Volkswagen Amarok vs KIA K2700

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Volkswagen Amarok in South Africa

Volkswagen Amarok

DC Aventura 3.0 V6 TDI 4Motion 10AT Diesel Current
ZAR 1,259,700 ex-showroom
⚡ 184 kW 🔧 600 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
VS
KIA K2700 in South Africa

KIA K2700

2.7D Workhorse Tipper Diesel 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 404,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 56 kW 🔧 152 Nm ⛽ 10.5 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Volkswagen Amarok vs KIA K2700: the short answer

Amarok has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over K2700.

K2700 starts ZAR 244,805 cheaper Amarok from ZAR 596,800 · K2700 from ZAR 351,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Amarok K2700
Maximum Power Amarok184 kW K270056 kW @ 3200 rpm
Maximum Torque Amarok600 Nm K2700152 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Engine Size Amarok2993 cc K27002665 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Amarok14.5 km/l K270010.5 km/l
Ground Clearance Amarok237 mm K2700195 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Volkswagen Amarok

DC Aventura 3.0 V6 TDI 4Motion 10AT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

KIA K2700

2.7D Workhorse Tipper

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Amarok

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

K2700

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

Amarok

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

K2700

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Amarok K2700
Model Introduced Year 2010 1997
Generation Latest Amarok generation brings improved performance and modern safety features Long-running light commercial vehicle; established in SA commercial fleet market
Facelift History Major redesign in 2023 introducing new platform, updated engines, and advanced tech Updated in 2005, 2012; current model ongoing production with specification updates
Facelift Launched Since 2023 2012
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Pickup Van
Body Type Cab Pickup -
Color Note White, Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, Red White (standard fleet specification)
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note 4x4 configuration for the local line-up -
Model Year Current 2026
Production Status published active
Segment Pickup Van
Tare Mass Kg 2023 kg 1880 kg
Vehicle Type Pickup Van
Spec Amarok K2700
Length 5350 mm 4870 mm
Width 1910 mm 1840 mm
Height 1884 mm 2060 mm
Wheelbase 3270 mm 2685 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 237 mm 195 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 70 l
Kerb Weight 2023 kg 1880 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3190 kg 2850 kg
Payload Capacity 1167 kg 1300 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 1180 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 2 seats
Doors 4 doors 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 12.93 m 11.4 m
Front Headroom - 1010 mm
Front Legroom - 1040 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 145 mm
Number of Rows - 1 rows
Boot/Cargo Space - 3000 l
Rear Headroom - Not Applicable
Rear Legroom - Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This Amarok and K2700 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Amarok 91 vs K2700 32.

Efficiency index: Amarok 57 vs K2700 43.

Safety-equipment index: Amarok 82 vs K2700 0.

Practicality index: Amarok 87 vs K2700 68.

Ownership-cover index: Amarok not separately scored vs K2700 49.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Amarok leads by 44 points

Amarok has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over K2700.

Evidence leader 81 /100
Lead 44 points
Data 64% source coverage
81
#1 Evidence leader

Amarok

64% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 91 Check Efficiency 57
Performance 91
Efficiency 57
Safety 82
Practicality 87
Leads by 44 points
37
#2

K2700

84% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Practicality 68 Check Safety 0
Performance 32
Efficiency 43
Safety 0
Practicality 68
Ownership 49
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Amarok +59 Efficiency Amarok +14 Safety Amarok +82 Practicality Amarok +19

Large difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Amarok

Performance 91/100
Efficiency 57/100
Safety 82/100
Practicality 87/100

K2700

Performance 32/100
Efficiency 43/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 68/100
Ownership 49/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Volkswagen Amarok leads the specification evidence index with 81 pts vs 37 pts for K2700

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Amarok leads. However, K2700 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Amarok vs K2700 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.