In 2024, Kia kicked things off by unveiling a range of fully-electric commercial vans at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Known as the PBV lineup — short for “Purpose Beyond Vehicles” — this new EV range thus far includes three different models; the PV5 three-row van; the full-sized PV7; and the pint-sized PV1. Fast forward to today and the Korean carmaker has returned to Vegas, this time to reveal a radical go-anywhere adventure van dubbed the Kia PV5 “WKNDR” Van Concept.
Unveiled at the ongoing SEMA Show, Kia’s PV5 “WKNDR” Concept puts a thoroughly modern spin on 1980s era conversion vans while also drawing inspiration from modern Sprinter-style adventure rigs. Appropriately referred to by Kia as “a Swiss Army Knife on wheels,” the entire thing has been engineered from the ground up to be as modular as possible, too.
Like retro conversion vans, the inter of the PV5 WKNDR features a modular seating configuration that allows each pilot’s chair to be rotated or removed, plus there’s a modular table that can also be relocated or pulled entirely.
The highlight of the cabin, however, is almost certainly the van’s so-called “Gear Head.” This first-of-its-kind feature provides a modular off-board, sheltered storage space for housing gear when the vehicle is stationary. This opens up space in the cabin that would otherwise be packed with gear.
The PV5 “WKNDR” wasn’t just built for off-roading, but also overlanding, and as such comes outfitted with a host of features that bring the creature comforts of home to the backcountry such as dual fold-out awnings and a hard-shelled rooftop tent capped off with solar panels. What’s more, the interior’s Gear Head can also be converted into a mobile kitchen, too.
The stock PV5 has been transformed into a bonafide adventure rig thanks to a series of off-road-focused upgrades and modifications. This includes a roof-mounted LED strip light bar, an onboard air compressor, bespoke rock sliders, and a futuristic-looking custom front bumper complete with an integrated winch, tow hooks, yellow auxiliary lights, and a digital display readout. The concept has also been treated to a lift kit, new custom wheels wrapped in beefier off-road tires, and flared fenders at all four corners that open up space for the van’s new larger wheel-set and increased suspension travel.
As a brand-new electric vehicle, the PV5 WKNDR unsurprisingly comes loaded with a grip of cutting-edge features and tech. This includes smartphone connectivity, over-the-air updates, a second-generation digital key, a Vehicle-to-Lead system that allows the EV’s battery to function as a power bank. It doesn’t end there though, as the concept also boasts integrated solar panels and hydro turbine wheels that can actually recharge the batteries as the van.
Alongside the PBV-based WKNDR, Kia also brought an accompanying off-road SUV concept to SEMA dubbed the EV9 ADVNTR Concept. Based on the marque’s EV9, this all-electric three-row concept gains a slew of off-road bits ranging from a 3” lift to reinforced rocker panels to a custom roof rack to a rooftop tent to bespoke off-road wheels and tires.
Class: Electric Adventure Van Concept
Brand: Kia
Model: PV5 “WKNDR” Concept
Base Model: Kia PV5
Powertrain: Electric Motor
Length: 185”
Width: 74.8”
Height: 74.8″
As a factory-built one-off concept, Kia’s new PV5 “WKNDR” Concept isn’t for sale and won’t be entering production. The PV5 “WKNDR” — and the EV9 ADVNTR Concept — will be on display at the ongoing SEMA Show in Las Vegas through the end of the week.
Kia closes out the year by bringing a modular off-road adventure van to SEMA that’s based on the marque’s freshly-unveiled PV5 commercial and passenger van.
