Kia and Museum of the Future Sign Partnership, Debut PV5 as Brand’s First Platform Beyond Vehicle in the Middle East
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Kia Brings Its PV5 Platform Beyond Vehicle to the Middle East for the First Time
The modular electric van makes its regional debut at Dubai’s Museum of the Future, arriving in six distinct configurations that target everything from last-mile logistics to premium executive transport.
Kia Middle East and Africa has officially introduced the PV5 to the region, unveiling the vehicle at a signing ceremony held at the Museum of the Future in Dubai yesterday. The event also marked a formal partnership between Kia and the museum — a collaboration framed around shared positioning on innovation and future mobility.
The PV5 is Kia’s first Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) model, a product category the Korean brand has been developing as a purpose-built electric platform designed to serve commercial and mobility operators rather than private buyers. Six body configurations were on display in Dubai: Passenger, Cargo, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), Taxi (developed specifically for Dubai Taxi Company), Prime Edition luxury conversion, and Drop Side for specialised commercial applications.
What the PV5 Actually Is
At its core, the PV5 is a fully electric van built on a modular architecture. The Cargo variant — the most commercially relevant configuration for the UAE market — measures 4,695 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,899 mm tall, with a 2,995 mm wheelbase. It offers 4.42 cubic metres of cargo volume, a low rear loading height of 419 mm, and a flat floor optimised for loading efficiency.
Two battery options are available: a 51.5 kWh unit paired with an 89.4 kW motor delivering up to 297 km of WLTP range, and a 71.2 kWh pack paired with a 120 kW motor stretching that figure to 416 km. Both top out at 135 km/h and use NCM (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) chemistry. DC fast charging at 150 kW gets either battery from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes — a practical figure for fleet operators running multiple daily shifts.
Payload capacity depends on configuration: the three-door variant handles between 690 and 790 kg, while the four-door sits between 645 and 745 kg. GVW is rated at 2,650 kg.
On the technology side, the PV5 runs Android Automotive OS (AAOS) for native Google services and OTA updates, and supports telematics, real-time diagnostics, and fleet management connectivity — all relevant for operators running it at scale.
Safety systems include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Speed Limit Assist, parking sensors front and rear, a reversing camera, and TPMS.
The Passenger and Specialised Variants
Beyond the Cargo, the PV5 Passenger targets ride-hailing, hotel shuttles, and corporate mobility with sliding door access and a spacious cabin. The WAV variant is an OEM-produced solution — not an aftermarket conversion — integrating wheelchair access and accessibility equipment from the factory. The Prime Edition goes the other direction, targeting hotels and executive transport operators with an elevated interior focused on privacy and passenger comfort. The Drop Side, built on the Chassis-Cab platform, opens the door to box van, freezer box, and utility body conversions for public sector and construction use cases.
Context
The PV5 has already picked up meaningful recognition internationally: 2026 International Van of the Year, BBC Top Gear Family Car of the Year for the Passenger variant, a five-star 2025 Euro NCAP Commercial Van Safety rating for the Cargo, and a Guinness World Record for electric van range in its class.
The Museum of the Future partnership gives Kia a permanent exhibition presence in Dubai, aligned with the UAE’s Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy and Net Zero 2050 targets — positioning the brand not just as a vehicle supplier but as a participant in the city’s broader smart mobility ambitions.
