logo
Kia debuts the PV5 WAV, a wheelchair-ready electric van

Kia debuts the PV5 WAV, a wheelchair-ready electric van

Engadget13-05-2025
Kia has introduced a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) iteration of its first electric van. The PV5 WAV offers several accessibility features, such as a side-entry system so a wheelchair user can board the van from the sidewalk, and a quick-use entry ramp rated for 300kg (661 lbs). It's equipped with a tip-up seat in the third row so other riders can assist a wheelchair passenger from the side. The PV5 WAV also has a wheelchair-specific belt fastening system.
The brand collaborated with Motability Operations on the debut of the PV5 WAV. Motability Operations is a long-term partner of the UK's vehicle leasing plan that helps people with disabilities to have an accessible mode of transportation.
"By integrating cutting-edge Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) technology with thoughtful design, we are paving the way for a future where everyone can enjoy the benefits of sustainable mobility, and our partnership with Motability Operations is a testament to our commitment to making this vision a reality," Sangdae Kim, executive vice president and head of Kia's PBV Division, said. The PBV tech has been the foundation for a few of Kia's new vehicle announcements over the past year, including at CES 2024 .
The standard model of the PV5, Kia's first electric van, recently began pre-orders in the UK. Kia hasn't shared pricing information yet about the WAV model, but the non-WAV version retails starting at £32,995 (about $44,000).
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I'm a Mechanic: 6 Electric Vehicles I Would Buy and Why They Are Worth It
I'm a Mechanic: 6 Electric Vehicles I Would Buy and Why They Are Worth It

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

I'm a Mechanic: 6 Electric Vehicles I Would Buy and Why They Are Worth It

Thinking about buying an electric vehicle (EV)? They're a good option if you want to save money on gas and maintenance and reduce your carbon footprint, but not all EVs are built the same. Be Aware: Find Out: According to car experts, some models stand out for their reliability, performance and long-term value. To help narrow down your search, here are EVs they recommend and why they're worth a closer look. And while you're on the hunt for an electric, make sure you avoid these rides. Tesla Model 3 MSRP: $44,130 to $56,630 'Tesla tops the list for me. Model 3 is the best of them all. They are futuristic styled. They have all the features one would want in a vehicle, especially in the electronics aspect. They have good battery life and battery distance,' Chris Pyle, auto expert with JustAnswer, the expert on-demand platform, wrote in an email. It also retains its value as long as you trade them in before the battery starts to wear out, he noted. But that could take years. According to Insurify, the average lifespan of a Tesla battery is between $300,000 to $500,000 miles, or 15 to 20 years of use. 'Tesla's battery system is unique, and in many ways, it's superior to what other brands offer,' added Melanie Musson, an auto expert with Its placement and weight is another pro, Musson pointed out, which can help the Model 3 maintain balance on the road and handle corners well. Trending Now: Lucid Air MSRP: $71,400 to $250,500 According to Pyle, the Lucid Air, a luxury sedan that first launched in the 2022 model year, is often seen at the top of lists. Its recent launch and price also mean it's a rarity on the road. Pyle has never seen or talked to anyone who's driven one, but he said it looks great. 'The distance to empty is at the higher range. Downfall though, is that the car is very expensive and when it breaks, finding a shop near you will be next to impossible, but EVs rarely go to the shop,' he wrote. Ford F-150 Lightning MSRP: $56,975 to $87,190 Want something tough but environmentally friendly? Musson recommends the Ford F-150 Lightning. 'Drivers who are looking for something that can handle off-road situations praise the Lightning for its toughness,' Musson wrote. It's powerful yet quiet, and comes with top-of-the-line features. 'It's a good mix of rugged traditional truck capabilities and luxurious modern electric mechanics,' Musson added. 'The Lightning holds its value well, which is not something many EVs have been able to do.' Hyundai Ioniq 6, Kia EV4 and Kia Niro EV Ioniq 6 MSRP: $39,095 and $52,345 Kia EV4 MSRP: $37,000 to $50,000 Kia Niro EV MSRP: $40,0995 and $45,523 When it comes to budget-friendly EVs with solid range and reliability, Hyundai and Kia are hard to ignore. 'Although I think the Ioniq is ugly, Kia and Hyundai are putting in the work to make affordable vehicles that have what you need, most of what you want and the longevity and low repair costs you expect,' Pyle claimed. He also pointed out that both brands choose to focus on longevity, low repair costs and repeat customers rather than a wow moment with sleek designs. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 These Cars May Seem Expensive, but They Rarely Need Repairs 3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldn't Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance (And 2 Reasons They Should) This article originally appeared on I'm a Mechanic: 6 Electric Vehicles I Would Buy and Why They Are Worth It

Tested: 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line Is Almost a Hot Hatch
Tested: 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line Is Almost a Hot Hatch

