Kia’s Crowd-Favorite Van Is Leveling Up with a Clever New Camper Option

There’s a slick sleepaway conversion on the way for for the PV5 that promises camping-ready refinements inside and out.

Rear side view of a blue Vantrack camper van with an open tailgate and a red rooftop tent labeled "Zelt.

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Since Kia pulled the wraps off the PV5 back last year, the slippery electric van has remained tantalizingly out of reach for US buyers. Mind you, that’s even with reports of Stateside testing.

It’s unfortunate, because in addition to undercutting rivals like the Volkswagen ID. Buzz by a hefty margin, the Korean EV is also increasingly showing its potential with camper conversions.

Gray Kia Vantrack LC LightCamp camper van with rear hatch open and pull-out kitchen setup by a lakeside. — Vantrack’s conversion looks pretty unassuming at first glance.

Vantrack’s forthcoming option is a case in point. By pairing a premium design with some clever modular integration, the Dutch outfit has managed to turn the Kia into an impressive sleeper.

Simple but effective

Vantrack is calling it the LightCamp, and it’s an offering that now currently exists as the pictured concept. However, following an overwhelming response, it’s bound for production.

Gray and black Kia LightCamp camper van with sliding door open and roof hatch raised, parked on grass indoors. — Pop the hatch and start pulling features like the stovetop, though, and the PV5’s camper potential is a lot clearer.

It’s not hard to see why. Through its efforts to make the PV5 into a camper, Vantrack has created what it’s calling “a new form of mobility in which vehicle, interior, shelter and outdoor space merge into a single lightweight and flexible system.”

Abstract as that sounds, it really just means that the Kia benefits from a clever, comprehensive camping conversion. That includes a 51-inch-by-74-inch slide-out bed, a skylight and roof platform, as well as a neatly hidden storage and a slick little cook station.

Rear view of a van with a black Exped mattress on a Vantrack bed frame and a portable stove inside. — The pull-out sink and cooktop nestle beneath the bed platform.

In combination with the ZELT pop-top tent, it makes for a robust setup. The sink and stovetop can be deployed away from the van, and the integrated hatch provides access to the elevated quarters from below.

Moreover, because of the modularity of pieces like the bed and the storage, Vantrack’s LC system can easily be removed (barring the skylight and roof rack, of course) to accommodate day-to-day use.

Compact van kitchen setup with a small sink, faucet, wooden cutting board, and a foldable table labeled "Vantrack. — The furnishings are clean and minimalist.

The bare necessities

Even still, the LightCamp conversion isn’t lacking when it comes to its living provisions.

For instance, along with an 11L portable water system complete with a sink, Vantrack is touting an 18L compressor fridge, as well as an induction stovetop. In other words, you’ll have everything you need to handle prep and cooking.

Diagram of a van with an open rear door, a pop-up roof hatch, and a slide-out kitchen unit extending from the side door. — The skylight and rooftop tent really *elevate* the PV5 as a camper.

Elsewhere, the interior bed platform includes a pair of Exped Luxemat air mattresses to ensure a good night’s sleep. To that end, there are refinements like blackout blinds, a bug screen and an expandable awning.

Moreover, Vantrack’s conversion even makes accommodations for mobile power thanks to the PV5’s factory capabilities. In addition to a sweet ‘Camp Mode’ function that runs climate control and power supply functions while parked, it also boasts Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) 230V AC power output up to 3.6 kW.

In any event, it all adds up to a unique take on a camper conversion that strikes a balance between full- and part-time rig.

Gray compact camper van with open sliding door and rear hatch, featuring a red rooftop tent and pull-out kitchenette. — The roof hatch remains in place, while other components can be removed for day-to-day use.

Availability and pricing

According to the Vantrack website, the production LightCamp is set for debut this September. Based on the PV5 Passenger Essential trim, prices are set to start from €65,000 (~$74,000).

Though this makes for a pretty hefty premium on top of Kia’s EV, it still makes for one of the more affordable ways to get into the space. Let’s just hope we eventually get such an option in the States.

Dark gray camper van with roof tent and rear hatch open showing pull-out kitchen setup by a lakeside.

Vantrack Kia PV5 LightCamp

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About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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