Auto Express – Issue 1924 1117 March 2026 – Auto Express

www.autoexpress.co.uk 11 March 2026 39 KiaPV5Passenger LongRangePlus Price:£38,295 Powertrain:71.2kWhbattery, 1xe-motor,160bhp 0-62mph:10.6seconds Testefficiency:2.7miles/kWh Officialrange:256miles AnnualVED:£195 VauxhallVivaroLife ElectricXLUltimate Price:£48,935 Powertrain:75kWhbattery, 1xe-motor,134bhp 0-62mph:14.3seconds Testefficiency:2.0miles/kWh Officialrange:208miles AnnualVED:£195 Pete Gibson www.autoexpress.co.uk 40 11March2026 TESTED Kia PV5 Passenger vs Vauxhall Vivaro Life VAN-derived people carriers have come a long way in recent years. Cars such as the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and unrelated Multivan have desirability on their side, while the Mercedes V-Class turns up the luxury to 11. Running gear borrowed from passenger cars has also made mainstream choices such as the Citroen Berlingo and Ford’s range of Tourneo models more enjoyable to drive.

Now Kia has entered the fray with the all- electric PV5 Passenger. Unlike many rivals, the firm hasn’t joined forces with an existing Korean brand enters van-based MPV fray with PV5 Passenger EV WHILE Vauxhall makes a virtue of the fact that the Vivaro’s car- derived underpinnings help it to feel less van-like to drive, it can’t hold a candle to the Kia’s driving experience. Where the PV5 is comfortable yet direct and with instant responses, the Vivaro feels bouncy, sluggish and slow to react. Quick steering helps the Kia feel alert, but the wheel does need a bit more attention at motorway speeds.

THE Kiahastouchscreencontrols for all of its functions, including climate and volume, although the latter isn’t accessible when a smartphone screen is in use – the only physical volume control is on the steering wheel. Vauxhall’s touchscreen set-up has a smaller display and less functionality, but useful shortcut buttons and separate climate controls boost its usability. The trip computer is a little basic, though.

THE PV5 offers great value and decent everyday efficiency. In single-digit temperatures we saw a return of 2.7 miles per kWh from its 71kWh battery, when the 75kWh Vauxhall could only manage 2.0mi/kWh. A range of 181 miles at this rate isn’t brilliant, but is better than the 150 miles possible in the Vivaro. A heat pump can help mitigate against cold weather, but it’s only an option on the top-spec PV5. KiaPV5Passenger THE PV5 is the first of a range of PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) commercial models that the Korean firm plans to launch.

It slots somewhere between the European small and medium-sized van sectors; a panel van and five-seat MPV are the initial bodystyles on offer. All models feature a 71kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor to help optimise carrying capacity further back. There are two variants of the passenger model, with prices starting from £32,995. manufacturer to produce the PV5.

Has popular SUVlost its dynamic edge? We ride shotgun in latest hi-techVolvo Mercedes hatch is back from the dead ●CORSAHOTHATCHSPIED●NEW CUPRABORNUNVEILED 11 9 770954 886302 www.autoexpress.co.uk PEOPLE MOVERSTESTED Kia PV5 vsVauxhallVivaro in MPVshowdown PLUSJoggerHybriddriven FIRSTOFFICIALIMAGES ●£22,000FLAGSHIPWAGON ●PETROLANDHYBRID ●ONSALELATE’26 11 March 2026 3 DACIASTRIKER Romanianslooktoscore abighitwithnewfamily estateduelaterthisyear CUPRABORN 10 Mid-lifefaceliftbringsnew lookandlongerrangefor Spanishbrand’sEVhatch BMWiX3 All-electricSUVisthefirst ofbrand’s‘NeueKlasse’ models.WetryitintheUK SUBSCRIPTIONS 56 HowtogetAutoExpress deliveredto directtoyour doorandsave money NEWCARPRICES 74 Allthedetailsyouneedto knowbeforeyouheadto theshowroom BACKCHAT 82 AIassistants,car-building robots,self-drivingcars– wherewillitallend,asks MikeRutherford ROADTEST Vansareagreatbasefor anMPV,butwhodoesthe betterjob,KiaorVauxhall?

CYBERSECURITY Ascarsincreasingly becomelaptopswith wheels,wemustact toreducetheriskswe facefromhackers MAZDACX-5 Thirdgeneration ofSUVisvery muchacaseof evolutionrather thanrevolution, butourfirstdrive revealsthatmay notbeenough 26 38 34 22 6 REGULARS NEWSWEEK Dacia Striker 6 Value-focused firm reinvents family car Cupra Born 10 New look, extra tech for electric hatch Volvo EX60 12 First taste of forthcoming SUV A-Class shock 14 NewcarcomingasMercrisesfromdead Vauxhall Corsa GSE 16 276bhp hot hatch breaks cover Blueprint for EV batteries 18 Proposals aim to cut insurance costs Audi RS 3 20 Special edition marks final 5cyl car NEWCARS Mazda CX-5 22 New version of firm’s top seller driven BMW iX3 M Sport 26 Game-changing SUV on British roads Kia Stonic 30 Better, but still no class leader Dacia Jogger Hybrid 155 32 New powertrain in family car favourite FEATURES Could your car be hacked?

34 We talk to experts about the risks ROADTESTS Kia PV5 vs Vauxhall Vivaro 38 Electric van-based MPVs slug it out Toyota Prius 52 Hybrid hero brings lots of surprises BYD Sealion 7 54 Why driving our EV is frustrating PRODUCTS Hot kit and books 59 Pump-action pressure washer lance New products 60 Roof tent lets you enjoy the high life Interior trim cleaners 61 Fresh rivals take on current champ Car seat covers 62 Sit back and discover our top choice BUYINGCARS Column 65 Global conflicts give fuel for thought Driver Power 66 Your views on Mk2 Vauxhall Mokka Buyer’s guide 68 Lifting the lid on the Alfa Spider Three-car garage 72 Mazda magic for price of new CX-5 UP TO , * Reveal the deals at carwow.co.uk *Saving off RRP.

Promo ends 31/03/26. T&Cs apply. 11 March 2026 5 A CHAT with some Volvo software experts last week opened up a new dimension to the modern car touchscreen debate.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

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