Toyota Hilux Single Cab vs KIA K2500

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.

Toyota Hilux Single Cab in South Africa

Toyota Hilux Single Cab

2.4 GD-6 4X4 RAIDER 6MT Diesel 6-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 636,300 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 400 Nm ⛽ 13.2 km/l
VS
KIA K2500 in South Africa

KIA K2500

2.5TD Tipper Diesel 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 460,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 70 kW 🔧 225 Nm ⛽ 9.5 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Toyota Hilux Single Cab vs KIA K2500: the short answer

Hilux Single Cab has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over K2500.

Hilux Single Cab starts ZAR 98,795 cheaper Hilux Single Cab from ZAR 326,200 · K2500 from ZAR 424,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Hilux Single Cab K2500
Maximum Power Hilux Single Cab110 kW @ 3400 rpm K250070 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque Hilux Single Cab400 Nm K2500225 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Engine Size Hilux Single Cab2393 cc K25002498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Hilux Single Cab13.2 km/l K25009.5 km/l
Ground Clearance Hilux Single Cab269 mm K2500195 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.

Toyota Hilux Single Cab

2.4 GD-6 4X4 RAIDER 6MT

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 K2500

2.5TD 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

Hilux Single Cab

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

K2500

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?

Hilux Single Cab

  • 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

K2500

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Hilux Single Cab K2500
Model Introduced Year 2020 2000
Generation Eighth-generation Hilux Single Cab in Toyota South Africa's current range Long-running commercial truck; second generation with D4BH engine
Facelift History Current eighth-generation Toyota South Africa Hilux range Updated periodically; current specification ongoing production
Facelift Launched Since 2025 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current South African specification Current
Body Style Pickup Van
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Bakkie Van
Vehicle Type Pickup Van
Color Note - White (standard fleet specification)
Dealer Stock Note - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Tare Mass Kg - 1980 kg
Spec Hilux Single Cab K2500
Length 5325 mm 5160 mm
Width 1855 mm 1900 mm
Height 1795 mm 2120 mm
Wheelbase 3085 mm 2890 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 269 mm 195 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 185 mm 145 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 75 l
Boot/Cargo Space 484 l 3000 l
Kerb Weight 2203 kg 1980 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2870 kg 3500 kg
Payload Capacity 850 kg 1000 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 1400 kg
Seating Capacity 2 seats 3 seats
Number of Rows 1 rows 1 rows
Doors 2 doors 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.4 m 12.5 m
Front Headroom 992 mm 1010 mm
Rear Headroom Not Applicable Not Applicable
Front Legroom 1040 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom Not Applicable Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This Hilux Single Cab and K2500 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: Hilux Single Cab 67 vs K2500 41.

Efficiency index: Hilux Single Cab 61 vs K2500 40.

Safety-equipment index: Hilux Single Cab 93 vs K2500 0.

Practicality index: Hilux Single Cab 74 vs K2500 71.

Ownership-cover index: Hilux Single Cab not separately scored vs K2500 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

Hilux Single Cab leads by 34 points

Hilux Single Cab has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over K2500.

Evidence leader 74 /100
Lead 34 points
Data 72% source coverage
74
#1 Evidence leader

Hilux Single Cab

72% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 61
Performance 67
Efficiency 61
Safety 93
Practicality 74
Leads by 34 points
40
#2

K2500

84% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 71 Check Safety 0
Performance 41
Efficiency 40
Safety 0
Practicality 71
Ownership 49
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Hilux Single Cab +26 Efficiency Hilux Single Cab +21 Safety Hilux Single Cab +93 Practicality Hilux Single Cab +3

Large difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Hilux Single Cab

Performance 67/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 74/100

K2500

Performance 41/100
Efficiency 40/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 71/100
Ownership 49/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Toyota Hilux Single Cab leads the specification evidence index with 74 pts vs 40 pts for K2500

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Hilux Single Cab leads. However, K2500 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Hilux Single Cab vs K2500 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.