4 Berth Electric Campervan design with belted seats and optional pop-top roof
The Mandalay is one of two designs we offer for the Kia PV5. Where our Chamonix has a pull-out slat bed and prioritises sleeping comfort, the Mandalay takes a different approach. A rock and roll bed that converts from rear-facing seats during the day to a double bed at night, with up to four belted seats in total.
If you carry rear passengers occasionally, or you want a campervan that can also act as a daily driver for the family, the Mandalay is the right choice for you.
Important Note on Visuals & Our New Kia Campervan
Please note that the photos and sketches provided on this page are for demonstration purposes and feature the VW Caddy.
We are excited to announce that we are now offering the Chamonix conversion for Kia Campervans. If you choose a Kia conversion with us, you will own one of the first in the UK. To celebrate this launch, we will conduct an official professional photoshoot of your specific van once completed, providing you with high-quality images of your unique build.
What’s Included in a Sunbox Kia PV5 Mandalay
A standard Mandalay build includes everything you need to camp comfortably:
Sleeping and seating
- 2-berth rock and roll bed with two three-point seatbelts (up to 4 belted seats total)
- Cushions and bedding in your choice of fabric, including recycled options
- Blackout curtains in your choice of colour
- Solid wood removable table
Kitchen
- Hand-built wooden kitchen unit with solid wood worktop
- Stainless steel sink with electric water pump and tank
- 12V compressor fridge
- Double induction hob (runs from V2L)
Materials and finish
- Thermafleece CosyWool sheep’s wool insulation in every panel and cavity
- Sound-deadening on critical panels
- Breathable carpet lining throughout
- FSC-certified solid hardwood furniture in your choice of finish
- Vinyl flooring in your choice of style
Electrical and lighting
- 200Ah lithium leisure battery for 12V loads (lights, fridge, water pump, USB)
- V2L integration for 240V sockets and induction hob
- Battery-to-battery charging from auxiliary while driving and from V2L on demand
- EHU (mains hookup) connection
- LED lighting throughout, with USB and USB-C sockets
The Sunbox build approach
- Every interior panel stripped back to bare metal before insulation
- Hand-built furniture in our Newhaven workshop
- 5-year Sunbox conversion warranty on workmanship and installed materials
- 7-year Kia vehicle warranty (passed through)
- 8-year Kia drive battery warranty (passed through)
Your van interior will include:
- Carpet or wood lining in a range of colours/styles
- Flooring by Polyflor
- Upholstery fabric in a range of styles
- Black out curtains in a range of colours
- Solid wooden furniture and worktops fitted by skilled carpenters
If you sign up to our build-to order queue we will send over details on the entire range of choices so you can make an informed decision. Find out more about the campervan interior options that would be available to you on our finishes page.
ExpandPop-top roof and roof bed (recommended for 4-berth)
The Drivelodge pop-top transforms the Mandalay from a 2-berth into a 4-berth and adds standing headroom inside.
- Drivelodge pop-top (elevating roof, standing headroom): £3,200
- Roof bed (2-berth sleeping platform, makes the van 4-berth): £400
- Pop-top colour code (matches vehicle paint): £500
Subtotal pop-top with roof bed and colour code: £4,100
Other optional extras
EcoFlow off-grid back-up (for customers who need extra power back-up, e.g. for medical equipment): Quote on request
Roof solar (200W panel, supply and fit): £960
Configuration B windows (with opening side windows): +£96
Portaloo (discreet portable toilet): Quote on request
The Vehicle: PV5 Cargo Plus Long Range
We build the Mandalay on the PV5 Cargo Plus Long Range. The Plus trim is essential because it includes V2L (the 220V power outlet that runs the kitchen and 240V sockets in our conversion). The Long Range battery (71.2kWh) gives 247 miles WLTP range.
Why the PV5 makes a great campervan base
Generous interior dimensions. 1,400mm headroom and 1,565mm width make for a comfortable double bed and proper standing headroom under a pop-top.
V2L built in. No need for a large inverter to run the induction hob or 240V sockets. The drive battery handles those directly.
Purpose-built EV. Designed from a blank sheet on Kia’s E-GMP.S platform. Low floor, flat loadspace, well-packaged interior.
7-year vehicle warranty plus 8-year battery warranty. Both pass through to you.
Eligible for the £5,000 Plug-in Van Grant. The grant brings the Cargo Plus Long Range to £34,936 inc VAT.
We have a working relationship with Hannah at Kia Birchwood Eastbourne, who can supply PV5s for our customers. You can also order through your local Kia dealer or bring your own PV5 if you already have one.
Pricing
| Build | Price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Standard Mandalay build with pop-top and roof bed (4-berth) | From £62,485 |
| Standard Mandalay build without pop-top (2-berth) | From £58,385 |
Both figures include the vehicle (Cargo Plus Long Range with heat pump and premium paint), the conversion, and Configuration A windows. The 4-berth figure adds the pop-top, roof bed, and colour code.
Two invoices, one van. The vehicle is invoiced by Kia (typically Birchwood Eastbourne); the conversion is invoiced by Sunbox. Staged payments on the conversion.
Lead Times
- Kia order to vehicle delivery: typically 16 weeks
- Sunbox workshop build time: approximately 4 weeks
- Total order to ready-to-collect: approximately 5 months
Best for…
The Mandalay suits you if:
- You have or might have rear passengers (children, occasional adults, friends along for camping trips)
- You’d like the option of using the van as a daily driver as well as for camping
- You want maximum flexibility, with seats by day and bed by night
- You’d like a 4-berth layout for family camping (with pop-top and roof bed)
- You like the idea of a campervan that can do school runs, weekly shops, and weekend trips equally well
If you’re a couple who’d rather have the most generous bed and don’t need rear passenger capacity, the Chamonix is probably a better fit.
Next Steps
Ready to start your Mandalay build? Get in touch to discuss your requirements, talk through the spec, and join our build queue.
Still deciding between Mandalay and Chamonix? Read our Chamonix design overview or come and visit the workshop to see both layouts in person.
Want the full PV5 picture? Visit our Kia PV5 Electric Conversion page for the complete overview of the vehicle, the build, and our approach.