The new Kia PV5 van has won a major trophy after being named Best New Van in the 2026 Van Reviewer Awards.
It shares the top step of the Van Reviewer podium with the Ford Ranger PHEV, named Best New Pickup.
Eleven other new vans were named in the van title’s first annual awards. Van Reviewer is an expert commercial vehicle publication that helps UK consumers find the best van or pickup.
The Kia PV5 was named Best New Van ‘following its arrival as one of the most important new electric vans to enter the UK market’.
It has already been named International Van of the Year, and secured a Guinness World Record for EV driving range.
“Kia has made quite an impression with the launch of the first model in its electric van range,” said Van Reviewer editor, George Barrow.
“To produce a van of this quality at the first time of asking shows how seriously Kia has taken its entry into the light commercial vehicle market. The PV5 has impressed at every opportunity, and the bar has been set very high.”
Ranger is the best new pickup
The Ford Ranger PHEV is the first plug-in hybrid version of the UK’s best-selling pickup. It retains four-wheel drive and off-road ability, plus a generous payload and towing performance, while also delivering electric-only driving capability.
“The Ranger PHEV feels like a genuinely well-judged step towards electrification for pickups,” said Barrow.
“Rather than compromising its working ability, the plug-in hybrid system adds flexibility, allowing to operate quietly and efficiently when that matters, while still delivering the capability buyers expect from a Ford Ranger.
“It’s a thoughtful, practical solution that reflects how pickups are actually used, and it makes a strong case for electrification in this segment.”
Van Reviewer Awards 2026 winners
- The full list of winners in the 2026 Van Reviewer Awards is outlined below:
- Best New Van: Kia PV5
- Best New Pickup: Ford Ranger PHEV
- Best Van to Wait For: Renault Trafic E-Tech
- Best Pickup To Wait For: Toyota Hilux BEV
- Best Small Van: Ford Transit Courier
- Best Medium Van: Ford Transit Custom
- Best Large Van: Volkswagen Crafter
- Best Small Electric Van: Ford E-Transit Courier
- Best Medium Electric Van: Ford E-Transit Custom
- Best Large Electric Van: Renault Master E-Tech
- Best Work Pickup: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Commercial
- Best Lifestyle Pick-Up: Ford Ranger Platinum
- Best Converted Van: Citroen e-C3 Van
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