Kia Pv5 vs LDV Deliver 9

What's the difference?

The all-new PV5 Cargo is Kia’s first full-electric van which expands the popular Korean brand’s growing electrified vehicle range into Australia’s light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.

Designed from the ground up on Kia’s new E-GMP.S chassis platform, which is specifically designed for current and future electric LCV applications, the PV5 eliminates the compromises often associated with adapted internal combustion engine (ICE) platforms to optimise interior space, ease of loading and drivetrain efficiency with 400km-plus driving range.

It has not only won the prestigious 2026 International Van of the Year award but its compact dimensions also carve out a new niche for buyers wanting a vehicle larger than a small van (under 2.5-tonne GVM) but more compact than a mid-size one (2.5 to 3.5-tonne GVM).

We recently spent a working week behind the wheel to see if this purpose-built full-electric newcomer has what it takes to win over Aussie van buyers.

There are currently 14 rivals competing for customers in the Light Duty or LD (3501-8000kg GVM) segment of Australia’s heavy commercial vehicle market. Business buyers and fleet operators are thick on the ground here and competition for their business is fierce.

Chinese brand LDV, a division of the huge SAIC Motor conglomerate which is now the seventh largest automotive company in the world, recently joined this battle with its new Deliver 9 van range that’s priced to entice. We spent a week aboard one to see how LDV’s claim of superior value stacks up when there’s work to be done.