Released through Kia’s official shop in South Korea, the PV5 camping kit reflects how automakers and startups are reshaping vehicles into flexible spaces for work, travel, and everyday life.
VanLab has introduced what it calls the first-ever camping conversion kit for the Kia PV5 Passenger, marking an unusual moment where a modular aftermarket-style product is being positioned as an official “Kia Collection” accessory. Available now through the Kia Shop in South Korea, the kit reflects a growing push to treat electric vans not simply as transportation, but as adaptable living and working environments.
The appeal is rooted in the broader shift toward multi-use vehicles, especially as remote work blurs the boundary between commuting, travel, and leisure. Rather than requiring a permanent camper conversion, VanLab’s flatpack, DIY approach suggests a future where owners can reconfigure interiors as easily as they might rearrange furniture in a small apartment. That kind of flexibility has become increasingly attractive as consumers look for vehicles that justify their cost through versatility, not just performance.
The PV5 kit is designed to preserve everyday practicality while adding camping functionality. According to the release, the second-row seats remain intact to keep five-passenger capacity, while seating can also convert into a full bed. A rotating, height-adjustable modular table system is intended to support both dining and remote work, positioning the vehicle as a hybrid between office and weekend getaway.
The kit also leans into one of the more distinctive features of newer electric vehicles: Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) power. VanLab notes that owners can plug in electrical devices, and the setup includes an outdoor kitchen concept with an induction cooktop and bench space, along with tailgate seating and dining features built into pull-out components. In practice, these details hint at how EV power systems are becoming a selling point beyond range, enabling camping setups that rely less on propane or external generators.
VanLab developed the project alongside Kia and Hyundai CRADLE Silicon Valley, and distribution is being handled through Kia partner Auto&. The company says a rollout is expected in Japan, Europe, and the UK, though whether the Kia PV5 will launch in the U.S. remains undecided.
Beyond a single product launch, the collaboration underscores how automakers are increasingly experimenting with lifestyle-driven accessories as part of their ecosystem strategy. For brands like Kia, offering modular add-ons through official channels may become a way to keep customers engaged long after the vehicle purchase—while also testing how far consumers are willing to go in treating their cars as living spaces.
