KIA K2500 vs KIA K2700

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

KIA K2500 in South Africa

KIA K2500

2.5TD Tipper Diesel Manual
ZAR 460,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 70 kW 🔧 225 Nm Nm ⛽ 9.5 km/l
VS
KIA K2700 in South Africa

KIA K2700

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

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance K2500
Fuel Economy K2700
🛡 Safety Tie
📦 Practicality K2500
🔑 Ownership Tie
K2700 starts ZAR 424995 cheaper K2500 from ZAR 424,995 · K2700 from ZAR 351,995

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec K2500 K2700
Engine Power 70 kW 56 kW
Torque 225 Nm 152 Nm
Engine Size 2498 cc 2665 cc
Claimed Mileage 9.5 km/l 10.5 km/l
Ground Clearance 195 mm 195 mm
Boot / Load Bay Load bed 2200 x 1600 mm Load bed 1800 x 1500 mm
Airbags 0 0
Kerb Weight 1980 kg 1880 kg
Seating Capacity 3 2
Warranty 5 Years / 150,000 km 5 Years / 150,000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Both K2500 and K2700 are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance K2500 +9 pts
Efficiency K2700 +3 pts
Safety Equal
Practicality K2500 +4 pts
Ownership Equal

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

K2500

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Highway Driving Family Usage

