The Kia PV5 has advanced to the top-three shortlist for the 2026 World Car Design of the Year award. A jury of 98 automotive journalists representing 33 countries made the selection, with finalists announced through World Car TV. The overall winner will be revealed April 1, 2026, at the New York International Auto Show.
Highlights
- The PV5 is Kia’s first dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV), built on a purpose-designed, modular architecture
- Key design features include a 2,995 mm wheelbase, 5.5 m turning radius, and low-floor entry heights optimized for urban use
- Cargo variants offer up to 4.4 m³ (Long) and 5.1 m³ (High Roof) of usable volume
- Kia won the 2025 World Car of the Year title with the EV3, and took a double win in 2024 with the EV9
Kia’s First PBV Enters the Design Conversation
The PV5’s shortlisting reflects recognition of its modular “Flexible Body System” concept. Rather than adapting an existing platform, Kia engineered the PV5 from the ground up to support passenger, cargo, and conversion configurations from a standardized core architecture. That approach distinguishes it from conventional commercial EVs.
Proportions were optimized for usability in urban environments. The 2,995 mm wheelbase provides interior space, while the 5.5 m turning radius keeps the vehicle maneuverable in tight settings. Step heights of 399 mm at the sliding door and 419 mm at the cargo tailgate support frequent entry and loading cycles.
Cargo Capacity and Low-Floor Design
Packaging decisions reflect commercial operator priorities. The Cargo Long variant delivers up to 4.4 m³ of volume, while the Cargo High Roof extends that figure to 5.1 m³. The low-floor design also reduces physical strain during repeated loading, a practical consideration for last-mile fleet operators.
Additionally, the PV5 earned the 2026 International Van of the Year title — a unanimous selection by 26 commercial vehicle journalists worldwide. That recognition adds weight to the World Car Awards shortlisting.
Kia’s Track Record at World Car Awards
Kia has built a consistent record at the World Car Awards over recent years. In 2025, the EV3 claimed World Car of the Year honors. The previous year, the EV9 swept both World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle categories. Earlier wins include the EV6 GT as 2023 World Performance Car, and the Telluride and Soul EV sharing 2020 World Car of the Year and World Urban Car titles, respectively.
April 1 Ceremony at NYIAS
All six World Car Awards category winners will be announced live at the New York International Auto Show on April 1, 2026. For Kia, a design win would mark another milestone for a model the company is positioning as the foundation of its commercial EV strategy.
More information is available at the Kia Global Media Center.
Sign up for our popular daily email to catch all the latest EV news!
