KIA K2500 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.

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
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

KIA K2500 vs KIA K2700: the short answer

K2500 and K2700 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

K2700 starts ZAR 73,000 cheaper K2500 from ZAR 424,995 · K2700 from ZAR 351,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification K2500 K2700
Maximum Power K250070 kW @ 3600 rpm K270056 kW @ 3200 rpm
Maximum Torque K2500225 Nm @ 1500 rpm K2700152 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Engine Size K25002498 cc K27002665 cc
Combined Fuel Economy K25009.5 km/l K270010.5 km/l
Ground Clearance K2500195 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.

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

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

K2500

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

K2700

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

K2500

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

K2700

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec K2500 K2700
Model Introduced Year 2000 1997
Generation Long-running commercial truck; second generation with D4BH engine Long-running light commercial vehicle; established in SA commercial fleet market
Facelift History Updated periodically; current specification ongoing production Updated in 2005, 2012; current model ongoing production with specification updates
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2012
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Van Van
Color Note White (standard fleet specification) White (standard fleet specification)
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Van Van
Tare Mass Kg 1980 kg 1880 kg
Vehicle Type Van Van
Spec K2500 K2700
Length 5160 mm 4870 mm
Width 1900 mm 1840 mm
Height 2120 mm 2060 mm
Wheelbase 2890 mm 2685 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 195 mm 195 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 145 mm 145 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 75 l 70 l
Boot/Cargo Space 3000 l 3000 l
Kerb Weight 1980 kg 1880 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3500 kg 2850 kg
Payload Capacity 1000 kg 1300 kg
Towing Capacity 1400 kg 1180 kg
Seating Capacity 3 seats 2 seats
Number of Rows 1 rows 1 rows
Doors 2 doors 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 12.5 m 11.4 m
Front Headroom 1010 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 K2500 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: K2500 41 vs K2700 32.

Efficiency index: K2500 40 vs K2700 43.

Safety-equipment index: K2500 0 vs K2700 0.

Practicality index: K2500 71 vs K2700 68.

Ownership-cover index: K2500 49 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

K2500 leads by 3 points

K2500 and K2700 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 40 /100
Lead 3 points
Data 84% source coverage
40
#1 Evidence leader

K2500

84% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 71 Check Safety 0
Performance 41
Efficiency 40
Safety 0
Practicality 71
Ownership 49
Leads by 3 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 K2500 +9 Efficiency K2700 +3 Safety Level Practicality K2500 +3 Ownership Level

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

K2500

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

K2700

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index KIA K2500 leads the specification evidence index with 40 pts vs 37 pts for K2700

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, K2500 leads. However, K2700 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

K2500 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.