K2700

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

K2500

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

K2700

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec K2500 K2700
Engine 2.5 J2T Inline-4 Turbodiesel 2.7 J2 Inline-4 Diesel Naturally Aspirated
Engine Type Inline 4 Cylinder Turbodiesel Inline 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated Diesel
Engine Code J2T J2
Cylinder Layout Inline 4 (I4) Inline 4 (I4)
Cylinders 4 4
Valves per Cylinder 8 8
Displacement 2498 cc 2665 cc
Engine Displacement 2498 cc 2665 cc
Engine Aspiration Turbocharged Naturally Aspirated
Induction Turbocharged Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharger Yes No
Piston Stroke 96.0 mm 96.0 mm
Compression Ratio 18.0:1 20.0:1
Fuel System Direct Injection Turbodiesel Direct Injection
Fuel Grade Required B7 Diesel B7 Diesel
Variable Valve Timing No No
Engine Position Front Transverse Front Transverse
Engine Oil Capacity 8.0 l 7.5 l
Max Power kW 70 kW 56 kW
Power 70 kW 56 kW
Power 94 bhp 75 bhp
Power @ RPM 3,600 rpm 3,200 rpm
Max Torque Nm 225 Nm 152 Nm
Torque 225 Nm 152 Nm
Torque @ RPM 1,500 rpm 2,000 rpm
Maximum Engine RPM 4,000 rpm 3,500 rpm
Top Speed 140 km/h 130 km/h
Engine Displacement Cc 2498 cc 2665 cc
Engine Power kW 70 kW 56 kW
Engine Torque Nm 225 Nm 152 Nm
Maximum Power 70 kW 56 kW
Maximum Torque 225 Nm 152 Nm
Engine Cylinders 4 4
Engine Valves 8 8
Power kW Rpm 3,600 rpm 3,200 rpm
Torque Nm Rpm 1,500 rpm 2,000 rpm
Turbo Type Turbocharged Naturally Aspirated
Power Assisted Steering Electric Power Assisted Electric Power Assisted
Charging Port - -
AC Charging Time - -
EV Range - -
Motor Position - -
Motor Power - -
Motor Torque - -
Motor Type - -
System Output - -
Combined System Power - -
Combined System Torque - -
Active Exhaust - -
Engine Displacement Litres 2498 cc 2665 cc
0-100 km/h - -
0–100 km/h - -
Acceleration 0 100 - -
Cylinder Bore 91.0 mm 94.0 mm
Battery Capacity - -
Engine Type Config Inline 4 Cylinder (I4) OHV 8-Valve Turbodiesel Inline 4 Cylinder (I4) OHV 8-Valve Diesel
Engine Config 2.5 J2T Inline-4 Turbodiesel 2.7 J2 Inline-4 Diesel Naturally Aspirated
Spec K2500 K2700
Valves Per Cylinder 2 2
Intercooler Yes No
Launch Control No No
Rev Matching No No
Performance Data Logger No No
Fuel Consumption Combined 10.5 9.5
Engine Start Stop No No
Engine Start Stop Button No No
Engine Start Button Illumination No No
Engine Check Warning Yes Yes
Gear Shift Type Manual Manual
Ground Clearance Unladen 195 195
Drag Coefficient 0.46 0.45
Payload Capacity 1520 1220
Stabilizer Bar Yes Yes
Steering Response Normal Normal
Skid Plates No No
Side Steps No No
Spare Wheel Full-Size Spare Full-Size Spare
Tyre Repair Kit No No
Seatbelt Pre Tensioner Yes Yes
Seatbelt Reminder Yes Yes
Stability Control No No
Speed Limiter Yes Yes
Speed Alert System No No
Impact Sensing Door Unlock Yes Yes
Surround View Monitor No No
Adaptive Dampers No No
Wireless Charging No No
Voice Command No No
Voice Command Support No No
Digital Speedometer No No
Heads Up Display No No
Tachometer Yes Yes
Trip Computer Yes Yes
Multi Function Steering No No
Steering Mounted Controls No No
Air Conditioning No No
AC Type No No
Climate Control No No
Climate Zones 1 1
Rear Air Conditioning No No
Glovebox Cooling No No
Seat Type Vinyl Seats Vinyl Seats
Driver Seat Height Adjustment No No
Rear Seat Split No No
Headrest Adjustable Yes Yes
Front Armrest No No
Vanity Mirror No No
12V Accessory Socket Yes Yes
Front Power Outlet No No
Rear Reading Lamps No No
Keyless Entry No No
Push Button Start No No
Push Button Start No No
Remote Start No No
Remote Central Locking Yes Yes
Door Ajar Warning Yes Yes
Fuel Lid Opener Manual Manual
Boot Opener Manual Manual
Power Windows No No
Power Mirrors No No
Heated Mirrors No No
Electric Folding Mirrors No No
Electric Mirror Folding No No
Remote Side Mirror No No
Auto Dimming Mirror No No
Rain Sensing Wipers No No
Rear Window Defroster No No
Rear Defogger No No
Follow Me Home Headlamps No No
Tail Lamps No No
Automatic Headlamps No No
Headlamp Height Adjust Yes Yes
Headlamp Washer No No
Sunroof No No
Panoramic Roof No No
Roof Antenna Yes Yes
Rear Wing No No
Chrome Grille No No
Chrome Exterior Highlights No No
Ride Mode Selection No No
Electric Tailgate No No
Powered Tailgate No No
Engine Warranty 5 Years / 150,000 km 5 Years / 150,000 km
Service Plan 1 Year / 15,000 km 1 Year / 15,000 km
Service Reminder Yes Yes
Trim Level top flagship
Variant Role Commercial utility derivative Flagship / premium derivative
Diff Lock No No
Difflock No No
Vdc No No
TPMS No No
Sonar No No
Automatic High Beam No No
Steering Column Adjustment Tilt and Telescopic Tilt and Telescopic
Tilt Steering Tilt and Telescopic Tilt and Telescopic
Telescopic Steering Tilt and Telescopic Tilt and Telescopic
Bottle Holders 2 2
Glove Box Yes Yes
Manual Aircon No No
Intelligent Keyless Entry No No
Wireless Charger No No
Lift Gate No No
Electric Fold Indicator Mirrors No No
Power Socket 12v Yes Yes
Sound System 2 2
Roof Rack Compatibility No No
Mirror Manual Manual
Rim Size 195R15C 185R14C
Stabilizer Bar Front Yes Yes
Stabilizer Bar Rear No No
Sub Frame Body-on-Frame Body-on-Frame
Vehicle To Grid - -
Vehicle To Load - -
One Pedal Driving - -
Regenerative Braking - -
Regenerative Braking Levels - -
Rear Electric Motor - -
Battery Preconditioning - -
Source Model Column k2500 k2700
Battery Voltage - -
Intelligent Battery System - -
Front Diff Lock - -
Rear Diff Lock - -
Loadbox Depth Mm - -
Load Bed Cover - -
Load Bed Light - -
Load Bed Steps - -
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets - -
Bed Extender - -
Canopy Fitment - -
Sports Bar - -
Tailgate Damper - -
Tailgate Lock - -
Tow Bar Type - -
Sport Plus Mode - -
Unlocking No No
Walk Away Lock No No
Walk Away Auto Door Lock No No
Rear LED Combination Taillights No No
Front Wiper No No
Front Wipers Type No No
Rearview Mirror Inside No No
Vanity Mirror Illuminated No No
Reading Lights Rear No No
Centre Console No No
Side Impact Bars Yes Yes
Hill Start Assist No No
Driver Display Analogue Cluster Analogue Cluster
Remote Engine Start No No
Auto Dimming Irvm No No
Aero Kit No No
Common Rail Injection Direct Injection Turbodiesel Direct Injection
Passive Entry Start No No
Loadbox Rope Hooks - -

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

K2500 leads by 2 points

Both K2500 and K2700 are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Winner 41 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 80% confidence
41
#1 Winner

K2500

80% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 78 Check Safety 0
Performance 41
Efficiency 40
Safety 0
Practicality 78
Ownership 49
Leads by 2 points
39
#2

K2700

80% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 74 Check Safety 0
Performance 32
Efficiency 43
Safety 0
Practicality 74
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 +4 Ownership Level

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

K2500

Performance 41/100
Efficiency 40/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 78/100
Ownership 49/100

K2700

Performance 32/100
Efficiency 43/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 74/100
Ownership 49/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 KIA K2500 wins with 41 pts vs 39 pts for K2700

In structured scoring, K2500 emerges as the stronger overall package. However, K2700 may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the K2500 edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: K2500 40 vs K2700 43. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: K2500 0, K2700 0. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: K2500 49, K2700 49. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: K2500 78, K2700 74. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: K2500 41, K2700 32. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The K2500 edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The K2500 scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between K2500 and K2700 in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: K2500 scores 41 vs 32.

Efficiency: K2500 scores 40 vs 43.

Safety: K2500 scores 0 vs 0.

Practicality: K2500 scores 78 vs 74.

Ownership: K2500 scores 49 vs 49.

Final structured scoring gives K2500 the advantage in this comparison.