KIA K2700 vs Lexus NX

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 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
VS
Lexus NX in South Africa

Lexus NX

NX 350 F SPORT Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,276,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 205 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

KIA K2700 vs Lexus NX: the short answer

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

K2700 starts ZAR 722,205 cheaper K2700 from ZAR 351,995 · NX from ZAR 1,074,200

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification K2700 NX
Maximum Power K270056 kW @ 3200 rpm NX205 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque K2700152 Nm @ 2000 rpm NX430 Nm
Engine Size K27002665 cc NX2400 cc
Combined Fuel Economy K270010.5 km/l NX12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance K2700195 mm NX195 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

K2700

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

NX

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

K2700

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

NX

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec K2700 NX
Model Introduced Year 1997 2023
Generation Long-running light commercial vehicle; established in SA commercial fleet market Second-generation Lexus NX mid-size luxury SUV
Facelift History Updated in 2005, 2012; current model ongoing production with specification updates Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives
Facelift Launched Since 2012 Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives
Facelift Version Ending Current Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style Van SUV
Color Note White (standard fleet specification) -
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active published
Segment Van Luxury SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1880 kg 1760-1860 kg
Vehicle Type Van SUV
Spec K2700 NX
Length 4870 mm 4660 mm
Width 1840 mm 1865 mm
Height 2060 mm 1670 mm
Wheelbase 2685 mm 2690 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 195 mm 195 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 145 mm -
Fuel Tank Capacity 70 l 55 l
Boot/Cargo Space 3000 l 520 l
Kerb Weight 1880 kg -
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2850 kg 2370 kg
Payload Capacity 1300 kg -
Towing Capacity 1180 kg 1000 kg
Seating Capacity 2 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 1 rows -
Doors 2 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 11.4 m 5.8 m
Front Headroom 1010 mm -
Rear Headroom Not Applicable -
Front Legroom 1040 mm -
Rear Legroom Not Applicable -

In depth: how these cars differ

This K2700 and NX 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: K2700 32 vs NX 86.

Efficiency index: K2700 43 vs NX 49.

Safety-equipment index: K2700 0 vs NX 93.

Practicality index: K2700 68 vs NX 65.

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

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

NX leads by 38 points

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

Evidence leader 75 /100
Lead 38 points
Data 70% source coverage
75
#1 Evidence leader

NX

70% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 86
Efficiency 49
Safety 93
Practicality 65
Leads by 38 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 NX +54 Efficiency NX +6 Safety NX +93 Practicality K2700 +3

Large difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

NX

Performance 86/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 65/100

K2700

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Lexus NX leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts vs 37 pts for K2700

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

K2700 vs NX 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.