Deep‑dive review of Kia’s 2026 6×6 electric motorhome: specs, 248‑mile winter test, off‑grid V2L, cost vs diesel trucks and five‑point checklist.
1. Is a US $99 K, 11‑foot‑high, 24‑foot‑long electric 6×6 actually usable?
The concept‑only PV5 WKNDR drew a crowd at SEMA 2024, but the soon‑to‑arrive 2026 production PV5 6×6 Motorhome raises three hard questions for anyone who might sign a purchase order.
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Regulation & weight Curb weight sits at roughly 10 600 lb (4.8 t), which means CDL‑like requirements in several U.S. states and bridge restrictions on secondary roads.
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Real‑world range & charging A 71 kWh pack and a promised 248‑mile EPA estimate sound fine—until you factor in overnight heating, induction cooking and a mountain climb.
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Value vs. rivals A forecast price of US $99 000 massively undercuts diesel expedition trucks, yet it is still four times the cost of a traditional towable RV.
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| "Kia PV5 6×6 electric motorhome sprinting through a snowstorm with roof LED bar",Six aggressive 35‑inch tires and instant EV torque turn powder into playground. |
2. Benchmark the numbers, drive the prototype, crunch the costs
2‑1. Spec table: PV5 vs Staria EV Camper vs EarthRoamer HD
| Item | Kia PV5 6×6 | Hyundai Staria EV Camper | EarthRoamer HD |
|---|
| Drive / Torque | 3‑motor AWD, 600 Nm | Single‑motor AWD, 350 Nm | 4×4 diesel, 1 625 Nm |
| Battery / Tank | 71 kWh Li‑ion | 82 kWh | 120 gal diesel + 18 kWh |
| Advertised range | 248 mi (400 km) | 286 mi | 684 mi |
| Ground clearance | 17.7 in | 10.4 in | 15.0 in |
| Wet weight | ≈ 10 600 lb | 7 260 lb | 30 800 lb |
| U.S. price | ≈ US $99 K | US $118 K | US $1.5 M |
2‑2. Off‑grid features that actually matter
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V2L 3.6 kW AC port — runs LED lighting, a 1 600 W grill and a 60 W fridge simultaneously for ten hours straight.
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Roof solar (1.2 kW) — harvests up to 6 kWh on a clear summer day, offsetting overnight hotel loads.
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Level‑3 ADAS & AR‑HUD — the first camper to overlay real‑time lane guidance on a windshield the size of a plasma TV.
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Modular PBV chassis — the box bolts off; swap in a cargo pod or eight‑seat shuttle module in under two hours at a dealer.
2‑3. Cost‑per‑mile simulator (winter scenario)
| Variable | PV5 6×6 | Diesel 4×4 truck |
|---|
| Energy per 100 mi | 28 kWh | 9 gal |
| Unit price | US $0.14 / kWh | US $4.50 / gal |
| Fuel cost 100 mi | US $3.92 | US $40.50 |
| Annual 8 000 mi | US $314 | US $3 240 |
Even after adding a US $1 000/year battery reserve fund, the PV5 still cuts annual running costs by 60 %.
3. What testers and insiders are saying
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MotorTrend First Look – “Feels like a Silverado ZR2 in silence; the torque split vectoring makes three‑ton rock crawling look absurdly easy.”
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Electrek long‑range test – Recorded 217 mi on a single charge in 32 °F weather with the furnace at 70 °F.
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Kia PBV white paper – Confirms battery modules are hot‑swappable, allowing a future 100 kWh upgrade without frame changes.
4. Pros vs Cons — 20‑second cheat sheet
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Zero‑emission drive | Silent, urban‑zone compliant | CCS plugs in national parks still rare |
| 6×6 traction | Sand & snow mastery, 45° rock crawl | 24 ft length hates hair‑pin fire roads |
| All‑in‑one interior | Galley + dinette + queen bed in 215 sq ft | Custom cabinetry = $$$ to repair |
| Running costs | US $0.04/mi in electricity | Battery replacement ≈ US $18‑25 K after decade |
| Price | One‑tenth of a Global X 6×6 | Four times a basic travel trailer |
# Remember This
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Six driven wheels + 600 Nm = legitimate trail weapon
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71 kWh + 30‑min 250 kW charge = coffee‑length pit stops
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US $99 K buys silence, solar self‑sufficiency and Level‑3 autonomy
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10.6 K lb curb weight still triggers CDL and campground size rules—know before you buy
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| "Rear view of matte‑black PV5 6×6 with dual spare tires and gear locker",1.2‑ton payload and twin spares scream expedition‑ready, yet the 4.8‑ton curb weight calls for a CDL. |
Engagement Corner — Tell us where YOU stand
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Would you grab a CDL to pilot a PV5 6×6 if delivery opened tomorrow?
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Is 248 mi real‑world range enough for winter overlanding?
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Electric 6×6 vs diesel 4×4: which rig is your dream and why?
✅ Internal Linking Suggestions (본문용 문장만!)
🔗 Other 6×6 Alternatives (Hyundai 6×6)
👉 For those comparing 6-wheel electric campers, the Hyundai 6×6 EV Motorhome offers a more rugged off-road direction, while Kia’s PV5 maintains a balance between adventure and city usability.
Both target very different lifestyles, despite sharing a similar chassis layout.
🔗 Mid-Tier EV Camper Option (Ford E‑Transit)
👉 If you’re leaning toward a simpler mid-tier layout, the Ford E‑Transit Camper Build shows how a modular design and smart battery setup can create a versatile living space without extra axles.
🔗 Urban Design Philosophy (Nomad22)
👉 Looking for a more compact or city-focused camper?
The Nomad22 EV Camper takes a different route, favoring tight design, rooftop expansion, and minimalistic interiors—while still offering full EV mobility.
🔗 Related External Links
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Kia Global PBV Strategy (2025 EV Day)
See the official announcement and details at hyundaimotorgroup.com
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Electrifying.com – PV5 Review & Buying Guide
Read the full review by the UK’s EV specialist team at electrifying.com
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Motor1 – PV5 WKNDR Camper Concept Overview
Discover the dedicated camper concept article at motor1.com
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Kia 6×6 Camper Van Tour (YouTube)
Watch the real-world walkaround video on m.youtube.com
Drop your answer numbers (1, 2, 3) with a one‑line reason; best takes get pinned!
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