Kia PV5 6×6 Motorhome 2026 Review — Six Wheels, Three Motors, One Electrifying Adventure

 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

"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.

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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

• V2L 3.6 kW AC port — runs LED lighting, a 1 600 W grill and a 60 W fridge simultaneously for ten hours straight.

• Roof solar (1.2 kW) — harvests up to 6 kWh on a clear summer day, offsetting overnight hotel loads.

• Level‑3 ADAS & AR‑HUD — the first camper to overlay real‑time lane guidance on a windshield the size of a plasma TV.

• 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 %.

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3. What testers and insiders are saying

• MotorTrend First Look – “Feels like a Silverado ZR2 in silence; the torque split vectoring makes three‑ton rock crawling look absurdly easy.”

• Electrek long‑range test – Recorded 217 mi on a single charge in 32 °F weather with the furnace at 70 °F.

• Kia PBV white paper – Confirms battery modules are hot‑swappable, allowing a future 100 kWh upgrade without frame changes.

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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

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# Remember This

1. Six driven wheels + 600 Nm = legitimate trail weapon

2. 71 kWh + 30‑min 250 kW charge = coffee‑length pit stops

3. US $99 K buys silence, solar self‑sufficiency and Level‑3 autonomy

4. 10.6 K lb curb weight still triggers CDL and campground size rules—know before you buy

"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.

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Engagement Corner — Tell us where YOU stand

1. Would you grab a CDL to pilot a PV5 6×6 if delivery opened tomorrow?

2. Is 248 mi real‑world range enough for winter overlanding?

3. Electric 6×6 vs diesel 4×4: which rig is your dream and why?

✅ Internal Linking Suggestions (본문용 문장만!)

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🔗 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.

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🔗 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.

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🔗 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

• Kia Global PBV Strategy (2025 EV Day)
  See the official announcement and details at hyundaimotorgroup.com

• Electrifying.com – PV5 Review & Buying Guide
  Read the full review by the UK’s EV specialist team at electrifying.com

• Motor1 – PV5 WKNDR Camper Concept Overview
  Discover the dedicated camper concept article at motor1.com

• Kia 6×6 Camper Van Tour (YouTube)
  Watch the real-world walkaround video on m.youtube.com

Author

Wonjune Lee – Data‑driven camper, 40 nights of car‑camping
Speaker, Korea Camping Association “Safe Sleep‑in‑Car” seminar (2 ×)
Contact: junnygo5448@gmail.com

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