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The Kia PV5 is already establishing itself in the UK family MPV market, and Kia has now taken a significant step to make the model more accessible by unveiling a new wheelchair-accessible version with a side-loading ramp. The PV5 WAV Side Entry, revealed ahead of its display at the Motability Scheme Live in Birmingham, aims to broaden options for wheelchair users at a moment when electric WAV choices are increasingly important.
Design and access
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The most visible change is the side-entry ramp, engineered to simplify boarding from pavement level. The ramp measures 74cm across, is illuminated for low-light use and is rated to carry up to 300kg. When deployed the ramp presents a maximum gradient of 13.1 degrees, which reduces to around 11 degrees when used from a 150mm kerb — a detail that matters for everyday usability on streets and lay-bys.
Conversion specialist GM Coachwork has reworked the interior layout: the middle row of seats is removed to create a clear wheelchair bay, while split-folding rear seats allow the PV5 WAV to still accommodate a passenger behind the wheelchair. If no wheelchair is aboard, the vehicle can be configured to seat five in a 2-0-3 arrangement.
Powertrain and range
Kia will offer the WAV on the same powertrain options as the standard PV5 Passenger. Buyers can choose between two battery sizes:
- 51.5kWh battery — roughly 120bhp and an estimated WLTP range of about 175 miles.
- 71.2kWh battery — around 161bhp with up to approximately 243 miles between charges.
Both batteries support DC rapid charging, with the manufacturer stating a 10–80% charge can be achieved in roughly 30 minutes — an important factor for users needing rapid turnarounds on longer journeys.
Other WAV variants and driver-access models
The side-entry version will be offered alongside several rear-entry WAV conversions. Among these, one layout is notable because it allows a wheelchair user to drive without transferring seats: removable front seats and extendable pedals make direct driving from a wheelchair possible in that specification.
Initial WAV models appear to be based on the PV5 Passenger Plus trim, so customers can expect equipment such as a 12.9-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and a reversing camera as standard or near-standard fitments.
Cost and availability
Exact retail prices have not yet been published. For Motability customers, though, Advance Payments are expected to open later this year and will probably start below £10,000 — a figure the manufacturer says undercuts the cheapest alternative from the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric WAV by at least £4,000.
That pricing positioning could make the PV5 WAV an appealing option for disabled drivers and carers negotiating the often-tight budgets of specialist vehicles, especially as more conversions move to electric platforms.
Why this matters now
The sector for wheelchair-accessible vehicles is at a junction: demand is rising even as the industry phases out internal-combustion donor vehicles commonly used for conversions. Manufacturers and converters are therefore racing to deliver factory-backed or approved electric WAVs that meet regulatory and daily-use needs.
GM Coachwork and Kia say the PV5 WAV line-up is intended to help fill that gap by offering purpose-built EV conversions rather than adapting older ICE platforms — a shift with clear implications for accessibility, running costs and emissions.
Key details at a glance:
- Ramp width: 74cm; max load: 300kg; illuminated for night-time boarding.
- Ramp gradient: 13.1° max, 11° from 150mm kerb.
- Seating: 2-0-3 layout when no wheelchair; split-folding rear seats maintain one rear passenger position when wheelchair is aboard.
- Battery options: 51.5kWh (~175 miles) and 71.2kWh (~243 miles).
- Charging: DC rapid capability, ~10–80% in 30 minutes.
- Motability Advance Payment: expected to start under £10,000.
The PV5 WAV Side Entry will be on show at Motability Scheme Live in Birmingham, where visitors can assess how the conversion works in practice. For disabled drivers, carers and fleet buyers, the new model represents a notable addition to a market that has so far had limited electrified choices.
