strain. All 161hp and 250Nm of torque from its 71.2kWh battery are delivered to its front wheels effortlessly.

After leaving the thick traffic of Seoul’s morning rush, the PV5 demonstrated satisfying open-road driving dynamics, and the suspension was quite pliant. Another thing I noticed after reaching the Kia Autoland Hwaseong plant—almost 70km later—was that the PV5 seemed true to its range, given the mixed conditions of that morning.

The Passenger variant comfortably seats five, and ergonomics are on point. Occupants in the first row may feel a lack of privacy as the windows stretch down to the midway point of the doors, revealing a good part of the driver and the passenger. Proper window tinting can alleviate this, though.

Aside from the huge rear cargo space, which can handle a massive grocery run combined with several large suitcases, I loved how the PV5 had storage bins located around the vehicle, especially under the floor liner. Talk about utilizing space.

In terms of information tech, the small driver’s display is separate from the large infotainment screen on the center dashboard. It sort of feels familiar, given this is a common setup with the Chinese cars we’ve experienced. The infotainment interface is a joy to use and comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with voice recognition as standard.

As for the PV5 Cargo version, I appreciate how thoughtful the design is, especially with how low the vehicle floor sits. It makes loading and unloading much more convenient. The PV5 Cargo will certainly be very useful for small- to medium-scale businesses.

Furthermore, designers and engineers have enhanced the durability, the safety, and the reparability of the PV5. For one, both front and rear bumpers are divided into three parts for fast and easy replacement. The same goes for the rocker panels and the wheel-arch cladding.

From the driver’s seat, the low beltline and the wide windshield improve visibility for the front and the peripherals. On the other hand, I felt the somewhat bulky A-pillars did get in the way of viewing cross traffic or pedestrians/animals approaching from the side.

After being on the road for almost a full day in the PV5 Passenger, I could say it has a place in our market. However, the obvious big questions are: When will AC Mobility bring it in, and how much will the distributor sell it here? As always, it’s just a matter of time.

If priced competitively (say, below P2.5 million), would you want the Kia PV5 to be available locally?