More space — and four-wheel drive is coming soon

Kia fans will enjoy shorter charging times and up to nine seats, similar to the larger PV5. However, prices and launch dates in Norway are not yet available.

15.09.2026 12:00 | Updated 12:00

Think the PV5 is a bit small? Kia has a larger model in development.

At the IAA Transportation auto show in Hannover, Kia unveiled the new PV7. It will be available as a commercial vehicle called Cargo and as a multi-purpose model named Passenger.

Both are scheduled to launch in Europe in the second half of 2027. And among the news is something many Norwegian PV5 enthusiasts have been missing...

Four-wheel drive – but not from the start

When we tested the PV5 as a family car, space, price, and equipment level were on the plus side. However, the fact that the car is only rear-wheel driven was a downside.

With the PV7, Kia plans to offer all-wheel drive. But the first models will be rear-wheel driven, and the manufacturer has not specified when all-wheel drive versions will arrive.

This could make a significant difference here in Norway. We have previously discussed how all-wheel drive affects the Norwegian commercial vehicle market. For example, in July, 189 out of 192 registered electric Ford E-Transit Customs had all-wheel drive.

Seven seats? Here it goes up to nine.

We recently discussed the PV5 as a seven-seater, launched at a promotional price of 474,900 kroner including winter tires.

The PV7 Passenger continues the focus on space, with up to nine seating positions.

The long version measures 5.35 meters — about 65 centimeters longer than the PV5. The wheelbase increases from three to 3.5 meters. So this isn’t just a PV5 with a couple of extra seats crammed in at the back.

Kia has not yet specified how much luggage can actually fit when all seats are in use.

An extra Euro pallet

Even retail customers will have more space to work with.

The PV5 Cargo we tested had a cargo volume of 4.4 cubic meters and space for two Euro pallets. The PV7 Cargo Long is expected to accommodate up to 6.1 cubic meters and three Euro pallets.

A later version with a higher roof will increase the volume to up to eight cubic meters.

Kia lists a maximum payload of 1,165 kilograms for the Long version and 1,200 kilograms for the shorter model. This represents a significant increase from the 690 kilograms of the PV5 vehicle we tested.

Like its smaller sibling, the PV7 can also be used as a power source for tools and other electrical equipment.

Promises of shorter charging times

The PV7 features an 800-volt system and two battery sizes, rated at 71.5 and 96.2 kWt respectively.

For the Cargo model with the largest battery, Kia targets a range of over 460 kilometers. Here’s an important footnote: this is a preliminary target based on internal tests, not an officially approved WLTP figure. It also isn’t the range figure for the passenger car version.

Kia Norge claims around 25 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% under optimal conditions. For comparison, we took about half an hour for the same task with the PV5.

The charging time is given using a 350 kW fast charger. This does not mean the car charges at 350 kW – the maximum charging power has not yet been specified.

Another practical advantage is the availability of two charging ports: one at the front for both fast charging and regular AC charging, and an additional AC port on the rear side. This allows you to choose the most suitable option when parking at a charging station.

What’s available in Norway?

There are several possible answers to this.

Kia Norway emphasizes that neither the prices in Norway, the model variants, nor the launch date have been confirmed. Therefore, it is too early to determine which seating and drivetrain options Norwegian customers will receive.

We also lack information on the curb weight and payload for the Passenger version. For large families, seat count alone is not enough: the car must also be able to handle the weight of passengers and luggage.

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The post More space – and all-wheel drive are coming soon appeared first on Norsk elbilforening.