Kia PV7: 1.2 Tons of Payload – Is This the E-Camper We've Been Waiting For?

Kia showed off the PV7 today at IAA Transportation in Hanover. It's the second model in the PBV strategy ("Platform Beyond Vehicle") and sits clearly above the PV5, which we already took a closer look at here. 535 cm long, up to 8 cubic meters of cargo space, up to 1.2 tons of payload, and 800-volt tech.

On paper, this is a vehicle for parcel services, trades, and shuttle operations. We're interested in a different question: what happens when you put a camper conversion in there?

The key specs of the PV7

Kia builds the PV7 as a Cargo and a Passenger version. Both sit on the PBV E-GMP.S platform and have a completely flat floor.

The long version measures 535 cm in length, 199.5 cm in width (203 cm including mirrors), and 199 cm in height. The wheelbase is 350 cm. For comparison: the PV5 comes in at 469.5 cm long with a 300 cm wheelbase.

That puts the PV7 in the same class as the VW T7 Transporter long, Ford Transit Custom L2, and Mercedes Vito long — exactly where most van campers come from. It still stays under six meters, though, which helps with ferries, tolls, and campsite pitches.

On the drivetrain side, there are two NMC batteries with 71.5 and 96.2 kWh. The motor sits at the front and delivers up to 200 kW (around 272 hp) at 420 Nm, depending on market and configuration. Kia has announced an all-wheel-drive variant, but without a launch date.

The charging tech is the interesting part: the PV7 runs on 800 volts. At a 350 kW charging station, the battery is said to go from 10 to 80 percent in around 25 minutes. Kia states the range for the Cargo with the large battery at up to around 460 kilometers. Heads up: that's an internal Kia figure based on WLTP criteria — homologation for the German version is still pending.

New for a Kia: charging ports at the front (AC/DC) and optionally at the rear (AC). The PV7 can also feed power back out: V2L with 230-volt outlets inside and outside the vehicle.

Cargo or Passenger

The PV7 Cargo, in its long version with standard roof, holds up to 6.1 cubic meters; the high-roof version up to 8.0 cubic meters. Payload sits at 1,165 kg (long version) and 1,200 kg (standard version). The loading edge is low at 55 cm, and three euro pallets fit inside. At the rear, you can choose between double doors or a classic tailgate, and the floor covering can be adapted to the intended use.

The PV7 Passenger offers up to nine seats in Europe. The seven-seat variant has seats that slide lengthwise and can be easily removed. It also comes with a separate rear climate zone, USB-C at 100 watts, and Pleos Connect infotainment based on Android Automotive with 12.9- and 14.6-inch displays.

Market launch in Europe and Korea: second half of 2027. Kia plans to expand the lineup to 23 variants afterward, including a chassis cab and a range of conversion models. 31 conversion partners are on board at the "Global PBV Conversion Partners Day" in Hanover.

Camping potential: what's in its favor

The payload. There's likely enough headroom here for a comfortable conversion with plenty of payload reserves left over.

The wheelbase and flat floor. A 350 cm wheelbase and a flat floor with no driveshaft tunnel make a solid starting point for a conversion.

800 volts and the large battery. 96.2 kWh and a 25-minute charging time change trip planning noticeably. The PV5, by comparison, currently runs on 400 volts, 150 kW, and around 30 minutes with a smaller battery.

V2L with outlets inside and outside. Cooler, induction hob, coffee machine, tools at the pitch. You save on some of the conversion's electrical setup, but you're drawing that power from the traction battery. If you camp off-grid a lot, you'll still need solar and possibly a second battery.

The rear charging port. Sounds minor, but it's handy when you're backing up to a charging station or when a conversion blocks the front port.

Chassis cab and a conversion network. Kia is planning conversion versions from the start and already has 31 partners on board.

Camping potential: what's against it

Range with a conversion. The 460 km figure applies to the empty Cargo under "lab conditions." Depending on the conversion and in real-world use, consumption is likely to be noticeably higher and range correspondingly lower.

No camper variant announced. The PV5 has a Weekender concept and several conversions already on the market. For the PV7, Kia is so far only talking about fleets, logistics, and shuttles. Camping isn't mentioned in the press release.

Open questions. There's no information yet on towing capacity, roof load, interior cargo dimensions, or other relevant specs.

Front-wheel drive, no all-wheel drive at launch.Not a dealbreaker, but not exactly practical either: for forest trails, wet meadows, snow, or gravel tracks, the PV7 has the same problem as the PV5 (and plenty of combustion vans too, like our Citroen Jumpy from the Stellantis family) – not enough traction. An all-wheel-drive version is supposed to come, but only "at a later date."

PV5 vs. PV7: the direct comparison

The PV5 remains the compact, affordable van. It fits into the city, into parking garages, and onto your driveway, and you can already get it today fully fitted out or as a base for your own build. If you're traveling with it, you'll need some discipline with weight and a travel style that matches the charging infrastructure. That's exactly what we said about the PV5 back then, and the PV7 doesn't change that.

The PV7 solves two of the three "weak points": space and payload. The third one, charging infrastructure, it only partly solves. With 96 kWh and 800 volts you get further and spend less time at the charger, but you're obviously still dependent on charging points being available.

Bottom line

In theory, the PV7 is the more interesting camper base. On paper, it brings everything the PV5 lacks for longer trips: length, width, payload, battery capacity, and charging speed. Whether that actually translates into a good motorhome base depends on interior dimensions, price, and the conversion companies. We won't know that before 2027 at the earliest, realistically more like 2028.

We'll keep an eye on this and let you know as soon as Kia announces interior dimensions and prices.