As key handovers go, T&FME has had some real corkers in recent months. There was the trip to South Korea to take Kia’s PV5 out into the mountains. There was journey both forwards and backwards in time with the eSprinter in October.
Unlike those influencer-friendly settings, my Farizon SV people-mover test drive began in a much more straightforwardly, in a quiet early morning handover at our office car park in Dubai, where the SV sat waiting in full shuttle configuration under already-warm desert sunlight.
And that was fitting in its own way: the Farizon SV isn’t here for theatrics. It’s here to work.
But that doesn’t mean it lacks presence. Much like the CityRay’s understated design, the SV keeps things clean and deliberate. No oversized lighting signatures, no faux-premium touches just.
This is a modern, honest, EV-first people mover that understands its job. What I learned over the next seven days was simple: the Farizon SV may not try to be a lifestyle object, but it is absolutely engineered around how people actually move around cities like Dubai.
Climbing into the SV, the first big surprise is refinement (as noted by the CPI Trade Media team I shuttled about). Compared with other electric vans I’ve tested, the Farizon sits in a sweet spot: more comfortable than the eSprinter, less design-obsessed than the PV5, and more spacious than both.
The cabin is tall, airy and genuinely welcoming. My passengers instantly notice the generous headroom and the wide cabin footprint.
The seats in my test vehicle were well-bolstered without being stiff, and the ride quality is seriously impressive. Over speed bumps, construction patches and Dubai’s occasional uneven asphalt, the SV remained composed and cushioned in ways other van-based shuttles rarely manage.
Air-conditioning — the make-or-break line for any vehicle in this region — was outstanding. Even in the very back row, cabin temperatures stabilised quickly. That’s not always the case in converted passenger vans, but the SV benefits from its purpose-built EV architecture. Fit and finish sit in that “quietly clever” zone. Not luxurious, but well chosen and functional. You won’t find gimmicks; you will find thoughtful practicality.
The Farizon SV doesn’t chase acceleration numbers. I would appreciate more response during slow speed pick-up but its tuning leans toward smoothness at low speeds which is ideal for hotel shuttles, school runs, airport transfers and corporate mobility. Steering is light, visibility is excellent and road noise is conspicuously low. Compared with the PV5 (which feels more ambitious and “tech-forward”) and the eSprinter (which still carries its commercial roots), the SV positions itself as the calm middle ground.
Over a week of mixed use the SV felt consistently predictable. Passengers commented on the quietness, especially at lower speeds, although like other EV vans it does generate wind roar on highways. Regenerative braking is subtle, range performance was respectable even with relatively heavy A/C loads (note: this was not a summer stint), and charging matched the spec sheet without drama.
The Farizon SV reveals a surprisingly cohesive digital, Android-assisted layer. The infotainment system is simple, modern and far better integrated than early-stage Chinese EVs used to be. Connectivity is stable, driver-assist features behave logically; lane assist is helpful rather than an interfering wheel grabber – and the digital dash is clear without being overloaded. The Kia PV5 definitely leads in this department — Kia’s UI polish is excellent — but Farizon really is not far behind. The eSprinter, by comparison, remains functional rather than intuitive, although we know that will change in the upcoming range updates and launches. For now, Farizon’s advantage is consistency; nothing feels half-baked.
Across the entire week, this became the defining takeaway: the Farizon SV is exceptionally good at being a people mover. Whether carrying adults and luggage to the airport, running errands across Dubai, or transporting colleagues between meetings, the SV kept passengers comfortable, cool and quiet. This is where Farizon’s smooth ride really stands out. Where the eSprinter can feel busy and firm, and the PV5 occasionally verges on too sporty, the SV hits that relaxed shuttle sweet spot.
The cabin layout is flexible, the step-in height is easy for passengers of all ages, and the overall sense of space gives the vehicle an immediately approachable feel. It never feels like a converted cargo van — because, fundamentally, it isn’t.
The SV is impressive, but there are still aspects that would benefit from refinement. The suspension, while generally excellent, can feel slightly floaty at higher speeds when the van is fully loaded. Low-speed pedal calibration occasionally hesitates or bites too quickly. Interior storage is limited for both drivers and passengers. Charging performance is good but not exceptional, and the PV5 retains a slight edge in faster recharge times. And while Farizon is building its regional footprint, fleets will naturally look for reassurance around aftersales, parts availability and long-term support. But then Careem is a fan, and Jameel Motors is determined to provide top-quality support.
Viewed from a fleet-management perspective, the SV is a highly compelling option. What it lacks in marketing flash it more than makes up for in operational realism: stable range, a quiet cabin, a relaxed ride, easy passenger access and low driver fatigue. For airport shuttles, hotels, schools, mobility operators and corporate fleets, these factors matter far more than styling flourishes.
If the Kia PV5 is the “digital ecosystem” van, and the current eSprinter is the “heritage engineering” van, the Farizon SV positions itself as the comfort-first workhorse — the van you scale without drama and deploy without needing to rethink your entire operational model.
Verdict: a quietly confident contender
The Farizon SV didn’t try to charm me with an iced latte and influencer lighting — and it didn’t need to. Over a week in Dubai, it did exactly what a well-engineered people mover should do: carry people quietly, comfortably and efficiently, with zero fuss. It doesn’t chase premium, it doesn’t chase gimmicks, and it doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t. It just works — and in the world of fleet mobility, that’s often the highest praise. In a region where air-conditioning performance, comfort, reliability and total cost of ownership dominate the conversation, the Farizon SV stands out as a deeply practical and surprisingly refined electric people mover. A genuinely impressive, quietly confident contender — and clear proof that Farizon is a brand to watch.