Edmunds

time2 days ago

  • Edmunds

Tested: 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line Is Almost a Hot Hatch

The elephant in the room, however, is the EV6's weight. At our test track, it weighed a substantial 4,746 pounds. Still, that didn't stop it from posting some impressive numbers. It dealt with the run to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, shaving 0.1 second off Kia's advertised time. For context, the Civic Type R needed 5.5 seconds, while the GR Corolla took a pedestrian 5.9 seconds. Only the Golf R and its 4.5-second run manage to outsprint the GT-Line. When its front splitter was still attached, the Kia retained its lead through the quarter mile. During our testing, it managed a 13.5-second time at 99.3 mph, a run that still enables it to best its Honda and Toyota rivals while falling just short of the rapid Volkswagen. Hot hatch thrills? Not so much. While the Kia's added heft doesn't hamper its straight-line acceleration performance, it turned out to be a different story as we moved on to other tests. When it came time to stop from 60 mph, the EV6 managed a disappointing distance of 123 feet. For context, that's just 4 feet shy of a Chevy Tahoe RST. Stack it up against those aforementioned hot hatches, and every single one bests the GT-Line's stopping distance by over 10 feet. As such, you'll carry more speed off the line, but you'll also have to get on the brakes far sooner.

The case for GM's Mary Barra as one of the greatest automotive CEOs
The case for GM's Mary Barra as one of the greatest automotive CEOs

USA Today

time2 days ago

  • USA Today

The case for GM's Mary Barra as one of the greatest automotive CEOs

General Motors' bold agreement to jointly develop five vehicles with Hyundai-Kia solidifies CEO Mary Barra's status as a transformative leader of a company that long seemed adrift. The deal encompasses gasoline, hybrid and electric power trains, deepening the giant automakers' alliance. They expect the vehicles' sales to top 800,000 a year. The vehicles include: The plan leverages each company's strengths. GM will lead development of the midsize pickup platform. Hyundai takes point on the others. The van will be built in the United States as soon as 2028. The other vehicles go on sale in 2028. Expect production in South America. An automaker that pivots News that GM will extend production of the Cadillac XT5 luxury SUV in Spring Hill, Tennessee — with updates to keep it relevant in an intensely competitive segment — is consistent with a hallmark of Barra's tenure. Barra has instilled adaptability in place of a corporate culture that seemed frozen in the headlights of change. Managing change Thus far, GM has managed the transition to electric power better than any mass manufacturer — with the possible exception of its seemingly unflappable partners at Hyundai-Kia. GM has introduced a broad range of appealing EVs — Cadillac Optiq, Vistiq, Lyriq and Escalade IQ; electric versions of the Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer, Silverado; premium EVs at GMC — while continuing to roll out first-rate internal combustion models. That bank shot has kept GM's core moneymaking vehicles fresh and competitive and allowed it to react to changing regulatory and market conditions. With a new generation of full-size pickups and SUVs around the corner, GM's prospects should get brighter over the next four to five years. Barra's leadership — and close collaboration with longtime professional partner, GM President Mark Reuss — has seen the automaker through upheavals ranging from a global pandemic to an administration undoing decades of trade, energy and environmental policy. 2026 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcats: New 'jailbroken' model will offer 6 million customization combos Not every idea worked There have been mistakes. GM grievously underestimated the difficulty it would have building electric vehicle batteries at new U.S. plants. It should have kept the popular, affordable Chevrolet Bolt EV in production at least another 18 months. GM overestimated the adoption pace of electric pickups, but turned that miscalculation to its advantage, sidestepping tariffs by moving full-size pickup production to the plant where it had planned to build EV pickups. Going all-in on EVs left GM with a lack of competitive hybrids. Playing catch-up now, the new ones coming in 18 months or so better be outstanding. Some will likely come from the repurposed Orion Assembly plant. GM's decadelong, $10 billion autonomous-vehicle program continued after Ford and most others bailed out of self-driving cars. Most worrisome, it's unclear whether GM can succeed long-term in China. Despite those missteps, the trend line is positive. GM's leadership has been consistent in an era of upheaval. It invests ambitiously and largely well, developing a sensible and forward-looking range of vehicles and drivetrains. How's the competition doing? Other mass manufacturers have stumbled more. Stocking GM's cupboard Barra built a strong team. GM grew from a company that struggled to attract talent outside the Midwest to one with its pick from top organizations, and it gets raided for talent by the likes of Amazon and eBay. Tellingly, Ford recently named former GM, Amazon and Alto Pharmacy executive Alicia Boler Davis to head its crucial Ford Pro unit. It's time to acknowledge that Barra and Reuss form one of the best C-suite duos in automotive history. They labored together through years when poor planning and financial pressure kept GM from building the best vehicles its people could create. Determined not to go back, they'll be a tough act to follow. Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@ Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store